Free Health Insurance
Full Medicaid coverage is available for most young adults who aged out of foster care
What Is Medicaid?
- Medicaid is health insurance.
- Health insurance helps pay for your healthcare. This includes yearly checkups, sick visits, dental care, vision care, mental health services, and more.
- Many young adults who aged out of foster care qualify for full coverage Medicaid.
- There are many types and categories of Medicaid. The key is to get a type with full coverage.
What Do You Need to Do to keep Your Medicaid Active?
- Tell the Medicaid caseworker about your status as an aged out foster youth. Don’t assume they know.
- Keep your contact information (phone number, address) up-to-date with your Medicaid caseworker at the Medicaid office.
- Medicaid sends information by mail about program changes or things you need to do.
- You must connect with the Medicaid office yearly to keep your Medicaid.
- Are you between 18 and 26 years old?
- Did you age out of foster care at age 18?
- Did you have Medicaid when you aged out?
- If you answered yes to all these questions, you may still be eligible for Medicaid.
Who Could You Call for Help?
- Your DSS Foster Care, LINKS, or Foster Care 18 to 21 worker
- The Child Welfare Department at DSS if your worker no longer works there
- The case worker in the Medicaid office at DSS NC Medicaid Contact Center (888-245-0179)
What You Could Say When You Call
“I was in foster care when I turned 18. I think I might qualify for Medicaid insurance.”
What Else Should You Know?
- Medicaid coverage for those who aged out of foster care ends when you turn 26
- Prior to your 26th birthday, Medicaid should reach out to you to see if you can get another type of Medicaid. You can also contact them to ask for help before coverage ends.
To learn more visit: www.ncpeds.org/fosteringhealthnc
To download a flyer with this information you can share with young adults and others, click here.
