Medical Help in North Carolina

Resources in Spanish and English. Contact information and healthcare requirements for community clinics, doctors, dentists, and other healthcare professionals offering free or low-cost medical services in North Carolina.

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Access to health programs

All people are eligible for federally funded community health centers in North Carolina. Care must be provided regardless of legal immigration status.

Community health center or low-cost clinics

At the end of the text, we've included articles with links to health centers, clinics, and resources. You'll find relevant information about the type and cost of medical care they offer and how to access health services and medications.

For a list of community health centers near you, visit: North Carolina Community Health Center Association , available only in English.

To find the health department nearest you, go to the website. NCDHHS Division of Public Health , available in Spanish.

The Hispanic Center

With the goal of helping the community residing in the Triangle area, El Centro Hispano offers Community Health and Promotion Programs , which includes, among others, a Mobile Health Unit bringing access to health care to remote areas.

Health clinics for farm workers

Farmworkers are part of a special population and may face additional risks due to their living and working conditions. Farmworker Health Program in North Carolina  (NC Farmworker Health Program) brings medical care to rural areas of the state, especially those with a higher density of agricultural workers.

Programs you can continue using

Use of ANY of the following health programs or benefits has NO effect on any immigrant's ability to obtain a green card:

Programs open to all immigrants with or without legal status:

• Emergency Medicaid
• Free health clinic services | sliding scale
• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program
• Free | Reduced-Price School Lunch
• Programs open to some immigrants, from the state: health coverage under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), Medicaid for pregnant women and children under 21

Testing, prevention, or treatment for COVID-19, also called coronavirus, They would NOT be used against immigrants in a public charge test , so families must seek the care they need.

If your children or relatives are citizens or already have green cards, they should continue to use the benefits for which they are eligible.

Health Insurance in North Carolina

If you have recently lost or can no longer afford your health insurance, or even if you are trying to buy health insurance for the first time, you have five options to ensure you and your family have access to health care in North Carolina.

• Federal Health Insurance Marketplace
• NC Medicaid and Health Choice
• Medicare
• Cobra (employer health insurance)
• Employer-sponsored health insurance

1. Federal Health Insurance Marketplace

You can check if you qualify for coverage in the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace at healthcare.gov You may be eligible if you've experienced certain life events in the past 60 days, including losing employer-based health coverage, getting married, or having or adopting a baby. You may also qualify for financial assistance. Subsidies are based on net household income for the entire calendar year and can make coverage more affordable. Many people qualify for savings.

You have 60 days from the date you lost your coverage to enroll in a health plan on the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace. You cannot be denied coverage due to pre-existing or chronic conditions like cancer or diabetes. When you enter your information on HealthCare.gov, it will tell you if you are eligible for NC Medicaid and/or Health Choice.

>>Get help from a healthcare navigator by calling 855-733-3711 or visit NCNavigator.net ,

>>Visit HealthCare.gov 

2. NC Medicaid and Health Choice

NC Medicaid and Health Choice  They always accept requests. Eligibility depends on your age, health needs, income and resources. To find out if you are eligible for Medicaid or Health Choice:

• Contact your local department of social services  O
• Visit HealthCare.gov 

Because North Carolina is one of 14 states that has not expanded Medicaid, people must also meet other requirements to qualify, such as being a child, a parent or family caregiver of a child under 18, a woman pregnant or old, blind or disabled.

3. State health insurance

If you are 65 or older or have certain types of disabilities, you may qualify for Medicare, a health insurance program administered by the federal government, and another federal health insurance program. Visited Medicare.gov , available in Spanish.

4.COBRA: the insurance you had through your employer

If you worked for an employer that had 20 or more employees, you may be able to keep your current health insurance plan. COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation) allows you to keep your same health plan and doctor network for a limited period after losing your job. Your insurer is required to notify you if you have this option. You have 60 days to decide to take it. You are responsible for paying the full premium under COBRA, which generally means this option is much more expensive than the others.

5. Employer-sponsored health insurance

If you or someone in your family is employed or in school, you can get health insurance through your employer or school. Most employers and schools have open enrollment periods, or periods of time when they allow their employees or students to sign up for health insurance or change their plan.

Free medicines in North Carolina

There are two main programs you can use to get free prescriptions in NC.

• MAP Medication Assistance Program
• NC MedAssist

MAP Medication Assistance Program

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) offers the Medication Assistance Program (MAP). 

This program is offered in free clinics and participating charities, community health centers, and rural health centers that provide access to free and low-cost medications through pharmaceutical companies for low-income, uninsured, and unaffordable patients. 

For more information on how you can obtain free prescription drugs in North Carolina and the list of medications included in the Program, see our article below.

NC MedAssist for free medications

In addition to the MAP, there is NC MedAssist,  which is a free statewide pharmacy program.

The program provides prescription and over-the-counter (non-prescription) medications. It is intended for North Carolina residents who do not have health insurance, lack access to Medicare  o Medicaid , nor private insurance. Only people with incomes below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level are eligible. For more information, visit our article below.

Clinics, Community Centers, and Health Resources in North Carolina

You can check out our information and reports on medical assistance, community clinics, doctors, and dentists that provide care to the Latino and Hispanic community in North Carolina. In some cases, care is free, in others, it is offered at a low cost.