The Children and Families Specialty Plan (CFSP), a new health care initiative for children, youth, and young adults involved with child welfare in North Carolina, began operations today. The plan will serve approximately 32,000 individuals who are currently or were formerly part of the child welfare system.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) is managing the CFSP under the name Healthy Blue Care Together. This marks the first time a single, statewide NC Medicaid Managed Care plan has been created specifically for this population. The program aims to provide seamless and coordinated health care services across the state.
NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai stated, “The Children and Families Specialty Plan is another example of NC Medicaid’s innovative efforts to provide seamless, integrated, and coordinated care to some of the state’s most at-risk people. This plan ensures there is a unified system of care and accountability when it comes to improving the wellbeing of children living with the most complex challenges.”
Healthy Blue Care Together will operate throughout North Carolina. It is designed so that beneficiaries can continue receiving needed health services—including behavioral health—even if their placements change within the state.
Angela Boykin, CEO of Healthy Blue and Healthy Blue Care Together, said: “Launching Healthy Blue Care Together is more than an operational milestone—it’s a promise to North Carolina’s children, youth, and families who have experienced the child welfare system. We’re proud to work alongside our partners at the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, local departments of social services, health care providers and community organizations across the state to help our members access the care they need, when and where they need it.”
Key features include operation as a single statewide entity that manages beneficiary health care needs; collaboration with county departments of social services (DSS), local stakeholders, and families; comprehensive coverage including physical health, behavioral health, pharmacy benefits, long-term services and supports (LTSS), intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) services; assignment of a dedicated care manager within 24 hours for each enrollee; coordination among service providers; support during transitions such as changes in placement or treatment settings; family-focused preventive approaches intended to strengthen families and reduce foster care entry or re-entry.
More information about Healthy Blue Care Together can be found on its website or by contacting Member Services at 833-777-3611 (TTY 711).
