Outer Banks Times

Health care carriers in the state are warning that the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services' delay in finishing Medicaid reform is costing them.

Centene, one of the major insurers, is warning that the delay could cost about $500 million in fiscal revenue for 2020. It is operating under the name of WellCare of North Carolina, the Winston-Salem Journal reports.

The insurers that are ready to participate in the state's $6 billion Medicaid managed-care reform are still staying ambitious and ready to stay committed to the end result and the initiative. 

AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina and United Health Group are the other approved insurers for the reform. 

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services said on Nov. 19 that the reform was put on hold indefinitely, with its Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen telling a legislative health care oversight committee in that the rollout could not begin without a needed $218 million to pay contractors and vendors. That funding was in the budget compromise Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed last June.

More than 2.2 million people in North Carolina are currently served by Medicaid insurance.