Community Care of North Carolina: Putting Health Reform Ideas into Practice in Medicaid - Policy Brief

As discussion around national health reform continues, state experiences can provide important lessons to help inform national reform efforts. Since 1998, North Carolina has been implementing an enhanced medical home model of care in its Medicaid program called Community Care of North Carolina (CCNC). CCNC puts many of the ideals that have been articulated for broad health reform into practice. Beyond linking individuals with a provider as a medical home, it incorporates a heavy emphasis on care coordination, disease and care management, and quality improvement. Evaluations of the program suggest it has resulted in both improved care and cost savings. As such, CCNC not only provides important lessons for broad reform efforts, but also demonstrates the Medicaid program’s ability to incorporate quality improvement strategies that enhance its ability to provide coordinated, cost effective care to low-income individuals with significant health needs.