Common Pitfalls

In the past, some people found it impossible to find health coverage that was affordable and met their needs. Now, there should be an option for almost everybody, even if you have a disability. The exact health coverage that will be right for you will depend on things like your family’s income, whether you have access to employer-sponsored coverage, your age, where you live, and whether you have a disability.

If you do not have the option of employer-sponsored coverage, you may be able to get government help to pay for an individual plan on HealthCare.gov. If you cannot afford private individual coverage, your best options will be public programs, like NC Medicaid or Medicare, if you qualify.

Note: It is very important to have health coverage, but starting in 2019 there is no tax penalty if you don't have coverage.

NC Medicaid used to be mainly for people with disabilities, seniors, children, and pregnant women. Starting in 2023, it is for anybody with low income (at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG), $1,800 per month for an individual, $3,697 for a family of four). No matter how much money you have in the bank or what your health situation is, you could qualify.

It is easy to check if you can get NC Medicaid: just go to North Carolina ePASS and fill out an application. They’ll let you know whether you qualify and help you sign up.

If you can’t get NC Medicaid, you can get health coverage through your employer or through HealthCare.gov, depending on your situation.

In the past, people feared that if they got a job while they were on NC Medicaid, they’d lose their health coverage, because they would no longer have low enough income to qualify.

Now, if you lose one health coverage option, there should be another one you can get. If you have a disability and start working, you may qualify for Health Coverage for Workers with Disabilities (HCWD), an NC Medicaid program that has no limit on earned income.

If you lose your NC Medicaid coverage, you will either become eligible for employer-sponsored coverage or private individual coverage. And, if you can’t afford the individual coverage, the government may help you pay for it.

The bottom line: There is a coverage option for everybody. Do not worry that getting a job will leave you without health coverage.

If you have a disability, there are additional ways to qualify for NC Medicaid, so you may be able to earn more money without losing your NC Medicaid coverage. Learn more in DB101's disability-based NC Medicaid article.