Press Releases

NCCARE360 is the first statewide social needs referral platform in the country coordinating referrals for more than 100,000 North Carolinians to needed services since its creation in 2019

Cary, North Carolina – NCCARE360, the first statewide coordinated care network in the country that better connects people to local services and resources has reached a new milestone with more than 100,000 people in North Carolina being referred for services through the platform since its implementation in 2019.

NCCARE360 is the first statewide network that unites health care and human services organizations, assesses for and identifies unmet social needs, and enables a coordinated, person-centered approach for delivering care in North Carolina. NCCARE360 is the result of a strong partnership between the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and the Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation (FHLI). The NCCARE360 implementation team includes United Way of NC, NC 211, Unite Us, and Expound Decision Systems.

The referral for the 100,000th person was part of the rollout of the Healthy Opportunities Pilots, the nation’s first comprehensive program to pay for non-medical services, such as food and housing, for Medicaid enrollees. A community-based nonprofit providing inspections for housing safety and quality was able to provide high-priority repairs for home accessibility and safety modifications from a referral made securely through the platform.

In May 2019, one of the first referrals through the NCCARE360 Platform powered by Unite Us resulted in an individual finding employment assistance. For NCCARE360’s 1,000th referral, a Piedmont resident was referred to social services by a local health department’s WIC & Nutrition services and was able to receive help with diapers, bedding, and other necessities for their home.

“To be healthy, it is essential to have access not only to medical care but also to non-medical drivers of health like food and housing”, said Dr Elizabeth Cuervo Tilson, State Health Director and Chief Medical Officer for NCDHHS. “NCCARE360, a shared infrastructure across the state, continues to be a critical tool that improves coordination and enables a focus on whole person health.”

Platform trends show that as of November 30, 2022, the top five service needs by volume statewide were food assistance, housing and shelter support, individual and family support (e.g., childcare assistance), income support (e.g., emergency/one-time financial assistance), and utility bill payment assistance.

In addition to serving more than 100,000 people statewide, the NCCARE360 team continues to grow and support the network —especially in rural and under-resourced areas—to increase the capacity and efficiency of communities to respond to referrals. The NCCARE360 network has now surpassed 3000 organizations onboarded onto the platform and 7,500 active programs to which referrals can be made. With almost 50,000 network users actively sending and receiving referrals, almost 80% of accepted referrals are accepted in 4 days or less. 92% of referrals made as part of the Healthy Opportunity Pilots were accepted in fewer than 3 days.

“The purpose of NCCARE360 is to improve the health and well-being of all North Carolinians by recognizing there are many aspects that affect our health,” said David Reese, President and CEO of Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation. “Today’s announcement is an important step in achieving this purpose.”

Organizations interested in joining NCCARE360 as a network partner can visit www.nccare360.org for more information. People who are interested in making a connection through NCCARE360 can visit https://nccare360.org/resources/ to request assistance.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the state’s five Medicaid prepaid health plans have joined NCCARE360 — the nation’s first statewide coordinated care network connecting individuals to local services and resources.

Health plans AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina Inc., Carolina Complete Health Inc., Healthy Blue of North Carolina Inc., UnitedHealthcare of North Carolina Inc. and WellCare of North Carolina Inc. have joined the NCCARE360 network and will use the platform to coordinate whole-person care, promote health equity and address the social drivers that influence their members’ health.

“NCCARE360 is critical to the department’s goal of effectively delivering health, not just health care, by addressing the medical and non-medical drivers of health, including housing, food, transportation and interpersonal safety,” said Dave Richard, Deputy Secretary of NC Medicaid. “Medicaid health plans will use NCCARE360 to help address the unmet resource needs of their members and strengthen partnerships between health care providers and their communities.”

NCCARE360, part of the NCDHHS Healthy Opportunities initiative, will allow health plans to make electronic referrals, communicate in real time, securely share client information and track outcomes. Community members can search NCCARE360’s repository of more than 10,000 local services at nccare360.org/resources.

“We are excited to have the NC Medicaid health plans on the NCCARE360 network. The partnership will better connect North Carolina Medicaid members to the comprehensive community services they need while ultimately helping to build healthier and more equitable communities,” said Kelly Calabria, CEO and President of the Foundation for Health Leadership and Innovation, which oversees and administers NCCARE360.

Since the development of NCCARE360’s statewide network, health and human service providers in all 100 North Carolina counties have made more than 130,000 electronic referrals to connect individuals and families to the resources they need to stay healthy and well.

“This is an important partnership specifically designed to improve the overall health outcomes of more than 1.6 million of the state’s Medicaid beneficiaries, making it a natural fit for each of the state’s five Medicaid managed care health plans,” said Peter Daniel, Executive Director of the N.C. Association of Health Plans. We are proud to be a part of this network.”

More information about the transition to NC Medicaid Managed Care can be found on the Medicaid website at medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/transformation

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – NCCARE360, the nation’s first statewide coordinated  care network connecting individuals to local services and resources, announced today that NCServes, North Carolina’s technology network of public, private and non-profit  organizations serving military families, is merging its network of resources with  NCCARE360’s this summer.

“Unifying the technology and resources of NCCARE360 and NCServes brings an  improved experience for North Carolina’s military community,” said Jeff Smith, Military and Veterans Program Liaison, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. “By joining forces, we will increase the number of resources available to our  active-duty service members, veterans and their families.”

Launched in 2015, NCServes is the nation’s first statewide coordinated network of  public, private, and non-profit organizations working together to connect military service  members, veterans, and military families with providers and resources for which they are eligible. All NCServes network partners will now have access to additional NCCARE360 features and data to help them better serve military families. Implementation is currently underway, and the combined network launch is expected in mid-July of this year.
“Joining these two robust resource platforms will not only provide improved access to  services and resources for our state’s military families,” said Kelly Calabria, President  and CEO of FHLI. “But the partnership builds on NCCARE360’s mission to better address the health needs of all North Carolinians.”

About NCCARE360
NCCARE360 is the first statewide network that unites health care and human services  organizations with a shared technology that enables a coordinated, community-oriented,  person-centered approach for delivering care in North Carolina. NCCARE360 is the  result of a strong public-private partnership between the NC Department of Health and  Human Services (NCDHHS) and the Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation (FHLI). The NCCARE360 implementation team includes United Way of NC, NC 2-1-1, Expound Decision Systems, and Unite Us.

Contact
For more information about NCCARE360, or any of its partner organizations, please send an email to connect@nccare360.org.

APRIL 13, RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – NCCARE360, the nation’s first statewide coordinated care network connecting individuals to local services and resources, announced today that all seven of North Carolina’s behavioral health managed care organizations have joined the NCCARE360 network and will use the platform to coordinate whole-person care, promote health equity, and address the social drivers that influence their beneficiaries’ health. 

The seven organizations, called Local Management Entities/Managed Care Organizations or LME/MCOs, are responsible for managing and monitoring the provision of public mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and substance use disorder services for people who are uninsured or are covered by Medicaid. LME/MCOs will use NCCARE360 in the regions they serve to better connect people across North Carolina who need critical services including food, housing, transportation, mental health services, and employment.

“LME/MCOs have deep experience in serving populations with significant behavioral health needs, substance use disorders, and intellectual and developmental disabilities,” said Dave Richard, Deputy Secretary of NC Medicaid. “LME/MCOs will use NCCARE360 as the infrastructure to strengthen connectivity between care providers, case management, and community-based organizations in an effort to reduce barriers, promote equity, and deliver better health for the people they serve and their communities.”

NCCARE360 will allow LME/MCOs to make electronic referrals, communicate in real time, securely share client information, and track outcomes through the Unite Us Platform. Community members can search NCCARE360’s repository of more than 10,000 local services at nccare360.org/resources or access resources by contacting NCCARE360 Navigators through nccare360.org/request-assistance.

“We are excited to welcome the LME/MCOs to the platform and amplify their impact by quickly connecting people to multiple providers across all medical and non-medical service types and allowing them to seamlessly coordinate care across a community-wide care team,” said Danika Mills, North Carolina State Director, Unite Us.

North Carolina’s LME/MCOs recently completed a Request for Application to become Behavioral Health and I/DD Tailored Plans under North Carolina’s continued path towards Medicaid Managed Care transformation. Under Medicaid transformation, Tailored Plans will provide physical health, behavioral health, long-term care, pharmacy services and unmet health-related resource needs to qualifying North Carolinians under one plan. These plans will provide the same services as Standard Plans but will also provide additional, specialized services that serve individuals with significant behavioral health conditions, I/DDs and traumatic brain injuries. 

“As the state moves closer to launching Medicaid managed care, bringing the LME/MCOs onto the NCCARE360 platform is an exciting step,” said Kelly Calabria, CEO and President of the Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation, which oversees and administers NCCARE360. “The purpose of NCCARE360 is to improve the health and well-being of all North Carolinians by recognizing there are many aspects that affect our health. Today’s announcement is an important step in achieving this purpose.”

Since the development of NCCARE360’s statewide network, health and human service providers in all 100 North Carolina counties have made more than 100,000 electronic referrals to connect individuals and families to the resources they need to stay healthy and well.

About NCCARE360

NCCARE360 is the first statewide network that unites health care and human services organizations with a shared technology that enables a coordinated, community-oriented, person-centered approach for delivering care in North Carolina. NCCARE360 is the result of a strong public-private partnership between the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and the Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation (FHLI). The NCCARE360 implementation team includes United Way of NC, NC 2-1-1, Expound Decision Systems, and Unite Us.

Contact

For more information about NCCARE360, or any of its partner organizations, please send an email to connect@nccare360.org.  

NCCARE360 Now in All 100 Counties to Help North Carolina Respond to and Recover from COVID-19

June 22, 2020 – Through a public-private partnership, North Carolina has created the nation’s first statewide technology platform, NCCARE360, to coordinate whole-person care uniting traditional healthcare settings and organizations that address non-medical drivers of health, such as food, housing, transportation, employment and interpersonal safety. NCCARE360 is now available in all 100 counties.

“All kinds of factors can affect people’s health, and our groundbreaking and innovative NCCARE360 brings government together with the private sector to help people deal with the all the challenges of being sick with COVID-19 or any other health problem,” said Governor Roy Cooper.

Now, anyone in North Carolina can request services and be connected to an accountable organization to support their immediate and long-term needs. NCCARE360 enables health and community-based organizations to make electronic referrals, communicate in real time, securely share client information, and track outcomes together. North Carolinians who need assistance can search NCCARE360’s repository of more than 10,000 local services at nccare360.org/resources, access resources by calling 2-1-1, or complete an online form at nccare360.org/request-assistance.

“Having this critical infrastructure in place puts our state in a stronger position to address the devastating impact COVID-19 is having on so many of our residents and to help us recover. NCCARE360 brings to life the state’s vision that all North Carolinians have the opportunity for health and well-being,” said Dr. Mandy Cohen, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

NCCARE360 completed its statewide rollout six months ahead of schedule as the team fast-tracked the statewide expansion in response to COVID-19. Since the network launched in 2019, more than 1,000 organizations across the state have joined the network to connect the people they serve to the resources they need to stay healthy and well, while also ensuring accountability and tracking outcomes

“NCCARE360 is a model for the nation. It breaks down silos that create barriers to needed care and services – particularly in rural communities – and exacerbate health disparities. It was critical before COVID-19, and it is even more so now,” said Georgina Dukes, Unite Us Network Director.

Research has established that having an unmet resource need — including experiencing food insecurity, housing instability, unmet transportation needs and interpersonal violence or toxic stress — can negatively impact health while also increasing health care utilization and costs. These non-medical drivers have the greatest impact on health, yet historically the human services and healthcare systems have been fragmented and siloed. NCCARE360 breaks down those siloes, putting people at the center of service delivery.

“In order to improve the health of individuals we must have the ability to understand their unique needs and connect them to resources in their local community. NCCARE360 is playing a fundamental role in making those connections happen and the Duke Endowment is proud to support its development,” said Lin B. Hollowell III , Director of Health Care for The Duke Endowment.

Organizations that are interested in joining the network should connect at uniteus.com/join. “NCCARE360’s coordinated and comprehensive shared technology platform saves time and money for community action agencies and families served,” said Sharon C. Goodson, Executive Director of the NC Community Action Association. “It’s a long-awaited game-changer for human service delivery organizations.”

About NCCARE360 
NCCARE360 is the first statewide network that unites health care and human services organizations with a shared technology that enables a coordinated, community-oriented, person-centered approach for delivering care in North Carolina. NCCARE360 is the result of a strong public-private partnership between the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) and the Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation (FHLI). The NCCARE360 implementation team includes United Way of NC, NC 2-1-1, Expound Decision Systems, and Unite Us. Interested participants can learn more about NCCARE360 by registering for a statewide virtual meeting at www.NCCARE360.org/events.

Contact
For more information about NCCARE360 or any of its partner organizations, please send an email to connect@nccare360.org.

January 2, 2020 – NCCARE360, the statewide coordinated care network connecting individuals to local services and resources, has officially launched in 29 additional North Carolina counties. This sixth regional rollout has launched with health care and community-based organizations, including the Chatham Health Alliance, Halifax County Health Department, MANNA FoodBank, United Way of Davidson County, and Mountain Projects Community Action Agency.

Now serving a total of 50 North Carolina counties, NCCARE360 is on target to connect health and human service resources in every county and reach full statewide implementation by the end of 2020.

“What an impressive opportunity to be able to share the most vital resources aimed at improving the social determinants of health,” said Bruce Robistow, Health Director of the Halifax County Health Department. “Being able to close the loop, follow up on progress, and track outcomes are integral to providing the best of whole-person care.”

NCCARE360 is a collaborative solution to health care and service delivery systems that, in the past, have been fragmented and difficult to navigate. NCCARE360 provides a coordinated, community-oriented, person-centered approach to delivering care, and
seamlessly connects North Carolinians to behavioral health, clinical, and social service partners who are dedicated to working together to improve health and well-being.

“In my career I have seen human service agencies forced to take the ‘human’ out of our work by asking those in need to go from one agency to the next or use precious, limited cell phone minutes to find the service they need,” said Patsy Davis, Executive Director of Mountain Projects. “NCCARE360 is a long overdue solution that allows us to better meet needs with more compassion and kindness.”

NCCARE360 includes a call center with dedicated navigators powered by NC 2-1-1, and a shared technology platform powered by Unite Us, that enables providers to send and receive secure electronic referrals, communicate in real-time, securely share client information, and collect data on factors impacting outcomes and costs.

In addition to Halifax County, other counties joining the NCCARE360 network include Alexander, Buncombe, Camden, Catawba, Chatham, Cleveland, Currituck, Davidson, Davie,  Forsyth, Gaston, Gates, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Lincoln, Madison, Nash, Northampton, Orange, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Randolph, Rowan, Stokes, Transylvania, Wilson, and Yadkin.

 

 

About NCCARE360
NCCARE360 is the first statewide coordinated care network, with a robust data repository of shared resources, that connects healthcare and human services partners together to collectively provide the opportunity for health for all North Carolinians. NCCARE360 is the result of a strong public-private partnership between the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) and the Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation (FHLI). The NCCARE360 implementation team includes United Way of NC, NC 2-1-1, Expound Decision Systems, and Unite Us.

Contact
For more information about NCCARE360 or any of its partner organizations, please send an email to connect@nccare360.org.

Originally posted on The Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation

October 10, 2019 – NCCARE360, the statewide coordinated care network connecting individuals to local services and resources, has officially launched in Durham, Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance, and Warren Counties. This fifth regional rollout has launched with 94 new healthcare and community-based organizations, including Project Access, Durham County Public Health Department, ReBuild Communities, Franklin-Vance-Warren Opportunity, Inc., Centre for Homeownership and Economic Development, and El Futuro, Inc.

With growing awareness of the many social, economic, and environmental factors that influence health, it is critical to integrate services along the continuum. However, the current system to navigate these services is fragmented. When providers make referrals to other organizations, the process is often manual, time-consuming, and does not allow them to understand what happened to their client once the referral was sent.

NCCARE360 serves as a collaborative solution to this problem by providing a coordinated, community-oriented, person-centered approach to delivering care in North Carolina.

“NCCARE360 seamlessly pulls together referral partners and a community that cares. We are thrilled to participate in Durham’s launch linking traditional and non-traditional service providers to unlock the power referral-tracking to address our local healthcare needs,” shared Erika Cerwin, founder and CEO of BeSpree.

Through NCCARE360, North Carolinians are connected to behavioral health, clinical, and social service partners dedicated to working together to improve health. NCCARE360 includes a call center with dedicated navigators and a shared technology platform that enables providers to send and receive secure electronic referrals, communicate in real time, securely share client information, and collect data on factors impacting outcomes and costs.

“CAARE: The Healing Center is a non-profit community organization that relies heavily on referrals. We are excited about the NCCARE360 network and being linked with other agencies and providers. This helps us fulfill our mission of improving the quality of life for members of vulnerable populations,” stated Dr. Harvey Hinton III, executive director of CAARE: The Healing Center.

As NCCARE360’s reach continues to expand, it will be available in every county in North Carolina with full statewide implementation by the end of 2020. Implementation efforts on the ground are currently underway across the state, with 29 additional counties expected to launch this winter.

 About NCCARE360: NCCARE360 is the first statewide coordinated care network with a robust data repository of shared resources that connects healthcare and human services partners to collectively support health and wellness for all North Carolinians. NCCARE360 is the result of a strong public-private partnership between the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation (FHLI). The NCCARE360 implementation team includes United Way of NC, NC 2-1-1, Expound Decision Systems, and Unite Us. For more information visit www.nccare360.org or email connect@nccare360.org

Contact: For more information visit www.nccare360.org or email connect@nccare360.org

Originally posted on The Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation

Collaborations Continue as NCCARE360 Reaches New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender

August 28, 2019 – NCCARE360, the statewide coordinated care network connecting individuals to local services and resources, has officially launched in New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender counties. This fourth rollout has launched with healthcare and community-based organizations, including Coastal Horizons, disAbility Resource Center, NCWorks Pender and New Hanover, Pender County Christian Services, Pender County Health Department, RHA Wilmington, Smart Start New Hanover, and Step Up Wilmington.

With growing awareness of the many social, economic, and environmental factors that influence health, the network is a cutting-edge initiative that will transform care delivery in North Carolina and inform policies nationwide. This platform provides a solution to a fragmented health and human services system, by connecting providers across sectors. NCCARE360 ensures accountability around services delivered, provides a “no wrong door” approach, closes the loop on every referral made, and reports on the outcomes of that connection.

“NCCARE360 provides a unique opportunity to collaborate with service providers across North Carolina, ensuring that every North Carolinian is connected with the services they need where they live,” shared Cris Harrelson, Brunswick County Health Director.

Through NCCARE360, North Carolinians are connected to behavioral health, clinical, and social service partners, dedicated to working together to improve health. NCCARE360 includes a call center with dedicated navigators and a shared technology platform that enables providers to send and receive secure electronic referrals, communicate in real-time, securely share client information, and collect data on factors impacting outcomes and costs.

“NCCARE360 is an innovative approach born out of a grassroots effort. Community partners in every region have always worked hard to provide support and connection to resources, increasing the health and well-being of their communities. Community Care of the Lower Cape Fear supports the NCCARE360 network to provide a statewide coordinated care system, decreasing fragmentation in care and providing increased access to non-medical drivers of health including safe housing and transportation,” remarked Angela Ives, Community Care of the Lower Cape Fear Executive Director

As NCCARE360’s reach continues to expand, it will be available in every county in North Carolina with full statewide implementation by end of 2020. Implementation efforts on the ground are currently underway in Durham, Vance, Granville, Franklin, Warren, and Person counties.

About NCCARE360:

NCCARE360 is the first statewide coordinated care network, with a robust community resource repository, that connects healthcare and human services partners together to collectively provide the opportunity for health for all North Carolinians. NCCARE360 is the result of a strong public-private partnership between the NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation (FHLI). The NCCARE360 implementation team includes United Way of NC, NC 2-1-1, Expound Decision Systems, and Unite Us.

For more information visit www.nccare360.org or email connect@nccare360.org

Originally posted on The Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation

NCCARE360 Now Serving Eastern NC in Pitt, Edgecombe, Martin, Bertie, Chowan, Hertford, and Beaufort Counties

August 19, 2019 – NCCARE360, the statewide coordinated care network connecting individuals to local services and resources, is now serving Pitt, Edgecombe, Martin, Bertie, Chowan, Hertford, and Beaufort counties. This third rollout has launched with healthcare and community-based organizations, including: OIC of Rocky Mount, Access East, The REACH Center, Albemarle Alliance for Children and Families, and The Wright’s Center.

NCCARE360 creates an infrastructure to connect all North Carolinians to community resources by building a collaborative network of healthcare and human services organizations with a shared technology platform that allows for a coordinated, community-oriented, person-centered approach to delivering care in North Carolina. NCCARE360 allows providers to electronically connect those with identified needs to community resources and allow for a feedback loop on the outcome of that connection. This solution ensures accountability around services delivered, provides a “no wrong door” approach, closes the loop on every referral made, and reports on the outcomes of that connection. NCCARE360 is a groundbreaking tool that has the power to transform lives and impact communities across North Carolina.

“NCCARE360 helps community-based organizations because it automates and standardizes connecting community residents to services essential to their health and well-being,” shared Caroline Doherty, Chief Development and Programs Officer for the Roanoke Chowan Community Health Center in Hertford County.

“Eagle’s Wings Food Pantry believes this new network will help many people in Beaufort County. Many of our folks just don’t know where to go for specific assistance, and this new tool makes it possible to connect those who need with those who can help,” discussed Ann-Marie Montague, Executive Director.

North Carolina, through NCCARE360, is the first state in the country to create a shared statewide technology infrastructure and coordinated community network uniting health care and human services, enabling providers to connect North Carolinians to the resources they need to be healthy, safe and well.

Ronald Gaskins, Vice-President, Population Health Management, Vidant Health remarked, “The recent expansion of NCCARE360 will be a valuable resource as we strive to bridge the communication gap between social and medical interventions that influence health outcomes. Across Eastern North Carolina, we experience higher prevalence of chronic disease, which is only magnified by the prominent role that social determinants of health have within the disease state itself. Having NCCARE360 will help facilitate efficient coordination of services, both medical and social, and that is so important when dealing with finite resources.”

As NCCARE360’s reach continues to expand, it will be available in every county in North Carolina with full statewide implementation by end of 2020. NCCARE360 has already launched in Guilford, Alamance, Rockingham, Wake, Johnston, Pitt, Edgecombe, Beaufort, Martin, Hertford, Bertie, and Chowan counties. Implementation efforts are currently underway in New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender, Vance, Granville, Franklin, Warren, Durham, Person counties.

About NCCARE360:

NCCARE360 is the first statewide coordinated care network, with a robust community resource repository, that connects healthcare and human services partners together to collectively provide the opportunity for health for all North Carolinians. NCCARE360 is the result of a strong public-private partnership between the NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation (FHLI). The NCCARE360 implementation team includes United Way of NC, NC 2-1-1, Expound Decision Systems, and Unite Us.

Contact:

connect@nccare360.org

Originally posted on The Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation

NCCARE360 Continues to Expand in North Carolina with Rollouts in Johnston and Wake Counties

NCCARE360, the statewide coordinated care network connecting individuals to local services and resources, has officially launched in Johnston and Wake counties. This second rollout has launched with healthcare and community-based organizations, including WakeMed, NCWORKS Career Center, Johnston County Health Department, Catholic Parish Outreach, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Vocational Rehab of Raleigh & Johnston County, and NeighborHealth.

With growing awareness of the many social, economic, and environmental factors that influence health, it is critical to integrate services along the continuum. Today, however, the system to navigate these services is fragmented. When providers make referrals to other organizations, the process is often manual, time-consuming, and does not allow them to understand what happened to their client once the referral was sent. NCCARE360 is a collaborative solution to this problem providing a coordinated, community-oriented, person-centered approach to delivering care in North Carolina.

“We made a referral at 10pm and it was accepted at 8am the next morning, I was so excited to tell our client that she would get the help she needed,” says Tiffany Joseph, Celebrate Recovery Ministry Assistant at Temple. “I’ve been sharing what NCCARE360 is with everyone, family and friends because this is an amazing resource. This is really going to help so many people. I hope we get more community members to get onboard because I think it’s phenomenal.”

Through NCCARE360, North Carolinians are connected to behavioral health, clinical, and social service partners, dedicated to working together to improve health. NCCARE360 includes a call center with dedicated navigators and a shared technology platform that enables providers to send and receive secure electronic referrals, communicate in real-time, securely share client information, and collect data on factors impacting outcomes and costs.

“As the evolving world of population health continues to move outside of our medical silos and into the communities where our patients live, the NCCARE360 platform will be an essential tool that will facilitate the communication and coordination we need as a community to improve the health of our residents,” says Dr. Brian Klausner M.D from WakeMed.

As NCCARE360’s reach continues to expand, it will be available in every county in North Carolina with full statewide implementation by end of 2020. Implementation efforts on the ground are currently underway in Pitt, Edgecombe, Beaufort, Martin, Hertford, Bertie, and Chowan counties.

About NCCARE360:

NCCARE360 is the first statewide coordinated care network, with a robust community resource repository, that connects healthcare and human services partners together to collectively provide the opportunity for health for all North Carolinians. NCCARE360 is the result of a strong public-private partnership between the NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation (FHLI). The NCCARE360 implementation team includes United Way of NC, NC 2-1-1, Expound Decision Systems, and Unite Us.

Contact:

connect@nccare360.org

Originally posted on The Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation

The First Statewide Network Connecting North Carolinians to Community Resources, NCCARE360, Launches

May 7, 2019 – NCCARE360, the statewide coordinated care network connecting individuals to local services and resources, has officially launched in Alamance, Guilford, and Rockingham counties. The first rollout of the network launched with healthcare and community-based organizations, including Cone Health, Salvation Army Greensboro, Alamance Eldercare, Open Door Clinic, Greensboro Housing Coalition and Alamance Department of Public Health.

There is growing recognition that better coordination and investment in the non-medical drivers of health, like access to healthy food, safe and affordable housing, and well-paying jobs can improve health and decrease health care costs. However, people face a fragmented system of health and human services that is hard to navigate. NCCARE360 is collaborative solution to this problem by providing a coordinated, community-oriented, person-centered approach to delivering care in North Carolina.

“We all know that health happens locally and this is exactly what NCCARE360 supports,” says Anne Thomas, President and CEO of the Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation. “NCCARE360 is working closely with our communities to   ensure every partner delivering services in the state is connected.”

“To build a healthier North Carolina, we must build a system of health that unites health care and human services,” said DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen. “NCCARE360 is a scalable, coordinated solution that makes it easier for providers, insurers and community organizations to connect people with the resources they need to be healthy and delivers value for all.”

Through NCCARE360, community partners have access to a robust statewide resource data repository that will include a call center with dedicated navigators and a shared technology platform that enables health care and human service providers to send and receive secure electronic referrals, communicate in real-time, securely share client information, and track outcomes. This solution ensures accountability around services delivered, provides a “no wrong door” approach, and closes the loop on every referral made.

“NCCARE360 will help us elevate the care we provide our patients,” says Kathy Colville, healthy communities director, Cone Health. “High quality medical care combined with healthy housing and nutritious food are a prescription for good health. NCCARE360 helps us make those connections.”

“We recently received a referral indicating a lady’s home was about to be condemned. Through NCCARE360 we connected the client to another agency and her issue was tracked and resolved within 24 hours,” Says Jackie Lucas, Executive Director, Salvation Army of Greensboro Center of Hope. “NCCARE360 eliminates unnecessary barriers for the client and the provider. Now the provider can see the services the client was receiving as they deliver care for the same person.”

NCCARE360 will be available in every county in North Carolina with full statewide implementation by end of 2020. On the ground implementation efforts are currently underway in Wake and Johnston counties followed by Pitt, Edgecombe, Beaufort, Martin, Hertford, Bertie, and Chowan counties.

This post is available in PDF form. For access, click below:
NCCARE360 Launches in Alamance, Guilford, and Rockingham Counties

 About NCCARE360: NCCARE360 is the first statewide coordinated care network, with a robust data repository of shared resources, that connects healthcare and human services partners together to collectively provide the opportunity for health for all North Carolinians. NCCARE360 is the result of a strong public-private partnership between the NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation (FHLI). The NCCARE350 implementation team includes United Way of NC, NC 2-1-1, Expound Decision Systems, and Unite Us. Learn more by accessing the NCCARE360 Quarterly Report for January to March 2019.

Contact: With questions or media requests regarding this report, please message connect@nccare360.org.