SALISBURY — The Rowan County Department of Social Services will have a community forum Oct. 25 to review upcoming changes to Medicaid. 

The forum will be from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the DSS offices, 1813 E. Innes St. The forum is open to the public, including Medicaid recipients, medical providers who may have questions about the changes, and any community partners who are seeking information on the changes. 

A news release said there are now several health plans to choose from instead of one Medicaid program.

A health plan is a group of doctors, hospitals and other providers. All health plans are required to have the same Medicaid services, such as office visits, blood tests and X-rays. Health plans may also offer added services such as programs to help people quit smoking, learn to eat healthier and have a healthy pregnancy.

Each plan has its own network of doctors and health care providers. Medicaid recipients will be able to choose the health plan that is best for their needs. Everything — physical health, mental health and medicine — will come from the same health plan, a news release said. 

Each Medicaid beneficiary will choose a health plan and primary care provider, which could be a family doctor, clinic or other provider.

There are five plans available for Rowan County participants, the release said. The plans include Well Care, United Healthcare Community Plan, Healthy Blue, AmeriHealth Caritas and Carolina Complete Health. Representatives of each plan will be at the forum to answer questions. 

An enrollment broker from Maximus will be present, too, to provide assistance to Medicaid recipients in choosing the right health plan to meet individual and family needs. The enrollment broker is stationed at Rowan County DSS from Monday through Friday until February to assist beneficiaries in reviewing the plans and making a selection.  

More information about the health plans can be found at ncmedicaidplans.gov/choose/compareplans.

Enrollment is available at www.ncmedicaidplans.gov, by using the N.C. Medicaid Managed Care mobile app or by calling toll free 833-870-5500 (TTY: 833-870-5588). Enrollment forms can also be mailed or faxed to complete the process.

The enrollment deadline is Dec. 13. The health plan coverage will start Feb. 1. 

Beneficiaries who fail to pre-enroll will be automatically enrolled with a plan and provider. It is to the recipient’s benefit to pre-enroll so that they may select their providers, a news release said.