A Message from NCTracks on Behalf of NC Medicaid Children and Families Specialty Plan Begins Today

The Children and Families Specialty Plan went live today, Dec. 1, 2025. The new health plan is the first single, statewide health plan designed to ensure access to comprehensive physical and behavioral health services for NC Medicaid-enrolled children, youth and young adults currently and formerly served by the child welfare system.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina will manage the Children and Families Specialty Plan under the name Healthy Blue Care Together. The health plan is part of North Carolina’s commitment to improve the long-term health and well-being of children in child welfare services and to strengthen and support their families.

The Children and Families Specialty Plan is designed to provide beneficiaries with seamless, integrated, coordinated health care. Having a single, statewide health plan will ensure beneficiaries have access to the health care they need mitigate disruptions in coverage and care during transitions no matter where a beneficiary is in the state. 

The Plan will provide care management to all members to support integrated, whole-person care and facilitate coordination among service providers. It will also facilitate seamless transitions for members who experience changes in treatment settings, child welfare placements, transitions to adoption, adulthood and/or loss of Medicaid eligibility.

NC Medicaid beneficiaries who are in foster care, receiving adoption assistance and enrolled in the former foster care eligibility are eligible for the Children and Families Specialty Plan.

This includes NC Medicaid enrolled:

  • Children and youth currently in foster care
  • Children and youth receiving adoption assistance
  • Young adults under age 26 formerly in foster care at age 18
  • Former foster care children in North Carolina who turned 18 on or before Dec. 31, 2022
  • Former foster care children in any state who turned 18 on or after Jan. 1, 2023
  • Minor children of these populations

Children, youth, and young adults currently or formerly served by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Family Safety Program, or meet the criteria above, were not auto enrolled in the Children and Families Specialty Plan but have the option to enroll.

For more information, please review the press release or visit the Children and Families Specialty Plan webpage.