A Message from NCTracks on Behalf of NC Medicaid NC Direct Care Worker Wage and Rate Analysis

A Message from NCTracks on Behalf of NC Medicaid

 NCDHHS and the North Carolina Center on the Workforce for Health are launching a statewide analysis to better understand direct care workforce challenges, evaluate current reimbursement rates and inform future workforce and rate-setting strategies. Services in scope of this analysis are listed on NC Direct Care Worker Wage and Rate Analysis webpage.

 The specific goals of the analysis are to:

  • Evaluate current direct care worker wages and compensation;
  • Assess service utilization and workforce supply;
  • Analyze payment rates and rate-setting methodologies;
  • Compare similar occupations and other states;
  • Develop recommended wage benchmarks and related rate adjustments; and
  • Create a long-term forecasting model.

 While participation in this analysis is voluntary, provider participation is essential to ensuring an informed outcome. Guidehouse, the vendor for the Direct Care Worker Wage and Rate Analysis, will seek detailed information and input on wages, benefits, staffing, and the real-world costs of delivering services through a combination of surveys, interviews, focus groups and regional communication opportunities.

 

Survey

There will be a confidential provider survey released as part of this analysis. The survey will launch on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, and close on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, at 5 p.m. EST.  All provider data will be handled securely, kept confidential, and published only in aggregated, de-identified form. No identifiable data will be made available to the center or to NCDHHS.

 Webinars

Guidehouse will host two optional orientation webinars about this confidential provider survey, with the same content presented at both sessions.

  • Session 1 | Friday July 31, 2026 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. EST
  1. Registration Link: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/58ce6d82-d3ed-4cc5-99c9-f3ccd709392b@4ee48f43-e15d-4f4a-ad55-d0990aac660e
  • Session 2 | Monday Aug. 3, 2026 | 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. EST
  1. Registration Link: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/60c253d9-c414-46b5-b8e1-3ad97a2d716b@4ee48f43-e15d-4f4a-ad55-d0990aac660e

For more information about covered services, project background and the upcoming survey process, visit the NC Center on the Workforce for Health’s NC Direct Care Worker Wage & Rate Analysis webpage or email caregivingworkforce@ncahec.net.