Since 2016, Duplin County's uninsured rate has been an average of roughly 20%, with an increase noted in 2019 at 22% and coming back down to 20% in 2021. With Medicaid Expansion beginning in December of 2023, Duplin County hopes to see those numbers lessen even more. Per the U.S. Census Bureau (2022), at least 13.0% of Duplin County's population were foreign-born residents, meaning that residency status may play a part in the amount of our uninsured patients, as some may not qualify for insurance due to immigration status.

What's helping:

• NC Medicaid Expansion in 2023
• Presumptive Medicaid

What's hurting:

• Residency status
• Cost of health insurance
• Stigma against health insurance-that it's not needed
• Literacy level
• Insurance being offered through employer

NC Medcaid

NC Health Plans 

Duplin DSS

Medicare

• Increased employment which brings opportunities for insurance
• Increased awareness and education to the public of what insurance is and how it benefits the patient
• Providers/facilities making appropriate referrals to DSS for patients to apply for Medicaid
• Providers being knowledgeable of different types of insurance and discussing this with patients

• Education of public as to why health insurance is important and how to apply if eligibile
• Encourage application for Medicaid for maternal health visits, even if for presumptive Medicaid
• Education opportunities for staff and providers to learn more about different types of insurance as a refresher
• Reviewing process of applying for insurance with healthcare providers