One-Time Direct Care Worker Bonus

The recently adopted NC Operations Appropriations Act of 2021 includes funds to give a one-time bonus for eligible direct care workers (DCWs) and support staff who provided services to Medicaid and NC Health Choice beneficiaries from March 10, 2020 through August 1, 2021. NC Medicaid is pleased to announce that after allotments for employer share of FICA, each eligible, non-licensed DCW will receive a gross bonus amount of $1.946.34. Funds were not available to allow for bonus payments to the licensed staff.  NC Medicaid started to distribute bonus amounts to providers on March 1, 2022. Provider payments to employees are anticipated to be made by mid-April.

More information is available in the provider SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #233: Direct Care Worker One-Time Bonus Payments and on the NC Medicaid Direct Care Worker Initiative webpage.