Medicaid Member E-Newsletter - April 2026

E-News is now quarterly

We want to make sure you’re getting just the right amount of information from us. So, we’ve decided to share our E-News every three months instead of every other month.

Now, you’ll get your E-News in January, April, July and October. This will allow us to share other important information as it arises without overwhelming our readers. 

We hope you find value in the information we share, how often we share and the ways we share it. If you have any thoughts or suggestions about ND Medicaid Member E-News, you can share at medicaidmembers@nd.gov. 

Thank you for being one of our valued readers.

Rural Health Transformation Program updates

On Nov. 3, 2025, North Dakota (ND) applied for the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The RHTP will give ND federal funding to transform our rural health care system. 

The RHTP will strengthen the rural health workforce, bring health care closer to home, improve disease prevention and nutrition efforts and use technology and data to better connect patients and providers. 

Over five years, ND may be able to get up to $1 billion. On Dec. 29, 2025, ND was awarded nearly $199 million for 2026. These funds must be assigned to specific projects by Oct. 1, 2026, and spent by September 2027.

On Jan. 21, 2026, a special Legislative session decided how funds will be used. Lawmakers approved to spend up to $398 million on this program across the first two years. $19.1 million will be used to make ND healthy again. $44.4 million will help strengthen and stabilize our rural health workforce. $101.4 million will bring high-quality health care closer to home. $34 million will better connect providers and patients through technology and data. 

On April 22, three new grant opportunities were announced. This includes a Zero-Hour Physical Education initiative that will provide rural middle and high school students with physical activity opportunities at the beginning of their school day. Another of these is the Community Gardens Project that will support rural community garden development. Lastly, the Community-Based Walking Programs will offer leadership, activities, achievement recognition and recruiting of participants. 

North Dakota Health and Human Services will manage the funding. Grant opportunities opened in March. 

Sign up for regular RHTP updates

Behavioral health rehabilitative services

Behavioral health rehabilitative services help change and replace unwanted behavior. They also improve life skills. They use methods to encourage positive behavior.

Social workers, counselors and psychologists can offer these short-term services. These health care workers must be enrolled with ND Medicaid. Some services include:

  • Assessments
  • Intervention
  • Counseling
  • Skill training 

Some of these services have a yearly limit on how much they can be used. However, you can get these services if they are medically needed. You can talk to your primary health care provider to learn more.

Health Tracks gets a new name

In September, we announced that our Health Tracks team is now called our Quality Outreach Team. 

Health Tracks focused on children’s preventive services. This name made the team’s services sound like they were a Medicaid program of their own. The team’s mission has grown to advance health and quality outcomes for our entire member population. 

Quality Outreach Team better reflects the dedicated work of this team. 

We want to support our members in reaching our Quality Outreach Team. So, we’ve also updated their contact information. You can now use the following ways to reach our Quality Outreach Team:

Connect with us in your community

Our Quality Outreach Team is dedicated to advancing your health outcomes. You can connect with our Quality Outreach Team at the following community events:

  • Midwest Kids Fest
    • Date: June 5, 2026
    • Time: 11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
    • Location: Island Park, 302 7th St. S., Fargo, ND
  • Blue Goose Days
    • Date: June 6, 2026
    • Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
    • Location: Chahinkapa Zoo, 1004 Rj Hughes Dr., Wahpeton, ND 

Stay well ND

Warm weather is heading our way. Now is a great time to consider better eating and more movement. 

You can lower your risk of chronic disease with a healthy diet and exercise. The list below shows how likely you are to avoid chronic disease with either diet or exercise. These rates are based on doing 150+ minutes of moderate aerobic exercise and two days of strengthening or eating a healthy diet every week. 

  • Anxiety
    • Diet: 20-30%
    • Exercise: 25-35%
  • Breast cancer
    • Diet: 9-14%
    • Exercise: 12-30%
  • Colon cancer
    • Diet: 30-40%
    • Exercise: 24-40%
  • Dementia
    • Diet: 20-35%
    • Exercise: 28-45%
  • Depression
    • Diet: 20-30%
    • Exercise: 20-35%
  • Heart disease/Stroke
    • Diet: 20-40%
    • Exercise: 30-40%
  • High blood pressure
    • Diet: 5-50%
    • Exercise: 30-50%
  • Obesity
    • Diet: 30-60%
    • Exercise: 30-50%

Get the most from your customer support experience

The Customer Support Center (CSC) is here to serve you! We can help you apply for Medicaid, keep your coverage and use the services we offer. We want you to have the best experience when calling us. 

You may experience longer waiting times: 

  • When a change to coverage or eligibility causes many members to be concerned at the same time
  • During times of high demand such as open enrollment (November through February)

You can avoid longer waiting times by calling us:

  • In the mornings before 9:30 a.m. 
  • Later in the week, Wednesdays - Fridays
  • Later in the month

Prepare to call us by:

  • Having your Medicaid ID number (on your Medicaid card) or case number (on your notices)
  • Carefully reading all your notices
  • Being aware of any deadlines you have
  • Keeping notices with you that relate to your call 
  • Writing down all your questions

Alternatives to the CSC are the:

Other helpful tips include:

  • Report any household or employment changes as soon as they happen. This includes:
    • Address
    • Phone number
    • Email address
    • Household members
    • Income or employment
  • Submit your documents correctly:
    • Include all pages
    • Send the front and back of each page when needed
    • Make sure they are clear and readable
    • Provide all signatures needed
    • Consider using the Self-Service Portal, email or bringing them to a human service zone office
  • Plan ahead for your non-emergency medical travel:
    • Request travel at least three days before you need a ride:
      • Know when you need to refill prescriptions
      • Know your due date for getting lab test done
      • Know when you will run low on medical supplies
    • Request travel as soon as you schedule an appointment

Help us improve your member experience

The Customer Support Center (CSC) continues to take feedback from our Medicaid Member Engagement Committee (MMEC) and other sources to improve your experience. If you want to help us improve your experience, consider joining the MMEC today.

You can contact the Customer Support Center, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CT:

Finding help on our website

We understand that getting fast ND Medicaid help may be difficult. You may find contact information on our website for many of our staff and programs. 

Most of our staff do not have access to your coverage information. Emailing staff who do not have access to your coverage information will cause delays. This could also lead to issues with your coverage. 

You should connect with the Customer Support Center (CSC) unless you were directed to contact a specific staff member. The CSC can help you with your coverage questions, updating your information and more. The CSC is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. CT: