Welcome to our ND Medicaid Member E-Newsletter
Get the most from ND Medicaid and Health and Human Services with program updates, seasonal reminders for staying healthy, resources for help, and more! Together, we can make North Dakota the healthiest state in the nation!
This month’s issue is a reminder to take care of you! Self-care involves regular checkups and screenings but also having knowledge and a voice with your health care.
Medicaid Member Handbook highlights
Your Medicaid Member Handbook tells you about your health care coverage in a way that is easy to understand.
You can also find contact information and links to helpful webpages.
We recently added information to the following chapters:
- Behavioral Health Care and Substance Use Disorder
- Dental Care
- Durable Medical Equipment
- Emergency Health Care
- Out-of-State Services
- Where to Find Health Care
We look forward to updating you again as our work continues!
Check out your Medicaid Member Handbook
Medicaid Member Engagement Committee updates
Self-advocacy is speaking up for yourself. It's an important way to take care of you. As a member, you are the expert on your health care coverage. The Medicaid Member Engagement Committee (MMEC) is made up of members like you.
Last year, the MMEC worked on member news, the Medicaid Member Handbook, and the member engagement and resources webpage. They learned about ND Medicaid through guest speakers, shared suggestions for coverage, and worked on improving notices you receive in the mail.
The MMEC is ready for another year of work. They are taking applications from current ND Medicaid members and their caregivers, and recent members. Apply and share your voice!
Join our virtual listening session!
We invite you to help make North Dakota the healthiest state in the nation!
We want to connect with our current and recent members, caregivers of members, and others who support our members.
We also want your help to create a more supportive and meaningful Medicaid Member Engagement Committee (MMEC). Let us know what you think is working well and what could be improved with ND Medicaid.
Join our virtual listening session on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, from 3-4:30 p.m. CT, via Microsoft Teams.
The Justice Well Program has partnered with us to host this listening session and other opportunities for you to share your thoughts on ND Medicaid. The Justice Well program offers tools and support for recovery and behavioral health to individuals impacted by the justice system. We look forward to our work with Justice Well to connect with members across the state and from various walks of life.
Take control of your health care coverage!
Managing good health includes being involved in decisions about your health care coverage.
ND Medicaid follows policies to make sure we deliver fair and accurate Medicaid coverage. Policies describe what services are covered, when they can be used, how to access them, and more.
When ND Medicaid has a policy change, we offer a two-week period of time called public comment. This time allows you to comment on the proposed changes.
You can visit our Public Comment Notification webpage to learn about the public comment process. Sign up to get notices on policies open for public comment.
Being an advocate for yourself and your community during the public comment period puts you in control of your health care coverage.
Addiction recovery support is here!
If you or someone you know is looking for help in their recovery from addiction, Recovery Talk can help.
Recovery Talk is a free and private service where you can talk with a trained peer support specialist who has lived experience. Your specialist will listen and provide you support. You can call or text anytime, day or night, at (701) 291-7901.
You can also sign up to receive a call or text from a trained peer support specialist who can support you when you need it the most.
Recovery Talk is offered by North Dakota Health and Human Services.
Get Naloxone from your pharmacist
Medicaid is making it easier for you to access the life-saving medication, Naloxone. Naloxone is used to treat overdoses caused by opioid or narcotic medications.
Your pharmacist can give you naloxone without you having to visit a doctor or get a prescription first. Pharmacies enrolled with ND Medicaid may dispense over-the-counter Naloxone products at no cost to Medicaid members. Participating local public health units also have Naloxone onsite.
Colorectal cancer awareness. Screening saves lives.
Colorectal cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers. It affects both men and women. Recent trends show rates rising in younger people. People of average risk should start screening at age 45 and continue through age 75.
People of increased risk should be screened sooner and/or more often. You may be at increased risk if you have a family history with colorectal cancer, polyps, or have certain medical conditions like ulcerative colitis.
Screenings find cancer, and in some instances, can even prevent it. Your outcomes can be greatly improved by finding colorectal cancer in its early stage. There are different test options. Some tests can be done at home. Ask your primary care provider about screening options that are right for you. ND Medicaid covers cancer screening and treatment services for members.
Have you tried our Self-Service Portal?
Our Self-Service Portal (SSP) is a website where you can complete your reviews, update your information, upload documents, and view notices. Sign up or log in to get started!
Want to connect about member engagement?
Hey there! I’m Jen Sheppard, ND Medicaid’s Member Liaison. I work with the Medicaid Member Engagement Committee (MMEC), Medicaid Member E-News, our member engagement webpage, and more. You can connect with me for questions, concerns, or ideas about member engagement at medicaidmembers@nd.gov
Visit the Medicaid member engagement webpage