NC H340

Authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to issue a request for proposals for a single statewide Children and Families (CAF) specialty plan to begin services no later than December 1, 2024.

Establishes the CAF specialty plan as a new Medicaid managed care option that covers behavioral health, intellectual/developmental disability, and traumatic brain injury services excluded from standard benefit plans.

Automatically enrolls eligible children in foster care, youth formerly in foster care (up to age 26), recipients of adoption assistance, and their families in the CAF specialty plan unless they opt for an alternative plan.

Creates a closed provider network for the CAF specialty plan limited to intensive in-home services, multisystemic therapy, residential treatment services, and services in private residential treatment facilities.

Authorizes area authorities to operate the CAF specialty plan under contract with the Department on a statewide basis, with counties prohibited from withdrawing from participation.