N.C. Medicaid spending on autism quadruples since 2022

In the past fiscal year, North Carolina and the federal government spent $544 million on autism care through the Medicaid insurance program, versus nearly $122 million in 2022, officials of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services told lawmakers Tuesday. Officials expect to spend $843 million this year and more than $1 billion next year.

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Sen. Benton Sawrey, R-Johnston, noted the money could be used for infrastructure, public education, state employee raises, or other needs. Obviously “dollars aren’t infinite,” so officials have to make choices, said Sawrey, who chaired the hearing and said he supports helping children with autism.

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Lawmakers also learned that there has been a 127% increase in referrals to the state Department of Health and Human Services’ investigative unit.

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