12/13/2025
📣 Advocacy Works—and This Is Proof.
On Tuesday, December 9, Governor Josh Stein announced that North Carolina will repeal the Medicaid rate cuts that went into effect on October 1. These cuts, first announced by DHHS in August, included a 3% reduction to occupational therapy reimbursement on top of already historically low rates. Providers will receive retroactive reimbursement for the time the cuts were in place.
This outcome did not happen by chance.
After countless hours of coordinated advocacy with legislators, DHHS leadership, and the Governor’s office, NCOTA was invited to participate in the official press conference announcing the repeal—ensuring occupational therapy had a seat at the table.
NCOTA Vice President Clarice Grote attended the press conference and shared the following statement for the official press release:
“Medicaid recipients of all ages depend on occupational therapy services to support them in their daily lives,” said NC Occupational Therapy Association (NCOTA) Vice President Clarice Grote. “NCOTA is grateful to the Governor for today’s announcement.”
The rate cuts were initially proposed in response to a reported $800 million Medicaid budget shortfall. While this repeal is an important win, the work is not over. NCOTA will continue advocating for full Medicaid funding and meaningful rate increases that reflect the value of occupational therapy and protect access to care across North Carolina.
💪 This level of advocacy requires strength in numbers.
Membership directly strengthens NCOTA’s ability to respond to policy threats, engage in high-level advocacy, and protect OT practice in our state.
If you’re not yet a member, now is the time to join. If you are a member—thank you for making this work possible, and please encourage a colleague to join as well.
✨ Together, we are stronger, louder, and more effective.
👉 Join NCOTA today to strengthen our advocacy.
