The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has extended the deadline to submit the Provider Cost & Wage Survey until Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. The survey aims to better understand direct care workforce challenges, evaluate current reimbursement rates, and guide future workforce and rate-setting strategies.
Additionally, a training session and office hours are scheduled to provide instruction and additional support.
What is happening?
- The deadline has been extended until Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, for providers to submit responses to the Provider Cost & Wage Survey launched by NCDHHS and the North Carolina Center on the Workforce for Health (the Center).
- A Self-Direction Survey Training Session: Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, from 10-11 a.m. is scheduled to demonstrate how to complete the survey.
- Guidehouse, who is partnering with the Center to conduct the work, will hold daily office hours from 9-9:30 a.m. beginning Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, through Friday, Aug. 28, 2026. Providers can join the office hours during this time using this link.
What do providers need to do?
- Providers should visit the NC Direct Care Worker Wage & Rate Analysis website to download the survey and learn more about participation requirements. All provider‑identifying information will be shared only with Guidehouse and kept confidential.
- Providers should complete the NC Direct Care Worker Wage and Rate Analysis Provider Survey. If providers have not yet started the survey, they should use the updated survey links listed below.
Updated Surveys
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- An updated survey version (v1.2, posted Aug. 13, 2026) is now available and includes provider-requested revisions, particularly for I/DD, TBI, Innovations, 1915(i), and DMH/DD/SUS-specific services, along with additional formatting improvements and clarifications.
- An HCBS “Small Provider” version and a Macro-Free version are also available. Providers who have not yet begun the survey should use the updated version.
- The Self-Direction Cost and Wage Survey is for individuals who self-direct services through Community Alternatives Program for Children (CAP/C), Community Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults (CAP/DA), and/or Innovations Waiver (Innovations).
- If providers need assistance continuing with a previously downloaded file or have technical questions, please contact the Guidehouse team at nc-analysis@guidehouse.com.
- Attend the training session and/or office hours for support and additional information.
What do providers need to know?
- The survey is supported through funding from the Department of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services (DMH/DD/SUS).
- The aim of the survey is to better understand direct care workforce challenges, evaluate current reimbursement rates, and guide future workforce and rate-setting strategies.
- Provider participation is essential to ensure the analysis captures the full cost of delivering services, and reflects the workforce realities and challenges providers face throughout the state.
Who can providers contact if they need assistance?
- For survey assistance or one-on-one support, contact nc-analysis@guidehouse.com.
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