 |
Vaccine Distribution Office Hours for Provider - Dec. 22
Office Hours with DHHS to Discuss the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020 6-7 p.m. Join Zoom Webinar Phone access (646) 558 8656 (New York) (312) 626 6799 (Chicago) Meeting ID: 131 899 801 One-tap mobile access +16465588656,,131899801# For more information on the vaccine distribution plan and resources to discuss the vaccine with your patients, visit
FOLLOW UP: Supported Living 2&3 Stakeholder Meeting
Dear Supported Living Stakeholders,
Thanks so much for joining our quarterly meeting on Friday, December 11th from 1:00pm - 3:00pm. If you weren't able to attend or even if you were, please find the following materials for your review:
- The recording of the meeting
- All the PowerPoints presented
- Results of the Polls that were launched during the meeting. These don't show up on the recording so we took screenshots and organized them in a pdf.
Our next Innovations Supported Living 2&3 Stakeholder Meeting will be held on Friday, March 12, 2021 from 1:00pm - 3:00pm. Mark your calendars!In the meantime, we wish you a peaceful, healthy and safe holiday season!
MCO Medicaid Covered Diagnosis Effective December 16, 2020
H/T Eastpointe: NCDHB has revised the list of diagnosis codes covered by MCO's. The list is effective 12/16/20 has been published on our Claims Webpage at the link provided below.
|
New Medicaid Bulletin, Flu Campaign Materials, NCTracks Holiday Schedule
The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published a new Medicaid Bulletin article, Application Period Open for Tailored Care Management Certification. This bulletin explains that the Tailored Care Management certification process is now open, and providers may submit applications. Read more
Providers are encouraged to review this information. All bulletin articles, including those related to COVID-19, are available on DHB's Medicaid Bulletin webpage.
NCTracks Call Center Closed for Christmas and New Year's Day Holidays
NCTracks will follow the State schedule in observing the Christmas holiday. The NCTracks Call Center will be closed on Thursday, Dec. 24; Friday, Dec. 25; and Monday, Dec. 28. The NCTracks Call Center will also be closed on Friday, January 1, 2020. (The Pharmacy Prior Approval Unit will be open holiday hours from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. December 24-28 and January 1.)
Also, as previously announced, in keeping with the published NCTracks checkwrite schedule, there will be no checkwrite on Dec. 29, 2020. The last checkwrite of the year will be on Dec. 22, 2020 and the first checkwrite of 2021 will be on Jan. 5, 2021.
"Get It, Got It, Good" Seasonal Flu Campaign Materials
In North Carolina, the flu virus circulates year-round, but typically peaks Jan. or Feb. NCDHHS has launched a campaign for 2020-21 to encourage flu vaccination and educate North Carolinians about the health risks associated with seasonal flu and the importance of vaccination, especially as we face high hospitalization rates due to COVID-19. Please use any of the videos, graphics, social media posts, GIFs and images from the "Get It, Got It, Good" campaign to help emphasize the need for vaccination and how quick and easy the process is. Find the toolkit here.
Message to Providers from Dr. Betsey Tilson, NCDHHS State Health Director and Chief Medical Officer
Good afternoon, Medicaid providers:
As you may have heard, the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has been granted Emergency Use Authorization by the FDA and has been recommended by CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for people over 16 years of age. This is an exciting and historic event and marks the next phase in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the light at the end of the dark tunnel.
Supplies of the vaccine will be very limited in the beginning. The phases of a risk-based prioritization have been determined based on guidance set forth by the National Academy of Medicine and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and have been refined by the North Carolina COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee. In the first phase, health care workers at the highest risk of exposure to COVID-19 and Long Term Care staff and residents will be prioritized for the vaccine. Week 1 shipments will go to 53 health care sites across the state.
Information for providers and vaccine recipients about the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and the Emergency Use Authorization COVID-19 vaccine is available at these sites:
Vaccine information is on the NCDHHS COVID-19 website:
We appreciate your efforts to prepare for the COVID-19 vaccine, and we look forward to partnering with you to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
Third-Party Liability Medicaid and NC Health Choice Billing Guide
The latest version of the Third-Party Liability Medicaid and NC Health Choice billing guide is available:
*This is a republication of an NC Medicaid Bulletin, which can be found here.
NCTracks Issues List Updated
An updated version of the NCTracks Issues List, which documents known issues and their statuses, has been uploaded. The issue list can be found under Quick Links on the Provider Portal home page. Providers are encouraged to check this list to see if an issue they are experiencing is already known before calling in about an issue, as well as to check the status of any issue.\
New Medicaid Bulletins Available
Medicaid Bulletins Available as of Dec. 17, 2020
The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published new Medicaid Bulletin articles:
Dec. 16
Dec. 17
|
Mental Health and SUD Gap Analysis
Recently MAHEC received a 4 million dollar grant to greatly expand Mental Health and Substance Use services in Western North Carolina. As such, we realize that we need to better understand the gaps in services that exist to best tailor services to those in need.
We are most interested in obtaining information from those with their boots on the ground- i.e., those doing work occurring throughout our region that are traditionally undervalued and underrepresented in this conversation. Specifically I am looking for responses from PSS, therapists, providers, DSS, harm reduction, etc. as you interact with those in need on a daily basis.
Here (and below) is the link to the survey. It is brief, and should take less than five minutes. Please distribute it as you see fit. The more representation we have, the better.
Thank you for your service, and for helping with this very important work in our community.
|
Opportunity for tele-training in TF-CBT
An opportunity.... Due to Covid-19 social distancing policies, NC CTP has been granted temporary permission from various EBT model developers to offer our Learning Collaboratives through a virtual platform. This has created a great opportunity to engage more distant or rural agencies in EBT training.
NC CTP is currently accepting applications for TF-CBT (due January 15th); see the link, below. Increasing TF-CBT capacity in distant counties might be useful to your broader network. If so, we encourage you to forward this information along.
CPP-Cohort 7: Beginning March 2021
TF-CBT-Cohort 25: Beginning April 2021
|
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will make 134 awards from an investment of $16.8 million. State and local governments, federally recognized Tribes and tribal consortia, public and private colleges and universities, and community- and faith-based organizations will provide training for individuals and first responders on the signs and symptoms of mental disorders.
Earlier this year, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) hosted two webinars about rural-specific programs.
In the first of these one-hour presentations, speakers from the Universal Service Administrative Company, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Housing and Urban Development discuss telehealth and telecommunications connection, broadband and infrastructure development, and financing for hospitals facilities.
The second presentation features speakers from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration on mental health programs, vaccine and syringe distribution initiatives, and aging and disability support services.
Check out our new website!
Over the past few months, we worked with internal and external stakeholders gathering as much feedback as possible to ensure we are providing the best online experience possible.
|
MCO-based Direct Contracting Entity Type Announced for the Direct Contracting Model Professional and Global Options
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation is excited to announce a new type of Direct Contracting Entity (DCE) to better serve the needs of individuals dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. This new DCE type will allow Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) and affiliated organizations to better coordinate care for their dually eligible Medicaid managed care enrollees under the Direct Contracting Model Professional and Global Options. Currently, Medicaid MCOs do not have an incentive to coordinate care in a way that reduces Medicare fee-for-service costs for dually eligible beneficiaries. By better aligning incentives, the new MCO-based DCE type seeks to encourage MCOs to partner with health care providers and implement care management programs that can improve quality and reduce Medicare costs.
In early 2021, the Innovation Center expects to release a Request for Applications (RFA) for all Professional and Global DCE types, including MCO-based DCEs. This will be the first RFA under Direct Contracting to include MCO-based DCEs. MCO-based DCEs will begin participating in the model in January 2022.
For more information, please refer to the recently released "Medicaid Managed Care Organization (MCO)-based Direct Contracting Entity (DCE) Fact Sheet" on the Direct Contracting webpage at https://innovation.cms.gov/innovation-models/direct-contracting-model-options. Stakeholders can also email the model team with questions and comments at DPC@cms.hhs.gov.
CMS Issues Best Practices on SUD Health Homes
|
Watch the recorded presentation of the NIAAA 50th Anniversary Science Symposium
NIAAA is pleased to announce that viewers can now watch the complete recorded presentation of the NIAAA 50th Anniversary Science Symposium-Alcohol Across the Lifespan: 50 Years of Evidence-Based Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment Research.
You can find the lectures online in the NIH Videocast Archives:
|
SIMPLE THINGS COUNT
Seven ways to be more inclusive of people with disabilities
|
| | Emily Ladau: Be your usual self (Simple Things Count episode 1) |
|
| | Angela Hooker: Make sure your work is accessible (Simple Things Count episode 2) |
|
| | Judy Heumann: Disability is a strength (Simple Things Count episode 3) |
|
| | John Porter: Follow the principles of inclusive design (Simple Things Count episode 4) |
|
| Tom Harkin: Accept each person as a human first (Simple Things Count
episode 5) |
|
| | Leah Katz-Hernandez: Learn the appropriate etiquette (Simple Things Count episode 6) |
|
| Jessica Rafuse: Follow our lead (Simple Things Count episode 7)
|
See all episodes hereResearch Alert: The HCBS Settings Rule Improves Health and Safety
The Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Settings Rule was introduced in order to improve community integration, person-centered practices, and choice for people receiving services. Although the HCBS Settings Rule was introduced in 2014, many states and providers are still working to come into compliance.
For this reason, the aim of this study conducted by CQL | The Council on Quality and Leadership was to examine the potential impact of the HCBS Settings Rule on people with IDD's health and safety, particularly emergency room visits, abuse and neglect, and injuries.
In This Article:
- New peer-reviewed research about the HCBS Settings Rule
- Analysis of the impact the Settings Rule can have on health and safety
- Link to full research study
Read More
|
Upcoming Events
|
|
Tuesday, December 22, 2020
CMS COVID-19 Office Hours Calls
Office Hour Calls provide an opportunity for hospitals, health systems, and providers to ask questions of agency officials regarding CMS's temporary actions that empower local hospitals and healthcare systems to:
- Increase Hospital Capacity - CMS Hospitals Without Walls;
- Rapidly Expand the Healthcare Workforce;
- Put Patients Over Paperwork; and
- Further Promote Telehealth in Medicare
Time: 5:00 pm thru 6:00 pm
|
Thursday, January 7, 2021
Medicaid Managed Care Fireside Chat Webinar Series-Policy Approvals, Process Changes & Appeals
Time: 5:30 pm thru 6:30 pm
|
Friday: January 8, 2021
Dave Richard Joins Benchmarks' Friday Membership Webinar
Time: 8:30 am thru 9:30 am
|
New: Friday, January 15, 2021
SESSION 1: CMS Waivers and State Plan Amendments to Address COVID-19 (NC's Dr. Shannon Dowler will be presenting)
Time: 2:00 pm thru 3:30 pm
|
Thursday, January 21, 2021
Clinical Quality Webinar Series-TBD
Time: 5:30 pm thru 6:30 pm
|
New: Friday, January 22, 2021
SESSION 2: Provider Engagement and Education (NC's Dr. Shannon Dowler will be presenting)
Time: 2:00 pm thru 3:30 pm
|
New: Friday, January 29, 2021
SESSION 3: Patient Engagement and Education
Time: 2:00 pm thru 3:30 pm
|
New: Friday, February 5, 2021
SESSION 4: What's Next? A Roadmap for Telehealth Policy Beyond the Pandemic
Time: 2:00 pm thru 3:30 pm
|
Please click on each of the following links to view details sent out from each LME/MCO.
Benchmarks' wants to be sure to make the following list handy for our members to visit and suggests a peek at least once per week to find information that may be pertinent to your agency and contracts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
