Benchmarks' Upcoming Events & Webinars

Benchmarks' Foster, Adoption, Residential Webinar

Date: Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Time: 9:00 am thru 10:00 am

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New: Benchmarks' Child Welfare Webinar with Lisa Cauley & Team

Date: Thursday, June 8, 2023

Time: 8:00 am thru 9:00 am

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New: Benchmarks' Friday Membership Webinar with Jay Ludlam

Date: Friday, June 16, 2023

Time: 8:30 am thru 9:30 am

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New: Benchmarks' Medicaid Forum

Date: Wednesday, June 21, 2023

Time: 9:00 am thru 10:00 am

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Save the Date! Benchmarks --Destination 2023--

Date: October 11, 12, & 13

Location: Cherokee Convention Center, 123 Harrah's Service Dr, Cherokee, NC 28719

(More information will be shared SOON!)

Benchmarks' Collection of Past Updates

Short Notice: Feedback due Monday!

Records Management and Documentation Manual

We received this communication because we participated in the collaborative effort between DHHS, LME/MCOs, and provider organizations to update the RMDM completed in 2019, or have been involved in ongoing discussions related to the posting timeline of the publication. The revision included essential elements needed to support the shifts in North Carolina’s service delivery infrastructure; however, the COVID pandemic response and sustained efforts related to the delivery of whole-person integrated care have delayed the publication of the RMDM. Given the changes in service delivery that have occurred since the drafting of the 2019 revision, we are requesting your assistance to identify any critical updates for inclusion before release.

Please review the document here, make track changes and comments for CRITICAL updates and submit any ideas you have for future recommendations to Tara Fields by COB Monday, May 22, 2023 and she will forward through the available channel for our association.

RMDM Draft

Monday: Meeting to Discuss Collaborative Approach to Bed Board and Intake Packets Among LME/MCOs 

The NC Child and Family Improvement Initiative (NCCFII), comprised of LME/MCOs, would like to request a joint meeting with RRF, NCPC, and Benchmarks to discuss expansion and build out of RRF’s work in developing bed boards for a number of LME/MCOs as well as the notion of further standardizing associated referral and intake packets in such a way that aligns with the existing work.

In January 2023, the LME/MCOs launched the statewide standardized referral form in order to streamline the child residential referral process. That form was developed in partnership with a number of key stakeholders. The LME/MCOs would like to replicate the collaborative and provider-centric approach that was taken in developing the standardized referral form as they progress this work.

There is recognition that creating a standardized intake packet requires a more complex evaluation of the information needed to streamline the process. The LME/MCOs fully recognize there may be a variety of reasons that a program requires a different intake approach such as specialization of services and requirements of accrediting bodies. However, they would still like to explore the possibility of a foundational intake packet in order to streamline the administrative burden for those agencies and individuals who are legally responsible for placing the child. They also recognize that any standardization must align with the databases and systems being used to track beds and make referrals.

The meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 22, 2023 from 1:30 pm thru 2:30 pm. Please reach out to Jamie Bazemore if you would like to be invited and added to the group.

Provider Reverification and Billing Modifications Reminders

Provider Reverification

The federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) ends today, May 11, 2023. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) allows all providers for whom reverification was delayed due to the federal COVID-19 PHE a specified period to complete the reverification process.

Providers for whom reverification was delayed are being organized into groups to ensure the timely completion of the reverification process.

• The Department reviewed the inventory backlog of provider reverifications that were paused during the PHE. Approximately one third of participating providers will be impacted over the next six months and will be required to respond to the mandatory reverification process.
• Providers should monitor their secure NCTracks Message Inbox for notifications and the Re-verification section of their NCTracks Status and Management page for the option to reverify.

Billing Modifications

Beginning with date of service May 12, 2023, NC Medicaid will end the temporary emergency flexibilities implemented for the disposition of three claims processing edits. The affected edits include:

Edits 02437 and 02425 – “Service Facility Provider Invalid or Not Active on Dates of Service” and “Service Facility Provider Invalid or Not Active on Dates of Service. QMB Recipient” will change from pay and report to deny, as NPI validation will be required once the PHE ends.

These edits were relaxed during the pandemic to permit any individual practitioner to deliver services at locations not enrolled in NC Medicaid. Providers are encouraged to ensure service facility providers reported on claims are actively participating with NC Medicaid to avoid a claim denial.

Edit 07025 – “Rendering Provider Not Affiliated with Billing Provider” will change from pay and report to deny, as the requirement for an individual provider to affiliate with a billing organization will also be required once the PHE has ended. This edit was relaxed during the pandemic to permit any provider group to bill on behalf of an individual provider delivering services at another location/group practice with which the individual is not affiliated.

For more information, please see Medicaid bulletin Provider Reverification and Billing Modifications Reminder.

Invitation to Comment on the draft NCDHHS Strategic Housing Plan

We are writing to inform you about the posting and public comment period opening for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services' (NCDHHS) Strategic Housing Plan. This Plan aims to improve housing stability and access to safe, affordable, and quality housing for North Carolinians.

NC DHHS developed the Plan through working groups made up of a diverse set of partners and advocates over the course of 2021-2022. We believe that your input and feedback are critical to the success of this plan, and we welcome your comments and suggestions. Your valuable insights will help us develop a comprehensive and effective Strategic Housing Plan that meets the needs of our communities.

The comment period date range is May 10-24, 2023, until close of business (COB). During this time, you can view the Strategic Housing Plan on the NCDHHS Transitions to Community Living website and provide your feedback by emailing tclolmstead.housing@dhhs.nc.gov.

We encourage you to share this information with your colleagues, community members, and other partners who may be interested in commenting on the Plan.

Thank you for your interest in the draft NCDHHS Strategic Housing Plan, and we look forward to your comments.

Request for Applications - Statewide Peer Warm Line

DMH/DD/SUS has released a Request for Applications (RFA) of a Statewide Peer Warmline where anyone can call and talk to a Certified Peer Support Specialist 24/7. Applications will be received until 5:00 p.m. on June 23, 2023, and applicants must be a Consumer Operated Provider. There will be a bidders' teleconference on Tuesday May 23, 2023. Direct all questions and the application to: 988info@dhhs.nc.gov.  

Expiration of Temporary Construction Waivers for Mental Health Facilities

Please see the attached memo related to the May 11, 2023, expiration of temporary waivers or modifications of enforcement of the construction, design, and physical plant requirements of mental health, developmental disability and substance abuse facilities.

Read Here

Become an NHSC Site! Determine Your Eligibility and Review Resources

We invite you to apply to become a National Health Service Corps (NHSC) approved site and join our effort to provide outpatient, primary health care services to people in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). As an NHSC-approved site, we can assist you in recruiting, hiring, and retaining clinicians.

The new site application cycle is for sites that:

• Have never been NHSC-approved, including sites that have applied and had their application denied or canceled
• Are currently inactive for NHSC due to expiration or past compliance issues

The application is open now through Thursday, June 22 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Learn How to Apply

FEATURE: The Importance of Alcohol Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment in Closing the Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment Gap

Decades of research have firmly established the importance of asking primary care patients about their alcohol use, providing brief advice about reducing alcohol misuse, and referring them to appropriate alcohol treatments, as necessary. Studies consistently find that these practices, known collectively as alcohol screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment, can be used effectively by providers across the health care spectrum to prevent or reduce alcohol misuse among their patients.

Read More

Upcoming Webinars & Events

New: Monday, May 22, 2023

Joint DMH/DD/SUS and DHB Consumer Webinar

Time: 2:00 pm thru 3:00 pm

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New: Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Solving Behavioral Health Service Delivery Challenges: Why You Need To Be Thinking About AI…

Time: 1:00 pm thru 2:00 pm

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New: Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Multiple Dates Available (See picture above)



Free Crisis Intervention Training Opportunity for Children & Youth Providers!

Time: 9:00 am thru 1:00 pm

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New: Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Benchmarks' Foster, Adoption, Residential Committee Webinar

Time: 9:00 am thru 10:00 am

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New: Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Learn how to support the health and well-being of kids in your care

Time: 12:00 pm thru 1:00 pm

Join Here

New: Wednesday & Thursday, May 24 & 25, 2023

Face-to-Face Person-Centered Thinking: A 12-Hour Training

Time: 9:00 am thru 4:00 pm (Both Days)

Location: Elliott University Center, 507 Stirling Street, Greensboro, Kirkland Room

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New: Thursday, May 25, 2023

NCDHHS Military Appreciation Celebration

Time: 10:00 am thru 11:00 am

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New: Thursday, May 25, 2023

Mentoring Youth in Foster Care

Time: 1:00 pm thru 2:00 pm

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New: Thursday, May 25, 2023

Virtual Lecture on the Power of Prevention To Enhance Well-Being 



Time: 12:00 pm thru 1:15 pm

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New: Thursday, June 1, 2023

Joint DMH/DD/SUS and DHB Provider Webinar

Time: 3:00 pm thru 4:00 pm

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New: Thursday, June 8, 2023

Benchmarks' Child Welfare Webinar

Time: 8:00 am thru 9:00 am

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New: Thursday & Friday, June 15 & 16, 2023

Reconnect for Resilience in Healthcare: 2-Day Virtual Training

Time: 9:00 am thru 5:00 pm

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New: Friday, June 16, 2023

Benchmarks' Friday Membership Webinar



Time: 8:30 am thru 9:30 am

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New: Friday, June 16, 2023

Medical Care Advisory Committee

Time: 10:30 am thru 12:30 pm

Join Here

New: Tuesday, June 20, 2023

CMS-Monthly North Carolina Stakeholder Call

Time: 11:00 am thru 12:00 pm

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New: Tuesday, June 20, 2023 & Thursday, June 22, 2023

CWLA Virtual Rural Summit-The Power of Relationships in Advancing Child and Family Well-Being: Lessons from Rural Communities

Time: 1:00 pm thru 4:00 pm

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New: Wednesday, June 21, 2023

Benchmarks' Medicaid Forum

Time: 9:00 am thru 10:00 am

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