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Updates and Announcements
DHHS Press Release - Request for Qualifications - Expanding Testing and Contact Tracing COVID-19

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has issued a new Request for Qualifications that I am hoping you will share with your networks and colleagues.
 
NCDHHS is seeking to create a pool of qualified vendors to support the response to COVID-19 by providing diagnostic and antibody testing including specimen collection and laboratory processing, and contact tracing.
 
The Department is prioritizing working with minority-owned business vendors or vendors who retain a diverse workforce. All vendor applicants must be able to demonstrate the ability to support focused testing and tracing efforts for historically marginalized populations.  African Americans and LatinX/Hispanic communities make up a disproportionate number of North Carolina's COVID-19 laboratory confirmed cases and deaths due to long standing health inequities that must be addressed proactively as we respond to this pandemic.
 
A RFQ prequalifies vendors to work with the Department. By screening in advance, NCDHHS will have a pool of vendors that it can rapidly engage to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Applicants that meet the RFQ requirements and demonstrate that they can provide the services described in the Scope of Work will be considered for work on specific projects in the future.
 
Testing and tracing are part of North Carolina's strategy to responsibly ease restrictions, while slowing the spread of COVID-19 and protecting North Carolinians. Applicants must submit their response to the RFQ by 2 PM on June 9, 2020. Qualified applicants will be notified on June 17, 2020.
 
 
UPDATE:  RFQ for Testing and Tracing
We have extended the deadline for vendors to submit questions in writing until 2pm on June 4, 2020 for the  Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking to create a pool of qualified vendors to support the response to COVID-19.
 
NCDHHS is seeking to create a pool of qualified vendors to support the response to COVID-19 by providing diagnostic and antibody testing including specimen collection and laboratory processing, and contact tracing.
 
The Department is prioritizing working with minority-owned business vendors or vendors who retain a diverse workforce. All vendor applicants must be able to demonstrate the ability to support focused testing and tracing efforts for historically marginalized populations.  African Americans and LatinX/Hispanic communities make up a disproportionate number of North Carolina's COVID-19 laboratory confirmed cases and deaths due to long standing health inequities that must be addressed proactively as we respond to this pandemic.
 
A RFQ prequalifies vendors to work with the Department. By screening in advance, NCDHHS will have a pool of vendors that it can rapidly engage to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Applicants that meet the RFQ requirements and demonstrate that they can provide the services described in the Scope of Work will be considered for work on specific projects in the future.
 
Testing and tracing are part of North Carolina's strategy to responsibly ease restrictions, while slowing the spread of COVID-19 and protecting North Carolinians. Applicants must submit their response to the RFQ by 2 PM on June 9, 2020. Qualified applicants will be notified on June 17, 2020.
 
Second Increase in Therapeutic Leave Days for ICF/IDD Facilities Due to COVID-19
Effective March 10, 2020, through the conclusion of the North Carolina declared state of emergency related to the COVID-19 crisis, NC Medicaid is temporarily increasing the number of therapeutic leave days for Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF-IIDs) from 60 days to 120 days. This is a change from the previous increase to 90 days. NC Medicaid continues to waive the requirement of approval needed for more than 15 consecutive days per   Clinical Coverage Policy 8E. 
 
 
Previous Behavioral Health Special Bulletins related to COVID-19:
NC Medicaid COVID-19 Bulletins #91 and #92 Available

The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published two more Medicaid Bulletin articles related to COVID-19:
 
SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #91: Federal Provider Relief Fund: Guidance on How to Access "General Distribution" Funds
Congress created a $175 billion Provider Relief Fund to support providers as they deal with COVID-19. Recently, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) began distribution of the first $50 billion of this fund-through the so-called "General Distribution" mechanism-for providers who billed Medicare in 2019.  How to access these funds
 
SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #92: Coronavirus (COVID-19) EviCore Chest Computed Tomography (CT) Auto-Approval Ending May 31, 2020
Effective Sunday, May 31, 2020, NC Medicaid is terminating the auto approval for lung imaging requested through EviCore, NC Medicaid's contracted vendor for imaging services.  More information  
 
New Medicaid Bulletin - Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems Coverage Transition
 
Effective July 1, 2020, coverage of therapeutic Continuous Glucose Monitoring products will transition from the Durable Medical Equipment Program to the Outpatient Pharmacy Point of Sale Program.  Details may be found in the Medicaid Bulletin titled Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems Coverage Transition, which is now available.
 
Annual Provider Survey Now Open
The NCTracks Annual Provider Survey for 2020 is now available. This survey focuses on the aspects of NCTracks that involve direct customer interaction, such as the Call Center, Provider Relations, Training and Communications, as well as Functional Areas, such as Pharmacy Prior Approval and Provider Enrollment. Unless otherwise noted, the time period for which this survey applies is from July 1, 2019 to present. The survey is anonymous unless you choose to identify yourself.
 
The survey is open to all NCTracks providers and is newly designed to take less than 10 minutes to complete. This survey is authorized by the NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and will be open for responses until June 15, 2020.
 
We appreciate your participation as we strive to continue to improve our service to providers. Your feedback is valuable to us! Click here to start the survey now.

Issue with Provider RAs Not Loading
NCTracks is aware of an issue with providers' Remittance Advice (RA) Statements not loading. The NCTracks technical team is researching this issue and working on a resolution. Updates will be provided as available. 

Update to Issue with Remittance Advice (RA) Not Loading
The previously announced issue with providers' Remittance Advice (RA) Statements not loading has been resolved. Many providers' RAs have already posted, and all RAs are expected to be accessible by tomorrow. Thank you for your patience. 

NC Medicaid COVID-19 Bulletins #93 & #94 , Bulletin Update and May Pharmacy Newsletter Available
The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published more Medicaid Bulletins related to COVID-19:
 
SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #93: Targeted Rate Increase, Additional Hours and Associated Reporting Requirements for In-Home Personal Care Services (PCS) Providers under State Plan PCS and CAP/C and CAP/DA Programs
NC Medicaid is implementing a targeted rate increase and additional billable hours for State Plan and CAP/C and CAP/DA In-Home Personal Care Service (PCS) providers for direct service to a COVID-19-positive (COVID+) beneficiary. This bulletin:
  • Clarifies how this targeted rate increase and additional billable hours are in addition to other recently implemented base rate increases for these providers
  • Explains the details of the targeted rate increase and additional billable hours
  • Outlines the eligibility requirements that a provider must meet to receive the targeted rate increase and additional billable hours for direct service to a COVID+ beneficiary
 
SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #94: Second Increase in Therapeutic Leave Days for ICF/IDD Facilities Due to COVID-19
NC Medicaid is temporarily increasing the number of therapeutic leave days for Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF-IIDs) from 60 days to 120 days. This is a change from the previous increase to 90 days. NC Medicaid continues to waive the requirement of approval needed for more than 15 consecutive days per Clinical Coverage Policy 8E . 
 
New Medicaid Bulletin - NC Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program Announcements
 
This bulletin details information including a webinar series, opening of NC-MIPS Program Year 2020 and The Security Risk Analysis (SRA). More details
 
  Note: All Medicaid Bulletin articles, including those related to COVID-19, may be found on the DHB website.
 
May Pharmacy Newsletter Now Available
 
The latest Medicaid Pharmacy Newsletter, dated May 2020, is now available on the N.C. Medicaid website. In addition to the June 2020 checkwrite schedule, this edition of the newsletter includes articles such as:  
  • Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems Coverage Transition
  • Opioid Dependence Dose Edit
  • Preferred Brands with Non-Preferred Generics on the Preferred Drug List (PDL)
Pr oviders are encouraged to review this important information. The 2020 Medicaid Pharmacy Newsletters can be viewed here.

Reminder, Please Consider  Supporting 
This Important Campaign

Please don't forget that CareForNC is launching a COVID-19 #FacesOfTheFrontline campaign during May and June. We work amongst healthcare warriors every day in our field and we're asking you to send in photos and short videos we can share to help our state and communities see the many faces of frontline workers!
 
These images will be used in our CareForNC campaign #FacesOfTheFrontline. Make sure you sign up to receive our #CareForNC posts and on our Facebook page so your agencies can repost the CareForNC posts! Be sure to use one or all the hashtags listed below on your agency posts.
  • #FacesoftheFrontlines     
  • #NCHeroes     
  • #CareforNC     
  • #TogetherOnTheFrontLine
To make it easier for you, we have created a Google Drive site with guidance and a submission form for uploading your photos and videos.:  https://forms.gle/7ZFx1DCnsqKs7vvq8
 
If you do not have a google account to use the Google drive, you can email your pictures and videos to carefornc@gmail.com. Many video attachments may be too large to send via email. In that case, please upload your videos to YouTube privately, Dropbox, or use WeTransfer and send a link to the CareForNC email so we can download the file. Be sure to include:
  • Your Name
  • Organization Name 
  • County or Counties You Serve             
  • Email
  • Description of Content              
  • Any Additional Information
Below are some links to provide you additional information to help you create your own #FacesOfTheFronline posts and for video and picture submissions to CareForNC.
 
Brand/Technical Guidance:  Google Doc     
Provider Guide/Directives:  Google Doc  
Upcoming Events
Thursday, June 4, 2020
Benchmarks' Child Welfare Member Webinar

Time:  8:00 am to 9:00 am 

Note:  Benchmarks will NOT be holding a Friday Membership Webinar this Friday but will have a written update for you to close out and summarize the week.
New:
Thursday, June 4, 2020
Joint NC DMHDDSAS and DHB (NC Medicaid) COVID-19 Update  for NC Providers

Time:  3:00 pm

New:  Friday, June 5, 2020
SACOT, SAIOP and Outpatient Services Readiness Requirements for Reopening  during COVID-19

Time:  10:00 am


New:  Friday, June 5, 2020
WEEKLY Q&A WEBINAR FOR VAYA HEALTH NETWORK PROVIDERS

Time:  11:00 am

Monday:  June 15, 2020 
Connecting Expertise to Communities to Support Comprehensive Care for People with I/DD: Building on North Carolina's Assets 

Time:  11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Monday:  July 20, 2020 
PCIT Information Calls

Time:  10:00 am
 
Meeting number: 730 385 489
You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number. Or, join by phone: 1-650-479-3207 Access code: 730 385 489