September 1, 2024 Edition 14

The monthly Provider Insider Newsletter will differ from the Network Communication Bulletins by offering an avenue to highlight community happenings across our catchment area. We will share information on various projects Trillium is working on within our local communities and introduce new skill development/training opportunities available to providers.

Inside this edition

Provider Spotlight: Yotaron Enrichment and Resource Center
Welcome New Providers!
Provider News
Community Involvement
Provider Resources
New Opportunities
Provider Knowledge
In Case You Missed It

Provider Spotlight

Yotaron Enrichment and Resource Center

Yotaron Enrichment & Resource Center is a multispecialty behavioral health clinic serving children, families, and adults in the communities within Eastern North Carolina, since 2014. The agency’s mission is to provide and sustain good mental health in the lives of individuals. Yotaron provides high quality, evidence based, therapeutic interventions for individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges. Yotaron provides in-person and telehealth services, with offices in Tarboro and Greenville, North Carolina.

At Yotaron, meeting the needs of our clients and focusing on community engagement are top priorities. Yotaron participated in its First Annual Yotaron Back to School Backpack Giveaway on August 12, 2024, providing 200 backpacks, school supplies, and hygiene kits to children of surrounding communities. Yotaron will hold the Second Annual Backpack Giveaway before the start of the 2025-2026 school year.

Services provided (In Person and Telehealth):

· Comprehensive Clinical Assessments

· Outpatient Therapy Services

· Intensive In-home Services

· Peer Support

· Individual Support

· School-Based Mental Health Services

· Medication Management

· Substance Abuse Counseling

· DWI Assessments

· Forensic Evaluations

· Involuntary Commitment Evaluations

· Educators Care Training (Pre-K-12th grade)

For referrals and to make appointments:

· Call (252) 916-6048

· Email: help@yotaronerc.com

Office locations:

Greenville Office -3106 S Memorial Dr B, Greenville, NC 27834

Tarboro Office- 204 N Main St. Tarboro, NC 27886

Hours of Operation:

Monday – Friday 9:00AM – 5:00PM

Saturdays by appointment

For more information, please visit our website.

If you or a fellow provider are interested in sharing your story, please contact us at info@trilliumnc.org. Thank you for all you do for our members!

Welcome New Providers to Trillium!

PROVIDER NAME	COUNTIES SERVED	SERVICES OFFERED	AGE GROUP SERVED
Integrated Care of Greater Hickory	Surry, Lincoln, Wayne, Caldwell, Carteret, Iredell, Alexander, Rutherford, Cleveland, and Gaston	Outpatient Treatment, Evaluation and Management, Office Based Opioid Treatment	Children ages 7+ through Adult
It's Your Move	Bertie	Outpatient Treatment, Evaluation and Management, Office Based Opioid Treatment	Children ages 7+ through Adult
Recovery Journey Services LLC	Pitt and surrounding	Partial Hospitalization and Psychosocial Rehabilitation	Adult
Piedmont Partners for Mental Health	Guilford	Outpatient Treatment, Evaluation and Management, Psychological Testing	All

Provider News

Flexibilities to Ease Provider Administrative Burden at Tailored Plan Launch

NC Medicaid is committed to ensuring our providers and members are supported at the launch of the Behavioral Health Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DDs) Tailored Plans, which launched on July 1, 2024. A key priority at transition is to ensure NC Medicaid beneficiaries receive the care they need as scheduled, with no interruption, after launch on July 1, 2024.

This flexibility applies to both in-network and out-of-network providers. Tailored Plans must also honor existing medical PAs for physical and behavioral health services for 91 days after Tailored Plan launch or until the expiration/completion of a PA, whichever occurs first.

Starting on Oct. 1, 2024, Tailored Plans may deny payment for services, which require prior authorization if the provider did not obtain authorization before delivering the service, except in cases of retro eligibility.

The Department expects all providers to continue to provide all necessary care to beneficiaries throughout this transition, including but not limited to maintaining scheduled medical care for beneficiaries.

The Department expects Tailored Plans and providers to continue to work in good faith to finalize contracts so that Tailored Plans have adequate networks to care for their members.

NC Medicaid remains committed to working with provider and health plan partners to verify services are paid for without undue burden to beneficiaries and providers during this transition. If providers experience issues during this transition period, they can reach out to the Medicaid Provider Ombudsman by email at Medicaid.ProviderOmbudsman@dhhs.nc.gov or by phone at 919-527-6666.

Learn More Here

SAMHSA Releases Annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health

On July 30th, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released the results of the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), which shows how people living in United States reported their experience with mental health conditions, substance use and pursuit of treatment. The 2023 NSDUH report includes selected estimates by race, ethnicity and age group. The report is accompanied by two infographics offering visually packaged highlight data as well as visual data by race and ethnicity.

"Each year, data from the annual NSDUH provides an opportunity to identify and address unmet healthcare needs across America. We're pleased to see that more people received mental health treatment in 2023 than the previous year," said Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and the leader of SAMHSA. "Also, to build upon increasing accessibility to data, this year's release features two infographic reports: one focusing on race and ethnicity and one highlighting selected overall data."

Read Survey Results Here

NCDHHS Announces $4.5 Million in Grant Opportunities for Community-Based Mental Health Initiatives

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is investing in programs that support mental well-being and recovery for North Carolinians and their families. The department on August 15 announced three grant opportunities totaling $4.5 million that will support local partners in developing community-based initiatives to improve equitable access to mental health services, expand peer support services and strengthen family and caregiver support services.

"Behavioral health is essential to health and these investments build on the near $1 billion we’re investing to improve the mental health system of care in North Carolina," said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley. "These grant opportunities will help close health disparities by focusing on the unique needs of marginalized communities and empowering those with lived experience to be key to the solution."

NCDHHS will award Mental Health Block Grant funds to community-based partners to build or expand mental health services and supports for North Carolinas, including those with substance use and/or intellectual and developmental disabilities.

News Release

Community Involvement

Recovery Together ENC 2024 Conference

Experience a day filled with inspiration, education, and connection at the Recovery Together ENC 2024 Conference. This in-person event is designed to bring together individuals passionate about recovery in Eastern North Carolina.

Hear from engaging speakers, participate in interactive workshops, and networking opportunities.

Mark your calendars for Friday, September 13 from 8:00AM-4:30PM at Lenoir Community College.

Upcoming Trillium Re-Entry Simulations

In these Re-Entry Simulations, you will learn about the many barriers individuals go through when they are released from jail. Participants experience the difficulties of finding a job, keeping a stable home, going to treatment regularly, and following release rules. Click the underlined links below to register.

Provider Resources

NCDHHS Tailored Care Management Toolkit

Tailored Care Management (TCM) is a free service that pairs members with an expert to help with their health care needs, substance use disorder treatment and recovery services, mental well-being and other goals like finding a job. Tailored Care Management services are available to members with a serious mental illness, a severe substance use disorder, an intellectual/developmental disability or a traumatic brain injury; and who have NC Medicaid Direct or a Tailored Plan.

With Tailored Care Management, eligible members can get personalized help from a Tailored Care Manager who guides them through the health care system, or even assist with basic needs like food and transportation.

NCDHHS offers free English/Spanish resources, templates, Fact Sheets, and more for members to learn more about TCM.

Access Toolkit Here

Virtual Provider Office Hours Sessions

Trillium Health Resources invites you to join us for Provider Office Hours on September 11 from 12:00PM-1:00PM. This meeting with Trillium leadership will provide you with resources and answers as you navigate the Tailored Plan process.

Join the Meeting

New Opportunities

Opportunity for TBI Waiver Service Providers

Trillium Health Resources is preparing to operate under the Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver upon expansion across North Carolina. Trillium will award contracts as services are added to the Trillium Benefit Plan.

This recruitment will expand Trillium’s network of qualified, approved NC Medicaid providers (including neurological psychologists) experienced in providing high-quality services to members. Interested providers must have national accreditation to provide waiver services.

Recruitment is for Medicaid services only and interested providers MUST demonstrate experience serving members with Traumatic Brain Injury. Priority consideration will be given to licensed Neuropsychologists due to their specialized expertise in assessing and treating cognitive impairments related to TBI. Provider MUST meet all qualifications of the service listed in Appendix C (Page 54) for the Waiver Amendment at Application for 1915(c) HCBS Waiver: NC.1326.R01.04 - Mar 01, 2024 (as of Mar 01, 2024) (ncdhhs.gov) and NC Medicaid to be eligible for a contract award.

Please visit our website for more information. No start-up funding is available from Trillium as part of this opportunity. Provider must be fiscally sound and have capital to start programs independently. Application does not guarantee a contract. Providers are advised to wait until the official contract is awarded before implementing programs.

Learn More Here

Provider Knowledge

Mental Health First Aid

Trillium Health Resources provides free Mental Health First Aid training in our region. This course teaches how to recognize and understand behavioral health challenges. Participants also learn how to connect them with appropriate support and resources.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a public education program that helps participants identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders.

Mental Health First Aid training is only a part of the journey to an open mental health culture. Mental Health First Aiders play a crucial role in supporting individuals in their personal and professional lives. However, wider policy changes are important for significant change. As a Tailored Plan and MCO, Trillium always strives to improve the mental health literacy of our communities. Mental Health First Aid does not stop with a single course. It is an ongoing journey of learning, experiences, and understanding.

For more information or to participate in a Mental Health First Aid training, visit the Mental Health First Aid page or contact the Training Department at (866) 998-2597 or email at TrainingTeam@TrilliumNC.org.

In Case You Missed It

Trillium Health Resources Receives Favorable Service Organization Control 2 Type II Report

Trillium Health Resources has received a favorable Service Organization Control (SOC) 2 Type II report. This accomplishment demonstrates our commitment to securely managing and protecting data and the privacy of our members.