Opportunities are being made available to stakeholders to prepare for the implementation of the Medicaid Standard Plan and Tribal Option. Both plans are scheduled to go-live on July 1, 2021. NC DHHS has held several feedback sessions with stakeholders to review their planned timeline for preparation. In addition, a weekly webinar series for providers has been reinstated in October. That series is produced by NC DHHS in partnership with NC AHEC and requires registration.
CMS Moves Medicaid Closer to Value-Based Approaches
The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) sent a guidance letter to state Medicaid directors on September 15th that encourages the use of value-based care (VBC) in Medicaid services. Value-based service delivery balances the quality of the services provided with the cost of the services. The value-based approach to services also incorporates non-medical drivers of care such as housing and food security because they can impact the outcome of service delivery. According to CMS, in 2018, 90% of traditional Medicare services were already a part of a value-based arrangement. CMS has also seen success in implementation of value-based payments in home health and skilled nursing facilities.
There is now $20 billion in new funding for Providers on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic. Eligible providers may begin applying for funding Monday, October 5, 2020 through Friday, November 6, 2020. Under this Phase 3 General Distribution allocation, providers that have already received Provider Relief Fund payments will be invited to apply for additional funding that considers financial losses and changes in operating expenses caused by the coronavirus. Previously ineligible providers, such as those who began practicing in 2020 will also be invited to apply, and an expanded group of behavioral health providers confronting the emergence of increased mental health and substance use issues exacerbated by the pandemic will also be eligible for relief payments.
Long-Term Care Settings Have Eased Pandemic Restrictions
As the State moves to Phase 3, facilities like group homes, ICF/IIDs and adult care homes may also have eased restrictions related to visitation. Governor Cooper has signed Executive Order 165 to provide NC DHHS the authority to decide the appropriate restrictions on the activities and operations in long-term care facilities. The Executive Order remains in place at least until November 20th or when the State of Emergency is rescinded.
Conference Addresses Critical Issues for 2020 and Beyond
The year 2020 has been a whirlwind of change and adaptation with a renewed focus on long standing social inequalities that deserve resolution. It will be vital to take what we have learned in 2020 and apply these lessons in new ways as many of the changes that began in 2020 will continue into 2021 and beyond. This year’s i2i Virtual Pinehurst Conference, December 2-4, seeks to help you do just that. Sessions will address a litany of topics that will be critical for all stakeholders and essential to our system’s success next year and beyond.
Topics include:
Leadership Information and Competencies for the Future
Legislative and Legal Updates Affecting Providers
Data and Quality Management in Telehealth, Managed Care and Services
Recognizing and Addressing Marginalized Populations
Meeting Social Determinants of Health
Increasing Peer and Consumer Involvement
Expanding Whole Person Care
Lessons Learned from COVID-19 to Take into the Future
Improving Services through Integration, Peer Support, Occupational Therapy, Whole Family Focus, Pharmacy etc.
$7 Million Partnership to Address Healthcare for Historically Marginalized Populations
NC DHHS announced a new partnership that will help close service gaps for individuals in historically marginalized populations. This $7 million statewide effort, undertaken with United Partners of Health (UPOH), will provide preventative health care services, connections to mental health supports and help securing non-medical drivers of health like food and housing. Additional details can be found in the press release below.
i2i Supports Peer Voice NC for September Recovery Month Film Series
i2i was proud to support Peer Voice NC last month with their Virtual Film Series during Recovery Month. The films shown during the series were The S Word a documentary about suicide from the vantage point of survivors. The other was Medicating Normal, a documentary about the intersection between trauma, mental illness, suicide, PTSD and the over medication of emotional distress with consequences of substance use, long term neurological and medical side effects, suicide attempts and homicidal thinking.
MediSked Launches
Virtual Visits
MediSked Virtual Visitsis an opportunity to connect via video conference or phone calls with MediSked team members to support social interactions and community inclusion. MediSked volunteers host 30-minute activity-based sessions with individuals.
