Are you looking for online training?   Take moment to see what Benchmarks' Online Training Library  has to offer!  

Any questions at all, please reach out to Paige Wiggs , Benchmarks' Online Training Guru!


Take care of each other and stay safe and healthy!

The Benchmarks' Team

Tuesday:  May 12, 2020 
Cracked Up: The Evolving Conversation (Ep.2)
The link between childhood trauma and suicide.

Time:  5:00 pm
 
Thursday:  May 14, 2020 (Innovations & I/DD)
Provider Information Sessions

Time:  2:00 pm
Thursday:  May 14, 2020 
Who Ya Gonna Call?

Time:  2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
 
No really, do you know who to call to access supports and services for Substance Use, Mental Health and/or Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities?

The Who Ya Gonna Call webinar and NCDHHS staff are here to help!

Join us and learn more!
* How to access Behavioral Health and IDD Services
* Learn about the role of the Customer Service and Community Rights Team
* Find community-based resources to assist with services like housing, finance and healthcare

Thursday:  May 14, 2020

Time:  2:30 pm thru 3:30 

Has it been challenging to find the right resources to support you during this time of uncertainty? We've scoured our network and the web to find the best information to support you, your staff, your program, and your participants as you continue to drive your mission.
 
Attend this webinar for resources on staying connected with your community, managing and accelerating your programs, taking advantage of immediate funding streams, and more.

Thursday:  May 14, 2020

Time:  3:00 pm thru 4:00 pm 

Friday:  May 15, 2020 (Each Friday)
Benchmarks' Friday Membership Webinar

Time:  8:30 am

Friday:  May 15, 2020
Trillium Call with Day Service Providers for I/DD: Reopening Requirements

Time:  10:00 am to 11:30 am

Friday:  May 15, 2020 (Each Friday)
WEEKLY Q&A WEBINAR FOR VAYA NETWORK PROVIDERS

Time:  11:00 am

Monday:  May 18, 2020 
Statewide Developmental Disabilities Council Launches Virtual Road Tour to "Meet" Communities

Times:  
  • 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm 
  • 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm 
Monday:  May 18, 2020 (Each Monday until May 26, 2020)
Joint DMHDDSAS and DHB (NC Medicaid) COVID-19 Update CallFor BH/IDD Consumers, Family Members and Community Stakeholders

Time:  2:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Toll-Free:   844-291-5495 Access Code: 1279313
Wednesday:  May 20, 2020 (All Providers)
Provider Information Sessions

Time:  2:30 pm
Thursday:  May 21, 2020 
SPARCS Information Call

Time:  12:30 pm
 
Meeting number: 473 235 227
Password: HQmtXJmy445
Wednesday:  May 21, 2020 (All Providers)
Monday:  May 25, 2020 (Each Monday until May 26, 2020)
Joint DMHDDSAS and DHB (NC Medicaid) COVID-19 Update CallFor BH/IDD Consumers, Family Members and Community Stakeholders

Time:  2:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Toll-Free:   844-291-5495 Access Code: 1279313
Tuesday:  May 26, 2020 
Trauma and Mental Health Peer Support 

Time:  2:00 pm
Wednesday:  May 27, 2020 (Each Friday)
QUESTION, PERSUADE, REFER (QPR) - SUICIDE PREVENTION WEB-BASED TRAINING

Time:  2:00 to 4:00 pm (7 Slots Available)

Thursday:  May 28, 2020
Let's Talk w Dave Hingsburger; Human Trafficking and People with an Intellectual Disability-Staying 'As Safe As Possible'

Time:  2:00 pm

Friday:  May 29, 2020 
COVID-19 Q&A Webinar for Behavioral Health Care

Time:   1:30 pm to 2:30 pm 

Monday:  June 1, 2020 
Statewide Developmental Disabilities Council Launches Virtual Road Tour to "Meet" Communities

Times:  
  • 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm 
  • 6:30 pm to 8:00 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 
Thursday:  July 23, 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 

Flattening the Second Curve to COVID-19 -- the BH/IDD Impacts & other COVID-19 Updates

From Deputy Secretary Kody Kinsley:

Below, I have outlined the latest information about where we are with the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  But first, I wanted to share a video in which I discuss flattening the second curve for COVID-19 - the behavioral health & IDD impacts of the disease. 
 
Kody Kinsley, Deputy Secretary for Behavioral Health & IDD, on the Second Curve.
Kody Kinsley, Deputy Secretary for Behavioral Health & IDD, on the Second Curve.

In the video, I outline the big picture of what we have been doing and where we need to be going.  I welcome your feedback.  There are more videos online in English and Spanish.
 
The latest updates on North Carolina's COVID-19 response:
  • Know Your Ws
  • North Carolina Moves to Phase 1
  • What to Know About Cloth Face Coverings
  • New Portal Opens to File Claims for COVID-19 Testing and Treatment of Uninsured Patients
  • Food and Nutrition Services Participants Can Now Use Benefits at Authorized Online EBT Retailers
  • Health Care Workers Being Matched to Facilities Seeking Staff
  • New Videos Available
  • New and Updated Guidance Posted
Know Your Ws
Wear. Wait. Wash. As North Carolina eases some COVID-19 restrictions, the NC Department of Health and Human Services is asking people to remember these three things to continue to slow the spread of COVID-19 and flatten the curve.
 
If you leave home, practice your Ws: Wear, Wait, Wash  
  • Wear a cloth face covering if you will be with other people. 
  • Wait 6 feet apart. Avoid close contact.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer. 
Help get the word out by   sharing materials and posting on social media in English and Spanish . Encourage people to remember their 3 Ws: Wear, Wait, Wash.
 
North Carolina Moves to Phase 1
On Friday at 5 PM, the Governor Cooper modified North Carolina's Stay At Home Executive Order, transitioning the state to Phase 1 of slowly easing COVID-19 went into effect. Resources for business are available in English and Spanish online, including:
  • Executive Order 138 and FAQ
  • Fact Sheet on What's New in Phase One (English and Spanish)
  • Interim Guidance for Owners, Staff and Patrons of Businesses (English and Spanish)
  • Checklist for Business Owners (English and Spanish)
  • Signage for Businesses (English and Spanish)
  • Symptom Screening Checklist
What to Know About Cloth Face Coverings
Following CDC guidance, Executive Order 138 recommends that people wear a cloth face covering when they leave their house and may be less than six feet from other people who are not family or household members. Covering your face is about helping others and being a good neighbor and community member.
Learn more about cloth face coverings. (English / Spanish)
 
New Portal Opens to File Claims for COVID-19 Testing and Treatment of Uninsured Patients
Health care providers and hospitals can use a new portal to request reimbursement for claims associated with COVID-19 testing and treatment of uninsured patients retroactive to Feb. 4, 2020. The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) COVID-19 Uninsured Program Portal was launched by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to support health care providers in delivering COVID-19 diagnostic testing and treatment at no cost to patients. It can be accessed at  COVIDUninsuredClaim.linkhealth.com . 
 
Food and Nutrition Services Participants Can Now Use Benefits at Authorized Online EBT Retailers
North Carolina  Food and Nutrition Services participants can purchase groceries online using their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards at authorized online EBT retailers. The new flexibility allows participants to buy food while also promoting social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and helping families with transportation and mobility barriers.
 
School Buses to Serve as Wi-Fi Hot Spots for Remote Learning
School buses are bringing internet access to communities without it to help more North Carolina students connect to school online. Governor Cooper announced the plan to equip more school buses with hotspots following the announcement that K-12 public schools would continue remote learning through the end of this school year.  Read more.
 
Health Care Workers Being Matched to Facilities Seeking Staff
Due to COVID-19, many health care facilities in North Carolina, particularly long-term care facilities, are seeking to hire staff for temporary, part-time or full-time roles. There is an urgent need for Registered Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants, among other roles to supplement current workers and in some cases fill in for workers affected by COVID-19. Interested health care employees with the ability to pick up extra shifts or who may have been laid off from facilities and are seeking full-time roles can register at https://nc.readyop.com/fs/4cjq/697b
 
New and Updated Guidance Posted

NC Medicaid COVID-19 Bulletin Article Summary #86-88
The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published Medicaid Bulletin articles related to COVID-19. Below are exerts or summaries of some of the most recent articles and links for more details. All articles may be found on the DHB website.
 
SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #86: Telehealth and Virtual Patient Communications Clinical Policy Modifications - Family Planning Services for MAFDN Beneficiaries
NC Medicaid has retroactively temporarily modified its Telemedicine and Telepsychiatry Clinical Coverage Policy to enable eligible providers to deliver family planning services to NC Medicaid Be Smart Family Planning Medicaid program (MAFDN) eligible beneficiaries via telemedicine or virtual patient communication (telephone call, only) in light of social distancing measures that may prevent in-person visits.   Read More.
 
SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #87: Additional Dental Clinical Coverage Policy Provisions
NC Medicaid is implementing temporary clinical policy revisions that will allow dentists to provide additional services to Medicaid and NC Health Choice beneficiaries. These temporary policy changes made retroactive effective March 10, 2020.  Read More.
 
SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #88: Additional Temporary Rate Increases for Skilled Nursing Facilities, LTSS Personal Care Service Providers and Home Health Providers to support Strengthening Infection Prevention Activities
NC Medicaid is temporarily increasing rates for Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF), Personal Care Services (PCS) and Home Health (HH) providers as well as providing additional financial support to strengthen infection prevention activities. Guidelines and More Information

Update to SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #78: Telehealth and Virtual Patient Communications Clinical Policy Modifications - Hybrid Telemedicine with Supporting Home Visit
On May 8, 2020 Special Bulletin #78 was updated to reflect the following changes:
  • Includes information that Local Health Department (LHDs), Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), FQHC Look-A-Likes and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) may use, as outlined in "Telemedicine with Supporting Home Visit" below, hybrid telemedicine with supporting home visit model when the telemedicine visit is rendered by an appropriately trained, delegated staff person. 
  • The Section C Codes includes instructions that providers should choose the most appropriate code based on the complexity of the services provided. 
Providers can read more about the updated information here.

April Pharmacy Newsletter Available
The latest Medicaid Pharmacy Newsletter, dated April 2020, is now available on the N.C. Medicaid website. In addition to the May 2020 checkwrite schedule, this edition of the newsletter includes articles such as:  
  • Pharmacy Claims Flexibility Available to Prevent Spread of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) 
  • Addition of Mailing and Delivery Fees to Retail Pharmacy Claims
  • Preferred Brands with Non-Preferred Generics on the Preferred Drug List (PDL) Current as of April 25, 2020 
Providers are encouraged to review this important information.The 2020 Medicaid Pharmacy Newsletters can be viewed here .
 
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.
 
Reminder - Memorial Day Holiday, Call Center and Checkwrite Schedule
As a reminder, the NCTracks Call Center will be closed Monday, May 25, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. (The Pharmacy Prior Approval Unit will be open holiday hours from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.)
 
In keeping with the published approved 2020 checkwrite schedule, because of the federal holiday, the checkwrite date will be on Wednesday, May 27. The posting and availability of funds to provider bank accounts will depend on the provider's financial institution. Bank of America customers should see their payments in their accounts on the day that the EFT is processed, which will be Thursday (5/28/2020). Providers who bank at other financial institutions should see payments the business day following the date that the EFT is processed, which will be Friday (5/30/2020) afternoon. (Some may post sooner.)
 
The 2020 checkwrite schedules can be found under Quick Links on the   NCTracks Provider Portal home page.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ISSUES GUIDANCE AND REMINDERS TO STATES TO ENSURE INTEGRITY OF UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAMS
The U.S. Department of Labor today issued targeted guidance and reminders that provide states with details regarding required integrity functions for their regular unemployment compensation programs, as well as those authorized by Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, in  UIPL 23-20. The guidance aims to help states guard against fraud and abuse of their unemployment insurance systems.   

"As states implement the various provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act to provide benefits to eligible applicants, they must exercise due diligence at all times in the administration of their programs to protect the integrity of the unemployment insurance system," said Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training John P. Pallasch. "As the stewards of taxpayer dollars, states and localities have an obligation to spot and detect waste and fraud in the unemployment insurance system and report it to the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General and other appropriate channels," Pallasch added.

To protect the program integrity of the regular unemployment compensation program, states must maintain weekly certification processes to verify the continuing eligibility of the program's claimants and must complete required checks for interstate wages. The department also requires that states maintain these key eligibility determination processes for regular unemployment compensation claims to conform and substantially comply with federal unemployment compensation laws. States are also required to implement the same program integrity activities used for the regular unemployment compensation program for the CARES Act programs, such as verifying identity and cross matching with certain databases designed to prevent and detect improper payments and fraud.

To ensure program integrity, the CARES Act includes an appropriation of $26 million to the department's Office of Inspector General (OIG) to carry out audits, investigations, and other oversight activities related to states' adherence to existing unemployment insurance laws and policies, as well as the provisions of the CARES Act. This funding represents a nearly 30 percent increase in appropriations for the OIG, whose FY 2020 budget appropriation was just over $90 million. States should expect significant oversight, review and scrutiny of their unemployment compensation programs' integrity.

Today's guidance is not intended to be an exhaustive list of federal requirements, and the department encourages states to contact its Employment and Training Administration (ETA) for technical assistance on coronavirus-related issues and to please copy your Regional ETA Office on the email. 

For further information about the coronavirus, please visit the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.
USDA Approves $1.2 billion in Contracts for Farmers to Families Food Box Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today approved $1.2 billion in contracts to support American producers and communities in need through the USDA Farmers to Families Food Box Program.

"This is a new, innovative approach to provide critical support to American farmers and families, and USDA moved as expeditiously as federal procurement rules allow to stand up the program and solicit offers," said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. "We were pleased to see the abundance of interest from both food distributors and non-profit organizations. Within days, the Farmers to Families Food Box Program will begin distributing surplus food, while safeguarding food safety techniques, to communities across the country where it's needed most."

A full list of approved suppliers will be posted on the Farmers to Families Food Box Program website at 5 p.m. ET, Friday, May 8, 2020. Approved suppliers may increase the number of non-profit organizations or Government entities (e.g., school food authority, Indian tribe) they will provide boxes to within their service area but must ensure the non-profit has 501(c)(3) tax exempt status.

Background:
On April 17, 2020, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the program as part of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program developed to help farmers, ranchers and consumers in response to the COVID-19 national emergency.

Through this program, USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is partnering with national, regional and local suppliers, whose workforce has been significantly impacted by the closure of restaurants, hotels and other food service businesses, to purchase up to $3 billion in fresh produce, dairy and meat products. The program will purchase $461 million in fresh fruits and vegetables, $317 million in a variety of dairy products, $258 million in meat products and $175 million in a combination box of fresh produce, dairy or meat products. Suppliers will package these products into family-sized boxes, then transport them to food banks, community and faith-based organizations, and other non-profits serving Americans in need from May 15 through June 30, 2020. AMS may elect to extend the period of performance of the contracts, via option periods, dependent upon program success and available remaining funds, up to $3 billion. 

Additional information on the Farmers to Families Food Box Program, including webinars and an FAQs, is available on the AMS website at www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food-to-usda/farmers-to-families-food-box.

Paycheck Protection Program: SBA Extends Prepayment Safe Harbor To May 14, 2020 and Issues Further Interpretive Guidance on Employee Head Count and Affiliation
The U.S. Department of Treasury (Treasury) and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issued further interpretative guidance on the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), as enacted under the  Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), via (i) an updated  Frequently Asked Questions fact sheet (FAQ)[1], which was last published on May 6, 2020 and (ii) the distribution of the  Eighth Interim Final Rule[2] on May 5, 2020.[3]

Prior to the updated FAQ, SBA guidance provided that a business that applied for a PPP loan before April 24, 2020 and repays the loan in full by May 7, 2020 will be deemed by the SBA to have made the required "economic uncertainty" certification  (i.e. the certification that the "[c]urrent economic uncertainty makes this [PPP] loan request necessary to support the ongoing operations of the [a]pplicant") in good faith, providing a safe harbor amnesty for businesses that timely prepay their loans.  The updated FAQ adds Question #43, extending the amnesty prepayment date from May 7, 2020 to May 14, 2020.  In doing so, the SBA states that it intends to provide additional guidance prior to May 14 as to "how" it will review the certification.  For further analysis on the "economic uncertainty" certification and the corresponding SBA guidance issued thus far, please visit our article on the subject matter.

EEOC Provides Additional Guidance on Reasonable Accommodation Issues For 'High Risk' Employees Returning to Work
On May 5, 2020, and again on May 7, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (the "EEOC") updated its technical assistance for employers, " What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws."

The EEOC has updated its guidance multiple times since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most recently, on April 17, the EEOC provided guidance on employers' reasonable accommodation obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (the "ADA") and included a section on " Return to Work" issues. On April 23, the EEOC issued an update addressing  COVID-19 testing by employers.

In its latest update, the EEOC adds to its Return-to-Work guidance with Frequently Asked Questions ("FAQs") addressing reasonable accommodation. The new FAQs will likely be particularly relevant with respect to employees who may be reluctant to return to the workplace because they are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Specifically, the newly-released guidance states:

G.3. What does an employee need to do in order to request reasonable accommodation from her employer because she has one of the medical conditions that CDC says may put her at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19?
Join three LME/MCO Chief Medical Officers and members of their provider networks Thursday from 3:00-4:00pm as they discuss the challenges and opportunities of delivering behavioral healthcare through telemedicine. Alliance Health CMO Mehul Mankad, MD will talk with Britni Eaton, MS about Monarch's experiences with this "new normal" for serving people in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. Register for the live webinar by clicking here .

On Thursday April 16, 2020, the Division of Health Benefits (NC Medicaid) issued   Special Bulletin COVID-19 #46:  Behavioral Health Service Flexibilities.   Alliance has completed adding the codes associated to the flexibilities into Alpha.

GUIDANCE FOR GT/CR Modifiers:  Click here for the list of GT and/or CR modifiers that have been added to provider contracts effective March 10, 2020. These codes were added to Medicaid and State contracts for existing providers of these outpatient and enhanced service codes as outlined below.

Providers will be required to utilize the codes/modifiers for any of the service flexibilities that are being provided with service dates starting on and after May 23, 2020.  HOWEVER, the codes are currently active in Alpha and providers can choose to use the codes prior to May 23, 2020, as their billing systems allow.

Important to Note: 
  • Providers that will deliver these services via audio/visual to COVID-19 must add both modifiers (GT and CR) to the code when submitting for reimbursement.
  • If the services are delivered telephonic only, then the provider will only use the CR code.
Providers that have submitted claims prior to this notification will not be required to resubmit claims at this time.  Please use the GT CR and CR modifiers to COVID related service delivery with claims submitted with dates of service no later than May 23, 2020.

System Error with Provider Payments
Updated May 11, 2020: All providers affected by this error will be contacted by email. If you have not received an email but you experienced this system error with your payment from Cardinal Innovations Healthcare, please contact your Network Specialist or call our provider line at  1-855-270-3327.

We are aware of a system error causing duplicate payments, overpayments and/or misalignments with the RAs/835s. We are looking into the cause and we will be in communication as we determine the next steps.
 
Evaluation and Management CPT Codes
As part of Partners commitment to supporting providers during the COVID-19 state of emergency, Partners provided guidance early on regarding the use of Evaluation and Management CPT codes.  This guidance was issued in  Partners Provider Alert COVID-19 #6 , dated March 24, 2020.  That communication indicated that effective with March 10, 2020 dates of services, Partners is allowing the following expansions to telehealth:
  • All E/M codes can be provided virtually via telephone or video at the same rates
As questions have arisen with the numerous codes that have been updated with various modifiers, Partners wanted to provide guidance on this notification specifically.  As such, for dates of services effective March 10, 2020 through May 31, 2020, Partners will continue to allow this practice.  If billing those E/M CPT codes telephonically, you may bill the code at the same rate without a modifier associated.  Please ensure that you cite the aforementioned guidance along with COVID-19 flexibilities in your documentation.

Effective June 1, 2020 dates of services, Partners expects that you would ensure you are billing with the GT/CR modifier and align with the Division's guidance on this as noted in COVID-19 Special Medicaid Bulletins: ( https://medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/about-us/covid-19-guidance-and-resources/providers/covid-19-special-medicaid-bulletins )

NC DHHS Calls and Webinar Recordings
You can access recordings of previous NC DHHS calls and webinars by visiting the following links:

We have not found anything new to report.

In the May 11, 2020 issue:
  • About the ABLE program
  • Who are ABLE account holders?
  • It's all in the details: what are eligible expenses?
  • Meet the NC ABLE Board
  • VIDEO: NC ABLE Accounts: Eligibility, Features and Benefits
  • Treasurer Dale R. Folwell, CPA, appeared on WFMY talking about ABLE

Special COVID-19 Episode  More than Health Care Podcast:   When COVID-19 Came and the Child Abuse Hotline Stopped Ringing

In this special episode , hear how Dr. Bob Shapiro, director of the Mayerson Center for Safe and Healthy Children at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, and his team quickly innovated in the wake of COVID-19 to create tools to keep kids safe in their homes. 
 
In putting these guides in the hands of teachers and day care providers, Shapiro's team proves that barriers between sectors can be quickly broken down to address critical community needs.
 
Listen to hear lessons learned and how he thinks this collaboration may positively affect post-pandemic partnerships.