DHHS' COVID-19 Website

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Benchmarks' Friday Membership Webinar September 17, 2021 Karen McLeod & Dave Richard Important: Please click here to complete the form that Karen mentioned on the call. Cindy Ehlers is collecting ideas on the types of administrative flexibilities need to create optimal responses for high acuity behavioral health needs to share with one of Senator Batch's subcommittees.

Benchmarks' Upcoming Webinars Benchmarks' Child Welfare Webinar Lisa Cauley Joins Karen McLeod Date: Thursday, October 7, 2021 Time: 8:00 am thru 9:00 am Register Benchmarks' Friday Webinar Dave Richard Joins Karen McLeod Date: Friday, October 15, 2021 Time: 8:30 am thru 9:30 am Register

NC Medicaid Managed Care Provider Update An update on NC Medicaid Managed Care was sent to providers. Topics include: Key dates Playbook updates Prior authorization Frequently asked questions Contracting Provider ombudsman Webinars NC’s Provider Directory – Medicaid and NC Health Choice Provider and Health Plan Look-Up Tool Health plan office hours for providers PHP quick reference guides NC Medicaid help center   The bulletin article is available at https://medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/blog/2021/09/15/nc-medicaid-managed-care-provider-update-sept-15-2021. Prepaid Health Plan Interest and Penalties for Provider Claims In accordance with Section V. H.1.d of the NC PHP Contract, prepaid health plans (PHPs) are required to pay interest and penalties to providers if the PHP fails to accurately pay or inappropriately denies a clean claim within 30 calendar days of receipt of medical claims or within 14 calendar days of receipt for pharmacy claims. This includes incorrect denials, and under- or partial-payments that are identified and paid on reprocessed claims. It is the PHP’s responsibility to issue interest and penalty payments to providers when applicable.   A clean claim is a claim for services submitted to a PHP by an NC Medicaid Managed Care medical or pharmacy service provider which can be processed without obtaining additional information from the submitter in order to adjudicate the claim.   If the PHP fails to implement fee schedule changes and reprocess impacted claims with the correct rates within 45 calendar days of notification of a fee schedule change from NC Medicaid, the PHP must pay interest and penalties on the adjusted amount.   For more information, please see Medicaid bulletin Prepaid Health Plan Interest and Penalties for Provider Claims. Latest Electronic Visit Verification Q & A Documents HHAF Exchange Chat with Answers Q&A Carebridge Q&A HHA Exchange Q&A Updated Modules for IVC In partnership with Southern Regional AHEC (SR-AHEC), the modules involved in the Commitment Examiner certification process are now available for review by physicians and eligible psychologists who complete IVC exams. For access, please contact Tanya Thacker at [email protected] to make this request and provide your name and licensure (physician/psychologist). After information is verified, you will receive an email from SR-AHEC with login information for their system. Please do not share your login information with those who have not been given access themselves. Access to the modules does not allow you to train or certify anyone with an eligible license as a Commitment Examiner but is strictly to inform you of the training Licensed Professionals (LPs) receive and for your own knowledge base. Eligible LPs will still need to go through the certification process themselves, which also includes passing the test and completing three first exams under the supervision of a physician/eligible psychologist. If you have any questions, please contact Tanya at [email protected]. Download the Memorandum Here Slide deck and recording now available from Sept. 9, 2021, Community Partners Webinar Presentation Transcript

Child Welfare Practice Guidance during COVID-19 Crisis- COVID-19 Vaccination Guidance for Children and Youth in the Custody of Local Departments of Social Services The purpose of this document is to ensure that child welfare workers are provided guidance regarding the COVID-19 vaccine as it pertains to vaccine eligible youth in foster care. August 23, 2021, FDA-approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (being marketed as COMIRNATY) as a 2- dose series for the prevention of COVID-19 in individuals 16 years of age and older. Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine continues to be available under EUA for the prevention of COVID-19 in individuals 12 through 15 years and as an additional dose in individuals 12 and over with moderate to severe immunocompromise. Moderna and Janssen (J&J) are authorized only for adults (18 years and older) at this time. North Carolina Session Law 2021-110 Section 9 changed the minor’s consent law for vaccines granted emergency use authorization (EUA). SECTION 9. G.S. 90-21.5 reads as rewritten: "§ 90-21.5. Minor's consent sufficient for certain medical health services. (a) Any Subject to subsection (a1) of this section, any minor may give effective consent to a physician licensed to practice medicine in North Carolina for medical health services for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of (i) venereal disease and other diseases reportable under G.S. 130A-135, (ii) pregnancy, (iii) abuse of controlled substances or alcohol, and (iv) emotional disturbance. This section does not authorize the inducing of an abortion, performance of a sterilization operation, or admission to a 24-hour facility licensed under Article 2 of Chapter 122C of the General Statutes except as provided in G.S. 122C-223. This section does not prohibit the admission of a minor to a treatment facility upon his own written application in an emergency situation as authorized by G.S. 122C-223. (a1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a health care provider shall obtain written consent from a parent or legal guardian prior to administering any vaccine that has been granted emergency use authorization and is not yet fully approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration to an individual under 18 years of age. (b) Any minor who is emancipated may consent to any medical treatment, dental and health services for himself or for his child." Download the Guidance Here

Adoption Promotion Program Fund Information Please see the DCDL and attachments sent on behalf of Linda Waite. DCDS Adoption Promotion Program Fund APP Fact Sheet for SFY 2021-2022 DSS – 5320 DSS Monthly Adoption Reporting Form DSS – 5320A Contract Agency Monthly Adoption Reporting and Payment Form DSS – 5113 Adoption Services Agreement

Prior Approval for Stromectol (ivermectin) Tablets   Ivermectin is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) -approved prescription medication used to treat certain infections caused by internal and external parasites. When used as prescribed for approved indications, it is generally safe and well-tolerated.   During the COVID-19 pandemic, ivermectin dispensing by retail pharmacies has increased, as has use of veterinary formulations available over the counter but not intended for human use. FDA has cautioned about the potential risks of use for prevention or treatment of COVID-19.   Ivermectin is not authorized or approved by FDA for prevention or treatment of COVID-19.   To ensure appropriate use, effective Sept. 10, 2021, North Carolina Medicaid will require prior approval for Stromectol (ivermectin) tablets. Coverage will be approved for Stromectol (ivermectin) tablets for up to 10 tablets when being used to treat parasitic infections. Prior approval forms can be found on the NCTracks website.   Information from the FDA regarding ivermectin use: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/why-you-should-not-use-ivermectin-treat-or-prevent-covid-19 Information from the CDC regarding ivermectin use https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2021/han00449.asp Information from the NC Board of Pharmacy regarding ivermectin use http://www.ncbop.org/ (Thursday, August 26, 2021 post)    Sept. Pharmacy Newsletter Now Available   The latest Medicaid Pharmacy Newsletter, dated Sept. 2021, is now available on the N.C. Medicaid website. In addition to the Oct. 2021 checkwrite schedule, this edition of the newsletter includes the articles:   Third COVID-19 Vaccine Available for Immunocompromised Medicaid  Beneficiaries  Influenza Vaccine and Reimbursement Guidelines for 2021-2022 for NC Medicaid and NC Health Choice  Preferred Brands with Non-Preferred Generics on the Preferred Drug List (PDL) Current as of September 3, 2021   Providers are encouraged to review this important information. The 2021 Medicaid Pharmacy Newsletters can be viewed here. Virtual Statewide Primary Care Quality Forum Tuesday, Oct. 12 | Noon to 1:30 p.m. Register   The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Health Benefits and North Carolina AHEC, in conjunction with the five prepaid health plans, will host a Virtual Statewide Primary Care Quality Forum to help providers, practice managers and quality managers succeed with NC Medicaid Managed Care quality initiatives. Join us for this informative session which will cover:   Legislative/DHHS Updates  DHHS Quality Strategy Performance Improvement Initiatives  Childhood Immunizations    Diabetes Control   Timeliness of Prenatal/Postpartum Care  Advanced Medical Home Measures  Data and resources    Visit the AHEC Medicaid Managed Care webpage for additional information and registration for upcoming webinars, as well as recordings, slides and transcripts from previous webinars.    New Medicaid Bulletins Available as of Sept. 15   The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published new Medicaid Bulletin articles:   Private Duty Nursing Clinical Coverage Policy 3G-1 for Beneficiaries Age 21 and Older  ICD-10 Annual Update Reminder  Anifrolumab-fnia Injection, for Intravenous Use (Saphnelo™) HCPCS Code J3590: Billing Guidelines  NC Medicaid Managed Care Provider Update – Sept. 15, 2021   Providers are encouraged to review this information. All bulletin articles, including those related to COVID-19, are available on DHB's Medicaid Bulletin webpage How to Prevent Common Errors When Completing Education Verification NCTracks has identified some common errors that providers are experiencing when providing verification of their education on the provider record. Reviewing these frequent issues and their resolutions below may save you time when submitting this information.   Common Error #1: Providers Submit Transcripts Instead of Requesting the School to Send Them   Some providers attempt to send in or upload professional and medical school transcripts to confirm their education. However, school transcripts cannot be submitted by the provider; the official nature of school transcripts requires them to be submitted through the secure email address ([email protected]) or mail (Provider Enrollment, PO Box 300009, Raleigh, NC 27622) only by the school. Providers should contact the school where they completed their highest education and request the school send a transcript through the secure email or mail.    School transcripts must be: Submitted by the professional or medical school only  For the highest level of education completed* Submitted through the secure email address or mailing address   School transcripts CANNOT be: Submitted by the provider Screenshots of the degree/diploma   Common Error #2: Providers Submit Residency Verification Letters Themselves   The residency verification letter must come directly from the residency program, and only if the program was successfully completed.* Internships and fellowships are not recognized or accepted as the highest level of education completed. Residents cannot upload the residency verification letter or send it themselves; they must request that the residency program send it to NCTracks directly by mail or email to the secure email address.    Residency verification letters must: Be on letterhead and include the program details and completion date  Be signed by the program director or coordinator  Be sent from the residency program itself   Residency verification letters CANNOT be: A letter or copy from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or Graduate Medical Education (GME) Submitted by the provider/resident  An internship or fellowship   NCTracks will accept future residency verification letters within three months of future completion.*     *If the residency program has not yet been completed, the provider should enter their professional or medical school as their highest level of education. If currently completing the residency program, the resident should enter their residency information under the Work History section.    A Note on Submission Methods Providers who receive a request for their medical school or residency program transcripts are encouraged to have their school or program use the secure email address [email protected] rather than the mailing address, if their school or program is able to do so. Sending the transcript through the secure email address will avoid any mail delays and will allow for quicker processing and turnaround time for the application.

Cardinal Realignment Report Cardinal has redesigned and updated its realignment web page to direct members and their families, providers, and the community to ongoing realignment information. Cardinal’s Realignment Core Team of executive leaders is meeting weekly with teams of their Partners/Alliance/Sandhills counterparts to monitor project management and transition milestones. Download the Report Here

A Professional’s Guide to Licensure A license information hub for Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Psychologists and Social Workers As telehealth usage increased during the pandemic, FORHP funded new work with the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards to reduce the burden of multi-state licensure. The site provides up-to-date information on emergency regulation and licensing in each state for psychologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists assistants, and social workers.  Read Here

CCNC's Foster Care Program Slide Presentation

Nominations for ANCOR's 2022 Direct Support Professional of the Year Awards Are Now Open! Nominate an Outstanding DSP Today   More than ever before, we've seen first-hand in the past year the incredible lengths direct support professionals (DSPs) will go to ensure the safety, well-being and inclusion in the community of the people they support. And we couldn't be more excited to celebrate the achievements of so many outstanding DSPs. That's why we're thrilled to invite you to nominate one or more DSPs for ANCOR's 2022 Direct Support Professional of the Year Awards!   ANCOR will recognize a national award recipient, as many as 51 state-specific award recipients (for all 50 states and the District of Columbia), and a small handful of recipients of our special category awards. Nominations are being accepted now through 11:59 pm PST on Tuesday, November 30, 2021. Submissions will be reviewed by a committee of judges in late 2021 and early 2022, and nominators will be notified if their nominee(s) has been selected to receive an award by mid-February 2022. Honorees will be recognized in a ceremony at ANCOR’s 2022 Annual Conference, taking place April 11-13 in Miami.   Start Your Nomination Today The nomination window opens during DSP Recognition Week (September 12-18) and nominations will be accepted until 11:59 pm PST on Tuesday, November 30. Start your nomination today!   Frequently Asked Questions To find answers to the most frequently asked questions, visit our FAQs page. Have a question not answered there? Send us an email!   Nominate an Outstanding DSP Today!

Atnea, Anthem, UnitedHealthcare in the News Aetna: The plaintiff discovered that "tens of thousands of children were assigned to [primary care providers] that had no relationship whatsoever to [Aetna]," the suit alleges. A nursing consultant accused Aetna Inc. of overstating the size of its pediatric provider network to illegally obtain Medicaid funding for Pennsylvania children's preventative care, according to a whistleblower complaint in federal court. A newly unsealed whistleblower lawsuit claims that Aetna misrepresented its provider network to secure lucrative Medicaid contracts in Pennsylvania. Read Story Here Anthem, UnitedHealthcare: An Anthem subsidiary was served a federal penalty by CMS for failing to hit the 85% premium spending threshold, banning it from select enrollments starting Jan. 1, 2022.  CMS placed sanctions on three of UnitedHealthcare's Medicare Advantage plans, barring them from being sold in six states.  The penalties come from a CMS oversight and enforcement group that found that between 2018 and 2020, the plans did not meet the 85 percent threshold of premium revenue spent on Medicare Advantage members. Read Story Here

Disability Service Providers Shuttering In Many States Half of states are reporting that Medicaid home and community-based services providers have closed since the start of the pandemic, with many seeing multiple types of services shut their doors. In a survey of Medicaid home and community-based services programs in 41 states that was conducted through mid-July, 25 reported that at least one provider had permanently closed. The findings come in a report released recently from the Kaiser Family Foundation. Read More Here

Peer Recovery as an Evidence-Based Practice: From Science to Impact Download Slides

LAST CALL! WORKFORCE CRISIS SURVEY:  ATTENTION CEOS/EXECUTIVES  Note: this survey is designed for CEOs, Executive Directors, and heads of organizations. A reminder to please fill out our brief workforce survey. We will be closing the survey on 9/21 and your feedback is important. The National Council is striving to raise public awareness about this issue and drive urgency around the need for solutions at the state and federal level. Your responses will help us illuminate the true scope of staffing shortages to state and federal policymakers and help us keep the pressure on lawmakers to create solutions now.

Disabilities and Long-COVID  While the pandemic has highlighted the barriers and challenges facing individuals with disabilities, it has also prompted a conversation around disability resulting from the virus. Limited data suggest that between 10 and 25 percent of adults infected with COVID-19 develop longer-term complications, including fatigue, difficulty concentrating, shortness of breath and dizziness. Recognizing the debilitating effects of long-COVID for some individuals, new guidance from the Biden administration says that long COVID can be considered a disability under civil rights law, if it substantially limits one or more major life activities. Returning to the workplace: Disability advocates are calling for accommodations that were commonplace during the pandemic to remain in place and be embraced by workplaces.   Surviving COVID: NIHCM grantee, Tradeoffs, hosted a podcast episode featuring one woman’s story of living with a disability during the pandemic.  Initiatives & Resources:  Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota’s mobile vaccine buses are helping Minnesotans with disabilities get a COVID-19 vaccine. The Disability Equality Index named BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion, recognizing its employee benefits and human resources policies, the accessibility of its customer-facing digital content and an internship program to support high school students who have intellectual and learning disabilities. NIHCM hosted a webinar on disabilities and the pandemic, including Anthem’s efforts to expand telehealth and increased care options, and address comorbidities and the needs of COVID-19 longhaulers.

Upcoming Events

Monday, September 20, 2021 FFTA Family Search & Engagement Training 4-Parts Session 2: Identifying Critical Family Relationships Time: 1:00 pm thru 2:30 pm    Register Here Free for FFTA members

Tuesday, September 21, 2021 Tailoring, Targeting, And Addressing What Matters: Supporting People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Who are Living With Dementia Time: 2:00 pm thru 3:00 pm    Register Here

New: Wednesday, September 22, 2021 Teen Mental Health and Substance Use Challenges Time: 2:00 pm thru 3:00 pm    Register Here

New: Wednesday, September 22, 2021 CoE Office Hour: Workforce Shortages & Impact on BIPOC Providers, Staff and Caregivers Time: 2:00 pm thru 3:00 pm    Register Here

New: Wednesday, September 22, 2021 Supporting the DSP Workforce: A virtual discussion on experiencing and understanding people on the front lines of whole person-centered care.  Time: 3:00 pm thru 4:00 pm    Register Here

New: Thursday, September 23, 2021 CoE Office Hour: SBIRT with Youth Time: 3:00 pm thru 4:00 pm    Register Here

Friday, September 24, 2021 SESSION 2: Medicaid & Telehealth Data Collection: Surveys, Studies & Advisory Groups Time: 2:00 pm thru 3:30 pm    Register Here

Monday, September 27, 2021 FFTA Family Search & Engagement Training 4-Parts Session 3: Outreach is Key! Time: 1:00 pm thru 2:30 pm    Register Here Free for FFTA members

Tuesday, September 28, 2021 Local Level Advocacy  Time: 9:00 am thru 11:30 am    Register Here

New: Tuesday, September 28, 2021 Monarch & MSHS Share How To Improve Outcomes Using Analytics: Maximize Your Organizational Effectiveness With Analytics & Reporting  Time: 1:00 pm thru 2:00 pm    Register Here

New: Tuesday, September 28, 2021 Exclusive Ways for Nonprofits to Fund Health and Unemployment Insurance Time: 1:00 pm thru 2:00 pm    Register Here

New: Tuesday, September 28, 2021 SBIRT with Adults Time: 3:00 pm thru 4:00 pm    Register Here

New: Wednesday, September 29, 2021 Screening and Treatment for Alzheimer’s and Dementia for Individuals with IDD in Older Adults Time: 12:00 pm thru 1:00 pm    Register Here

New: Thursday, September 30, 2021 Toolkits for Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Agencies to Help Young People Heal and Thrive During and After Natural Disasters Time: 12:00 pm thru 1:00 pm    Register Here

New: Thursday, September 30, 2021 Introductory/Refresher Virtual Youth SBIRT Training Time: 1:00 pm thru 4:00 pm    Register Here

New: Thursday, September 30, 2021 Adolescent Suicide Prevention and Intervention: Best Practices for Mental Health Professionals Time: 1:00 pm thru 2:00 pm    Register Here

New: Thursday, September 30, 2021 CoE Office Hour: SBIRT with Adults Time: 3:00 pm thru 4:00 pm    Register Here

Friday, October 1, 2021 SESSION 3: Medicaid & Other State Agencies Telehealth Policies for Patients with Disabilities Time: 2:00 pm thru 3:30 pm    Register Here

Monday, October 4, 2021 FFTA Family Search & Engagement Training 4-Parts Session 4: Focusing on Engagement in FSE Time: 1:00 pm thru 2:30 pm    Register Here Free for FFTA members

Tuesday, October 5, 2021 State Level Advocacy Time: 9:00 am thru 11:30 am    Register Here

Tuesday, October 5, 2021 NC Children with Complex Needs Training Series  Evidence-Based and Promising Practices to Support the Workforce and Partners Serving Individuals with Mental Illness and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Session 2: Adaptation of Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Work with Autistic Youth: 1.5 Contact Hours Time: 10:00 thru 11:30 am    Register Here

Thursday, October 7, 2021 Benchmarks' Child Welfare Webinar Lisa Cauley Joins Karen McLeod Time: 8:00 am thru 9:00 am    Register Here

Friday, October 8, 2021 SESSION 4: Medicaid & Permanent COVID-19 Telehealth Policies Time: 2:00 pm thru 3:30 pm    Register Here

New: Friday, October 8, 2021 FINAL SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT DEFINITION I/DD & TBI NC MEDICAID AND STATE-FUNDED SERVICE UPDATE WEBINAR & Q/A Time: 6:00 pm thru 7:00 pm    Join Meeting Here

New: Wednesday, October 13, 2021 National Council and AAGP – Webinar #4: Evaluation and Management of the Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Major and Mild Neurological Disorders in Older Adults Time: 2:00 pm thru 3:00 pm    Register Here

Friday, October 15, 2021 Benchmarks' Friday Membership Webinar Dave Richard Joins Karen McLeod Time: 8:30 am thru 9:30 am    Register Here

Tuesday, October 19, 2021 Federal Level Advocacy Time: 9:00 am thru 11:30 am    Register Here

Tuesday, November 2, 2021 NC Children with Complex Needs Training Series  Evidence-Based and Promising Practices to Support the Workforce and Partners Serving Individuals with Mental Illness and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Session 3: Psychopharmacology for Children with Complex Needs: 1.5 Contact Hours Time: 10:00 thru 11:30 am    Register Here