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Updates and Announcements
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Time-Sensitive: Medicaid and CHIP distribution of the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Webinars
Sincere apologies for the short notice on this, but HHS and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) are organizing two focus group sessions on the Medicaid and CHIP distribution of the Provider Relief Fund (PRF). The PRF supports American families, workers, and the heroic healthcare providers in the battle against the COVID-19 outbreak. HHS is distributing $175 billion to hospitals and healthcare providers on the front lines of the coronavirus response.
The purpose of these focus groups is to identify opportunities to increase application volumes in the current Medicaid/CHIP distribution, which is intended to support eligible providers with $15B in funding. The focus group discussion will center on three topics:
- Awareness of the PRF program and Medicaid/CHIP distribution
- Understanding of program components, such as eligibility
- Technical challenges faced during the application process
These sessions will be held on Tuesday, July 21
st from 6:30 - 7:30 pm ET and Wednesday, July 22nd
from 3:00 - 4:00 pm ET. We would greatly appreciate your participation and look forward to hearing your valuable input on the experiences of providers with the Medicaid and CHIP distribution of the Provider Relief Fund. We would also welcome your support in identifying and encouraging Medicaid and CHIP providers to participate the focus groups.
To confirm your participation, please send an email to
preston.white@mckinsey.com
with your name, email, title, organization and state, and note which session you would like to attend.
Thank you for your collaboration to improve the PRF program and how we support providers in their coronavirus response. More information can be found on the Medicaid/CHIP distribution at the
PRF website
and in the
Medicaid/CHIP distribution fact sheet
.
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New Federal Deadline for Medicaid Providers - Special Bulletin COVID-19 #113
We wanted to inform you that there is a new federal deadline of
Aug. 3, 2020 for Medicaid providers to apply for federal Provider Relief Funds. This funding is aimed at Medicaid and CHIP providers that have not yet received an allocation from the CARES Act.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has observed that there have been low levels of applications from eligible providers. We understand there has been confusion in accessing different CARES funding streams, challenges in submitting required information amidst the public health emergency, and lack of clarity about this funding deadline. We encourage providers to apply if they think they might be eligible.
Thank you for your dedication and commitment to ensure our North Carolina Medicaid beneficiaries receive the services and treatment they need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
HCBS Stakeholder Updates
We hope this email finds you well and healthy. Below, you will find updates and pertinent HCBS-related information.
Stakeholder Meetings
- Reminder: HCBS updates will be provided via email and the DHHS HCBS Internal Team will schedule face-to-face meetings as needed.
Validation Efforts
- Due to COVID-19 response efforts, North Carolina HCBS Validation efforts have been suspended. The validation period and timelines will continue to be reviewed on an ongoing basis as this is a rapidly evolving situation.
- 2nd quarter MIE Threshold Reports submitted are currently being reviewed by the DHHS HCBS Internal Team.
- The DHHS internal look-behind process was completed for 1st quarter and 2nd quarter, and LME-MCO follow-up is pending.
- The DHHS HCBS Internal Team submitted requests for 3rd quarter look-behind documentation; Reviews will be completed on approximately ninety sites.
- Once all sites have been validated, DHHS will update the Statewide Transition Plan and post for public comment prior to submission to CMS for final STP approval.
Heightened Scrutiny
- As the DHHS HCBS Internal Team moves forward with the Validation process, DHHS is continuing to provide additional technical assistance to sites that may meet heightened scrutiny threshold.
- As a reminder, heightened scrutiny is not only about the physical location but also sites that may be perceived as isolating.
HCBS Database
- The HCBS Database uplift roll-out has been delayed due to COVID-19 response efforts.
- Database uplift testing began in April and is currently occurring in three phases; Phase 1- HCBS Provider Self-Assessments, Phase 2- MIE Surveys, and Phase 3- Heightened Scrutiny Assessments.
- Phase 1 testing for HCBS Provider Self-Assessments was completed 7/2/2020.
- Phase 2 testing commenced 7/7/2020 and is scheduled to be complete by the end of August 2020.
Seeking Feedback: Database Uplift Feature
- In an effort to move the HCBS database uplift to the production phase and onto a more secure platform without delay or security issues, a change within uplift has been made to the HCBS Provider Self-Assessment that will impact the LME-MCO/CAP-DA review. In the current system, the below screenshot is the view of follow-up information/plan of action taken and timelines when an HCBS characteristic has been marked emerging or insufficient integration.
- In uplift, as seen below, this feature has been removed and would instead require the reviewing entity to enter additional information and/or questions in the field provided should an HCBS characteristic be marked emerging or insufficient integration. Please note, however, tracking and timestamps of reviewing entity pended questions and provider responses is a new part of uplift that will also be beneficial in light of this change.
- This change could be temporary with this feature returned once the database is moved to the new platform or it could be a permanent change, depending on LME-MCO/CAP-DA and stakeholder preference.
- In turn, the DHHS HCBS Internal Team is seeking your feedback on this change within uplift to the HCBS Provider Self-Assessment. Please respond no later than COB Friday, July 24, 2020 with any comments, feedback, or concerns you may have regarding this change. In the event that we do not receive feedback otherwise, we will be moving forward with the permanent removal of this feature.
Thank you for your continued support of Home and Community Based Services. Please let us know if you have any questionsor feedback (or need additional time to review) regarding these updates by emailing
HCBSTransPlan@dhhs.nc.gov
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SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #113: Deadline Extended for Federal Provider Relief Funds for Medicaid Providers
The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published another Medicaid Bulletin article related to COVID-19:
SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #113: Deadline Extended for Federal Provider Relief Funds for Medicaid Providers
On July 17, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced that the deadline for Medicaid/CHIP providers to submit their financial data to apply for federal Provider Relief Funds has been extended to Aug. 3, 2020. Since there has been low participation in this opportunity to date, providers that have not yet submitted their applications are encouraged to do so to receive funding by the deadline.
More details
Updated FAQs Now Available About New Information Required in Applications for Individual Providers
Updates to FAQ pages have been made in accordance with the
previously announced
upcoming change to the NCTracks system regarding new information being required in applications for individual providers. These pages now have updated and additional/new FAQs:
- Common Enrollment Application Issues FAQs
- Provider Enrollment FAQs
- Provider Re-credentialing/Re-verification FAQs
- Ordering, Prescribing, Rendering or Referring Provider (OPR) FAQs
These FAQ pages also now include links to:
- Sample Individual Provider Agreement
- Full list of Exclusion Sanction Questions
- Preview of the new Provider Supplemental Information page and its questions
In addition, several resources are also now available to you for more details on the upcoming changes:
- Training schedule for courses in July on new information being required in applications for individual providers
- Recent announcement with more details on new information required in applications for individual providers
- Initial announcement with overview of changes
- Sample Individual Provider Agreement (PDF) - available as a PDF under Quick Links on the Providers home page
- New FAQ page, NCTracks Provider Data Collection FAQs with an extensive list of common provider questions. This page also includes links to:
- Sample Individual Provider Agreement
- Full list of Exclusion Sanction Questions
- Preview of the new Provider Supplemental Information page and its questions
More resources will be available soon, including updated user guides and job aids and more. For the most current updates including resources and training, please check back on the
NCTracks website
and read NCTracks email updates when available.
Additional Training Resources Coming on New Information Required in Applications for Individual Providers
It was
previously announced
that effective July 26, 2020, NCTracks will store, capture and validate the following:
- Print, sign and upload an Individual Agreement.
- The office administrator (OA) cannot complete this for the provider.
- Any conditions that might impact ability to perform job duties
- Malpractice settlement history (past five years)
- Work history as a health professional (past five years, if more than six month gap, explanation of gap)
- Malpractice insurance (coverage type and amount)
- Highest level of education
Additional information providers should note:
Additional training resources will available July 24, 2020 on the
previously announced
upcoming change to the NCTracks system regarding new information being required in applications for individual providers. These resources will be accessible in SkillPort, the NCTracks Learning Management System. Log onto the secure NCTracks Provider Portal and click Provider Training to access SkillPort. Please see the list of new and updated training resources below:
Instructor-Led Trainings (ILTs):
- PRV596 - Ordering, Prescribing, Rendering Provider Enrollment
- PRV572 - Overview Reverification and Manage Change Request Data
- PRV531 - Provider Web Portal Applications
- PRV604 - Changes to Individual Provider Application Process
Job Aid (JA):
Participant User Guides (PUGs):
- PRV596 - Ordering, Prescribing, Rendering Provider Enrollment
- PRV562 - Enrollment Specialist User Role, Upload Documents, Abbreviated Manage Change Request
- PUG_PRV111 - Provider Web Portal Applications
In addition, the
previously announced instructor-led training courses
are still available for registration.
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When You Can be Around Others
If you think or know you had COVID-19, and you had symptoms, you can be with others after
- At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared and
- At least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medication and
- Symptoms have improved
More Information
Highlighted Resources
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SAMHSA is inviting the North Carolina public to send comments
Greetings from Disability Rights North Carolina!
As part of their oversight, SAMHSA does an in-depth review of several state programs each year. DRNC is one of the programs being reviewed this year. If you would like to provide feedback on the quality of our PAIMI services, please see below. The deadline to submit feedback is August 6, 2020. Thank you!
Notice of Public Comment Opportunity
Representatives from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) will be conducting a review of Disability Rights North Carolina's (DRNC's) PAIMI program August 4-6, 2020.
SAMHSA/CMHS invites you to send comments about the PAIMI program services and activities conducted by DRNC.
PAIMI Program Coordinator
SAMHSA/CMHS
5600 Fishers Lane, Suite 14E25D
Rockville, Maryland 20857
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Wednesday: July 22, 2020
Time: 8:45 am thru 11:15 am
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Wednesday: July 22, 2020
Series: Hurricane Season and COVID-19: How Families of Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Can Be Prepared
Part 2:
How State and Local Officials are Preparing during COVID-19
Time: 11:00 am
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Wednesday: July 22, 2020
COVID-19 and Its Impact on Neurological Functioning, presented by Dr. Michael Hall
Time: 2:00 pm
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Thursday, July 23 thru Friday, July 24, 2020
American Heart Association Basic Life Support Provider Course
This course covers CPR, AED use, Rescue Breathing, Opioid Emergencies, and Choking Relief for Adult, Child, and Infant.
The AHA BLS Provider course DOES NOT include First Aid training.
Time: July 23, 2020 at 9:00 am thru July 24, 2020 at 12:00 pm
Note: There is a registration fee of $80.00 for this course
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Thursday, July 23, 2020
Autism and Covid-19: Teaching the rules in this new norm
Time: 11:30 am thru 1:00 pm
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Thursday, July 23, 2020
Information Session Care Review Team
Time: 11:00 am thru 12:30 pm
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Thursday, July 23, 2020
Time: 12:00 pm thru 1:00 pm
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Thursday, July 23, 2020
Time: 1:00 pm thru 3:00 pm
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Thursday, July 23, 2020
COVID-19 Q&A Webinar for Behavioral Health Care
Time: 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm EST
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Thursday, July 23, 2020
Time: 2:00 pm thru 3:00 pm
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Friday: July 24, 2020
Time: 8:30 am thru 9:30 pm
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Tuesday: July 28, 2020
On the Frontline: Promoting Self-Care Practices and Psychological Well-Being During a Crisis
Time: 9:00 am thru 10:00 am
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Tuesday: July 28, 2020
An Introduction to Youth Problem Gambling
Time: 10:00 am thu 2:30 pm
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New: Wednesday: July 29, 2020
Human Service Provision in High Stress Environments, Skills and Strategies for Provider Self-Care
Time: 10:00 am thu 11:30 am
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Wednesday: July 29, 2020
On the Frontline: How to Manage Anxiety and Worry During a Crisis (New Time)
Time: 10:00 am thu 11:00
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Wednesday: July 29, 2020
Adverse Childhood Experiences and Resilience-Focused Skills Lab
Time: 10:00 am thu 2:30 pm
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Wednesday: July 29, 2020
Time: 12:00 pm thru 1:00 pm
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Wednesday: July 29, 2020
A to Zs of COVID-19 for Families and Individuals
with I-DD
Time: 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
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Wednesday: July 29, 2020
Series: Hurricane Season and COVID-19: How Families of Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Can Be Prepared
Part 3:
Recovery, Resources, and Questions Answered about Preparing during COVID-19
Time: 1:00 pm thru 2:00 pm EST
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Wednesday: July 29, 2020
Accreditation for the Changing Face of Addiction Treatment
Time: 1:00 pm thru 2:00 pm EST
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New: Thursday: July 30, 2020
Human Service Provision in High Stress Environments, Skills and Strategies for Provider Self-Care
Time: 2:00 pm thru 3:30 pm
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Tuesday: August 4, 2020
Addressing the Intersection of Substance Use and Suicide: Strategies for Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment
Time: 2:00 pm thru 3:30 pm
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Please click on each of the following links to view details sent out from each LME/MCO.
Benchmarks' wants to be sure to make the following list handy for our members to visit and suggests a peek at least once per week to find information that may be pertinent to your agency and contracts.
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