FW: New COVID-19 Special Bulletins for Medicaid Providers
Sent on Behalf of the NC Medicaid, Division of Health Benefits
NC Medicaid is sharing two new COVID-19 special bulletins for Medicaid providers.
 
SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #187: NC Medicaid Replacing Outbreak Rates with Single, Uniform Public Health Emergency Rate
NC Medicaid is updating the special focused financial assistance to Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) provided through outbreak rates. These rates were designed to address the higher costs of caring for Medicaid beneficiaries who were COVID-positive (COVID+). 
 
In light of evolving needs in SNFs, in place of the outbreak rates, NC Medicaid will provide all SNFs a single, uniform temporary rate increase that will enable them all to better address the various increased costs associated with staffing during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). More information is available in SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #187: NC Medicaid Replacing Outbreak Rates with Single, Uniform Public Health Emergency Rate.
 
SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #188: Extension of Temporary Suspension of Prior Authorization for Post-Acute Placements
Due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) and to expedite a hospital’s ability to discharge patients to lower levels of care when medically appropriate, the prior authorization (PA) waiver is extended to Oct. 15, 2021, for:
  • Medically necessary new admissions who are being directly discharged from a hospital setting into a nursing home; and
  • Medically necessary Inpatient Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care Hospital admissions.
 
 
Thank you for your assistance.
- Dave

Dave Richard
Deputy Secretary
NC Medicaid
Division of Health Benefits
 
Office: 919-855-4101
Mobile: 919-500-1596
 
1985 Umstead Drive, Kirby Building
2501 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-2501