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Benchmarks' Child Welfare Webinar: January 12, 2023


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Benchmarks' Upcoming Webinars


New: Benchmarks' Friday Membership Webinar with Dave Richard and Karen McLeod

Date: Friday, January 20, 2023

Time: 8:30 am thru 10:30 am

Register


New: Benchmarks' Child Welfare Webinar with Karen McLeod, Lisa Cauley & Team

Date: Thursday, February 9, 2023

Time: 8:00 am thru 9:00 am

Register


Benchmarks' Collection of Past Updates

Surplus PPE

NCHA Strategic Partners has been made aware that Duke and FirstHealth have excess personal protective equipment (PPE) from the CARES Act funds they are willing to donate to healthcare providers in North Carolina. The product must stay in the state of NC and in the United States. Below are the lists of available supplies in case quantities/skids and the respective contact information. Please feel free to share with any of your facilities that may be in need.

 

The logistics of obtaining supplies will need to be coordinated with the individual hospitals/health systems. Please have anyone picking up items come in a van, truck, or a U-Haul depending on the volume needed. Keep in mind, the items cannot be broken down into lowest unit of measures such as eaches or boxes. 


Duke Surplus Contact: 

Heather Changet

AVP Supply Chain Site Operations and Logistics

Duke University Health System, Inc.

224-558-9710 – CELL

[email protected]

FirstHealth Surplus Contact

Elizabeth Conway

MMIS/Contract Analyst, Materiel Management

[email protected]

P: (910) 715-1208

HHS Related Senate Committee Announcements


Appropriations/Base Budget

  • Chairs: Sens. Brent Jackson, Ralph Hise, Michael V. Lee
  • Members: Sens. W. Ted Alexander, Lisa S. Barnes, Dan Blue, Danny Earl Britt Jr., Jim Burgin, Jay J. Chaudhuri, Warren Daniel, Carl Ford, Amy S. Galey, Todd Johnson, Joyce Krawiec, Paul A. Lowe Jr., Natasha R. Marcus, Tom McInnis, Mujtaba A. Mohammed, Bill Rabon, Gladys A. Robinson, DeAndrea Salvador, Norman W. Sanderson, Vickie Sawyer, Joyce Waddell, Mike Woodard


Commerce and Insurance:

  • Chairs: Sens. Todd Johnson, David W. Craven Jr., Dean Proctor
  • Members: Sens. Gale Adcock, W. Ted Alexander, Val Applewhite, Sydney Batch, Danny Earl Britt Jr., Kevin Corbin, Michael Garrett, Brent Jackson, Steve Jarvis, Paul A. Lowe Jr., Natasha R. Marcus, Tom McInnis, Timothy D. Moffitt, Paul Newton, Brad Overcash, Jim Perry, Gladys A. Robinson, DeAndrea Salvador, Vickie Sawyer


Education/Higher Education

  • Chairs: Sens. Michael V. Lee, Amy S. Galey
  • Members: Sens. Lisa S. Barnes, Jay J. Chaudhuri, Kevin Corbin, David W. Craven Jr., Michael Garrett, Bobby Hanig, Michael A. Lazzara, Natasha R. Marcus, Julie Mayfield, Tom McInnis, Natalie S. Murdock, E.S. “Buck” Newton, Brad Overcash, Gladys A. Robinson, Norman W. Sanderson, Benton G. Sawrey, Joyce Waddell


Finance

  • Chairs: Sens. Bill Rabon, Paul Newton, Jim Perry
  • Members: Sens. W. Ted Alexander, Sydney Batch, Dan Blue, Danny Earl Britt Jr., Jim Burgin, Jay J. Chaudhuri, David W. Craven Jr., Warren Daniel, Carl Ford, Ralph Hise, Brent Jackson, Todd Johnson, Joyce Krawiec, Michael A. Lazzara, Michael V. Lee, Paul A. Lowe Jr., Natalie S. Murdock, Gladys A. Robinson, DeAndrea Salvador, Vickie Sawyer, Joyce Waddell, Mike Woodard


Health Care

  • Chairs: Sens. Joyce Krawiec, Jim Burgin, Kevin Corbin
  • Members: Sens. Gale Adcock, Lisa S. Barnes, Sydney Batch, Danny Earl Britt Jr., Amy S. Galey, Ralph Hise, Steve Jarvis, Julie Mayfield, Mujtaba A. Mohammed, Jim Perry, Gladys A. Robinson, Benton G. Sawrey, Mike Woodard


Judiciary

  • Chairs: Sens. Danny Earl Britt Jr., Warren Daniel, E.S. “Buck” Newton
  • Members: Sens. Sydney Batch, Dan Blue, Amy S. Galey, Lisa Grafstein, Rachel Hunt, Michael A. Lazzara, Michael V. Lee, Natasha R. Marcus, Mujtaba A. Mohammed, Paul Newton, Brad Overcash, Norman W. Sanderson, Benton G. Sawrey


Rules and Operations of the Senate

  • Chair: Sen. Bill Rabon
  • Vice Chair: Sen. Warren Daniel
  • Members: Sens. Lisa S. Barnes, Dan Blue, Danny Earl Britt Jr., Jay J. Chaudhuri, Ralph Hise, Brent Jackson, Todd Johnson, Joyce Krawiec, Michael V. Lee, Paul A. Lowe Jr., Julie Mayfield, Tom McInnis, Mujtaba A. Mohammed, Paul Newton, Jim Perry, Norman W. Sanderson, Vickie Sawyer, Joyce Waddell, Mike Woodard


Joint Legislative Committee on Governmental Operations

  • Chair: Sen. Phil Berger
  • Members: Sens. Ralph Hise (Ex Officio), Paul Newton (Ex Officio), W. Ted Alexander, Dan Blue, Danny Earl Britt Jr., Jim Burgin, David W. Craven Jr., Warren Daniel, Carl Ford, Michael Garrett, Brent Jackson, Steve Jarvis, Todd Johnson, Joyce Krawiec, Michael V. Lee, Tom McInnis, Jim Perry, Bill Rabon, Gladys A. Robinson, DeAndrea Salvador, Norman W. Sanderson, Vickie Sawyer, Joyce Waddell


Appropriations on Health and Human Services

  • Chairs: Sens. Joyce Krawiec, Jim Burgin, Kevin Corbin
  • Members: Sens. Gale Adcock, Sydney Batch, Dan Blue, Gladys A. Robinson, Benton G. Sawrey, Eddie Settle


Appropriations on Justice and Public Safety

  • Chairs: Sens. Danny Earl Britt Jr., Warren Daniel
  • Members: Sens. Lisa Grafstein, Natasha R. Marcus, Mujtaba A. Mohammed, E.S. “Buck” Newton, Norman W. Sanderson

HHS Renews Public Health Emergency for Another 90 Days.

On January 11, HHS extended the current Public Health Emergency (PHE) declaration for another 90 days. The extension of the PHE means the continuation of flexibilities for health care providers, such as the COVID Waivers issued by CMS.


Read Here


HHS Proposals Open for Comment

Enhanced ePASS Accounts for NC Medicaid Beneficiaries

ePASS is North Carolina’s secure self-service website where beneficiaries can apply for various benefits, view case details, renew their Medicaid and update their information without having to visit or contact their local Department of Social Services.

 

NC Medicaid encourages beneficiaries to create an enhanced ePASS account where they can make sure their contact information is correct and make any updates without having to go through their local DSS.

 

Correct addresses ensure that beneficiaries receive information about how the end of the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency affects their eligibility for Medicaid benefits and other ways to receive health care (e.g., through the marketplace). Although CMS has not announced a date for the end of the PHE, it is anticipated to happen in 2023.

 

To help beneficiaries create an ePASS account, fact sheets are available with step-by-step instructions in English and Spanish

NCDHHS Person-Centered Planning Training

DHHS is implementing a DHHS approved Person Centered Planning training that meets the requirements for service providers responsible for developing a PCP. Person Centered Planning is a collaborative planning practice which emphasizes self-determination and choice in helping individuals to achieve their unique vision of preferred life. Core principles and practices of Person-Centered Planning, and how these differ from traditional approaches, will be reviewed.

 

Participants will receive concrete guidance in both the process and documentation of Person-Centered Planning, including strategies for respecting strengths-based, person-centered principles while also satisfying expectations associated with clinical, accreditation, and fiscal regulations. Hypothetical, case-based examples of quality Person Centered Plans will be shared as a way of illustrating key quality elements. There are five live virtual training sessions to choose from.

 

The training will be recorded and posted online for future use. This training will be offered free of charge. Live virtual training dates are:

 

Visit the Person-Centered Planning Training webpage for more information.

Proposed Medicaid and NC Health Choice Policies

Delay in Division of Health Service Regulation License Renewal Updates

NC Medicaid implemented system changes on May 9, 2021, requiring providers to keep credentials current on their NCTracks provider enrollment record. See the Expiring Provider Credential Notices bulletin article for more information. The expiring credential must be verified as renewed through the licensing entity prior to being updated on the NCTracks record. Reporting a credential update through a Manage Change Request (MCR) that cannot be verified will cause no change to the expiration date on the NCTracks record and automated processes as described in the bulletin article will continue.

 

NC Medicaid is aware and collaborating with the Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR) regarding the inventory of pending license renewals. In addition, DHSR sends NC Medicaid a licensure file each week which is used to update the NCTracks provider enrollment record. As provider licenses are renewed, the information is shared with NC Medicaid and updates are automatically made on the NCTracks record. Providers may also report the license renewal using the NCTracks MCR process upon notification from DHSR that the license is renewed, knowing that NCTracks will verify the status and new expiration date using the file received from DHSR prior to updating the NCTracks enrollment record. Any taxonomies suspended due to the expired license will be returned to active status upon verification of the renewed credential and any claims pended due to the suspension will be released for payment.

 

For inquiries related to the status of your license, please contact DHSR. For assistance with submitting an MCR, please contact GDIT.


Invitation for Early Re-verification Coming Soon

In early Jan. 2023, the Division of Health Benefits (DHB) will begin offering providers who have been enrolled more than five years the unique opportunity to complete their re-verification applications in advance of their re-verification due date to reduce the administrative burden when re-verifications are due again.

 

Re-verification requirements have been temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). However, when the federal PHE ends, re-verification activities will resume for providers enrolled in NC Medicaid. To more evenly distribute the growing number of re-verifications that will be due, DHB plans to offer a one-time opportunity for providers to complete re-verification early. This offer will allow providers to avoid payment of the NC Application Fee ($100), which is currently waived through June 30, 2023.

 

A letter will be sent to providers’ message center inbox sometime between Jan. and March 2023 extending the offer to complete early re-verification. Providers are encouraged to look for this invitation via the Status and Management portal and complete re-verification early when the notice is received. 

 

Once the early re-verification offer letter is received, re-verification applications will only be available for 30 days; providers must submit within the 30 days to take advantage of this offer. We encourage providers to participate in this one-time program to remove the burden of a required submission later and to avoid costs.

 

For more information on re-verification, please see the NCTracks Provider Re-credentialing/Re-verification page.


1099s to be Mailed Next Week 

The 1099s will be mailed during the week of Monday, Jan. 16, 2023. The 1099s will be sent to the “1099 Reporting/Pay-To Address” location currently on the provider file. Due to postal service volume, providers should allow 7 to 10 business days to receive a 1099. For more information about the 1099s, refer to the 1099 Frequently Asked Questions on the NCTracks Provider Portal.


Update to Documentation Requirements for Exclusion Sanction Questions

Effective Jan. 29, 2023, requirements for exclusion sanction question documentation will be updated. Currently, when an exclusion sanction question is answered ‘yes,’ providers must submit a complete copy of the applicable documentation or a written explanation of the supporting documentation. With this update, both will be required.

 

Please note the updated requirements below. If these requirements are not met, an ‘application incomplete’ letter will be generated, prompting the provider to submit the proper documentation.*

 

Answering Exclusion Sanction Questions

Exclusion sanction questions will be required upon submission of every new application (manage change requests (MCRs), re-verification and re-enrollment applications).

 

Failure to disclose documentation related to an affirmative response will result in a denial of the application. Background checks are performed for all applications. If a provider answers affirmatively during their initial enrollment, they must continue to answer affirmatively and disclose all applicable adverse legal actions in subsequently submitted applications. 

 

Documentation Required

Documentation clearly indicating the final resolution must be submitted with every application (initial enrollment, MCR, re-verification and re-enrollment application) regardless of the date last submitted.

 

Supporting documentation may include but is not limited to:

 

  • Criminal complaint
  • Consent Order
  • Court documentation
  • Final Disposition

 

Documentation must be provided for every exclusion sanction question answered yes; however, the documentation may be applicable to more than one sanction question. Documentation may be uploaded at the same time/as one file.

 

Written Explanation Signed and Dated by Responsible Party

A thorough written explanation for each question answered affirmatively must be signed and dated by the responsible party within six months of the application date.

 

  • For individual applications, the provider must sign and date the explanation
  • If the responsible party is an organization, the provider's office administrator must sign and date the explanation

 

The written explanation must include a reference to the reported adverse legal actions including date and the final resolution. 

 

Date Congruency

All dates must align between the documentation provided and dates reported in the application. This includes the date listed on legal documentation, the written explanation and reported in the Exclusion Sanction section of the application.

 

During the background check process, all dates will be checked for accuracy. Dates that do not align will delay the application process.

 

*NCTracks will inform the provider of the exact reason why the application was deemed incomplete, including itemization of the supporting documentation that is missing from the application.



The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published new Medicaid Bulletin articles:

 

 

January 2023 Pharmacy Newsletter Now Available

The latest Medicaid Pharmacy Newsletter, dated January 2023, is now available on the N.C. Medicaid website. In addition to the February 2023 checkwrite schedule, this edition of the newsletter includes the articles:

 

  • Update: OTC COVID-19 Tests for Home Use Pharmacy POS Coverage, List of Covered Tests Expanded
  • Oseltamivir Shortage
  • Changes to Pharmacy Professional Dispensing Fee (for Covered Outpatient Drugs) and PADP 340B LARC Reimbursement Methodology

 

Providers are encouraged to review this important information. The 2023 Medicaid Pharmacy Newsletters can be viewed here.


NCTracks Call Center and Checkwrite Schedule for Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

 

The NCTracks Call Center will be closed Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. 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 2023 checkwrite schedule, because of the federal holiday, the checkwrite the week of the holiday will be on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023. 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 (1/19/2023). 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 (1/20/2023) afternoon. (Some may post sooner.)

 



Providers are encouraged to review this information. All bulletin articles, including those related to COVID-19, are available on DHB's Medicaid Bulletin webpage.

Children and Family Futures is pleased to share this important grant opportunity. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has recently provided grant application information for adult and family treatment drug courts. 

 

Grants to Expand Substance Use Disorder Treatment Capacity in Adult and Family Treatment Drug Courts

Application Due Date: Monday, March 6, 2023


The purpose of this program is to expand substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and recovery support services in existing drug courts. The program recognizes the need for treatment instead of incarceration for individuals with SUDs. These awards provide a continuum of care, including prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery services for individuals with SUD and their families who are involved in court programs.

SAMHSA plans to issue up to 81 grants of up to $400,000 per year for up to 5 years.

Care Extenders with Lived Experience Can Advance Whole Person Care

The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities and Community Bridges have released a new white paper titled Mission Possible: Advancing Whole Person Care by Employing People with I/DD & Family Members as Care Extenders.

 

The new Care Extender waiver service definition creates a pivotal opportunity to advance paid, professional family navigation and peer support services in the North Carolina I/DD service system.


The report includes the following:

 

  • What NCCDD & Community Bridges learned during 60+ interviews with individuals with I/DD, family members, DD providers, advocacy organizations, health care providers, and state policymakers.
  • Recommendations for short-term and long-term strategies that can address structural barriers and promote systems change.
  • Vignettes that illustrate how peers and family members can provide valuable and unique care extender services; and,
  •  Related resources.

 

This report aims to provide information and recommendations that advance the role of Care Extenders with lived experience in Tailored Plans.

 

NCCDD & Community Bridges appreciate everyone’s contributions to this project and the investment and focus on the role of Care Extenders with Lived Experience in Medicaid Transformation. 

 

The Care Extender White Paper Project Team:

 

  • Kelly Friedlander
  •  Karen Luken
  • Jade McWilliams
  •  Sheron Mosby

 

View the complete report and resources here

 

The summary report of the Care Extenders White Paper project is funded by NCCDD. 

IRS Increases Limit for ABLE Accounts

People with disabilities can save more money without jeopardizing eligibility for government benefits thanks to a change in tax rules for the new year. 

Read More

PHI's Direct Care Workforce State Index

Our new online tool aims to help state leaders understand how they support direct care workers and how they compare to other states.


Read Here

IRS delays $600 reporting threshold change for issuing Form 1099-K

The IRS announced a delay to the change of reporting thresholds for third-party settlement organizations. Third-party settlement organizations will not be required to report tax year 2022 transactions on a Form 1099-K to the IRS or the payee for the lower, $600 threshold amount.

The IRS released guidance outlining that calendar year 2022 will be a transition period for implementation of the lowered threshold reporting that would generate Form 1099-Ks for taxpayers. This news release is also available in Spanish and Simplified Chinese.


Updated frequently asked questions about Form 1099-K further details these changes.


Clean energy credits

Home improvements and residential expenditures

The IRS released frequently asked questions (FAQs) about energy efficient home improvements and residential clean energy property credits. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) amended the credits for energy efficient home improvements and residential energy property. These FAQs provide details on the IRA’s changes to these tax credits, information on eligible expenditures, and provides examples of how the credit limitations work.

Clean vehicles guidance

Treasury and IRS set out procedures for manufacturers, sellers of clean vehicles



Standard mileage rates for 2023; Business use increases 3 cents per mile

The IRS issued the 2023 optional standard mileage rates for calculating deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.


Notice 2023-03 contains the optional 2023 standard mileage rates, as well as the maximum automobile cost used to calculate the allowance.

CMS Efforts to Improve Access to Specialty Care

Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued new guidance to clarify that state Medicaid and CHIP programs will be able to pay specialists directly when a beneficiary’s primary health care provider asks for advice. The aim is to help improve access to specialty care, particularly mental health care services


Citing FORHP-supported research, CMS notes that, “Rural areas face the most significant provider shortage challenges; more than 60 percent of nonmetropolitan counties do not have a psychiatrist and almost half of nonmetropolitan counties do not have a psychologist.” Up to now, providers referring a patient to specialty care were required to coordinate payment through separate agreements with the treating practitioner. The new policy gives state-level Medicaid and CHIP agencies the flexibility to reimburse consulting practitioners directly. Importantly, these consultations can occur when the beneficiary is not physically present.


To be covered under Medicaid or CHIP, both the treating practitioner and the consulting practitioner must be enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP. For consultations that cross state lines, consulting practitioners must be an enrolled Medicaid or CHIP provider in the state in which the beneficiary resides. For more information, see the State Health Official Letter available on Medicaid.gov.

NC: U.S. Attorney Announces Human-Trafficking Task Force and Multi-Prong Effort To Combat Trafficking in Eastern North Carolina (Press release)

U.S. Attorney Michael Easley is announcing efforts to combat human trafficking including the launch of a dedicated task force, and increased community outreach and education to raise awareness. As part of the annual observation of January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Easley also highlighted several successful human trafficking prosecutions led by his office.


Read Here


NC: Open Table receives grant from SECU Foundation to help youth aging out of foster care system (Press release)

SECU Foundation recently provided a $40,000 grant to Open Table, a non-profit organization that supports community partners across the state to promote independence and self-sufficiency for transitional-age youth aging out of the foster care system. The funding will help strengthen the organization's relationship network and expand services in rural northwestern communities of North Carolina.


Read More

Upcoming Events

New: Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Advancing Trauma- and Resilience-Informed Health Care Systems: Early Lessons from Denver Health


Time: 1:30 pm thru 3:00 pm



Register

New: Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Interactive Monthly Update


Time: 2:00 pm thru 3:00 pm



Register

New: Thursday, January 19, 2023

Supporting Providers of Color: Practices to Diversify the Workforce and Improve Retention


Time: 12:00 pm thru 1:30 pm


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New: Thursday, January 19, 2023

Peer Leadership Development, Networking, & Support


Time: 1:00 pm thru 2:00 pm


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New: Friday, January 20, 2023

Benchmarks' Friday Membership Webinar with Dave Richard and Karen McLeod

Time: 8:30 am thru 10:30 am


Register

New: Monday, January 23, 2023

Joint DMH/DD/SAS and DHB Consumer Monthly Webinar


Time: 2:00 pm thru 3:00 pm


Register

New: Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Hear from CDC and Others about the Newly Awarded $3 Billion in Public Health Infrastructure Grants


Time: 2:00 pm thru 3:00 pm


Join Here

New: Tuesday, January 24, 2023

NC Medicaid Managed Care Virtual Education Series


Time: English 6:00 pm thru 7:00 pm

Spanish 7:30 pm thru 8:30 pm


Register

New: Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Administrative Simplification: Adoption of Standards for Health Care Attachments Transactions and Electronic Signatures, and Modification to Referral Certification and Authorization Transaction Standard Proposed Rule Call


Time: 2:00 pm thru 3:30 pm


Register

New: Thursday, January 26, 2023

Tailored Plan Care Management Learning Collaborative 


Time: 9:30 am thru 11:00 am


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New: Thursday, January 26, 2023

Building a happier and healthier workplace: The new shape of work webinar


Time: 12:00 pm thru 1:00 pm


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Monday, January 30, 2023

How to Connect Call


Time: 12:00 pm thru 1:00 pm


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New: Thursday, February 2, 2023

The Critical Role of Dads: Exploring the Benefits of Father-Friendly Pediatric Care


Time: 2:00 pm thru 3:15 pm


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New: Thursday, February 2, 2023

Virtual & In-Person: Launching North Carolina's State Transformation Collaborative


Time: 3:00 pm thru 5:00 pm


Location: In-Person at Geneen Auditorium, Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, 100 Fuqua Drive, Durham, NC 27708


Register for In-Person


Register for Virtual

New: Wednesday, February 8, 2023

Administrative Simplification: Adoption of Standards for Health Care Attachments Transactions and Electronic Signatures, and Modification to Referral Certification and Authorization Transaction Standard Proposed Rule Call


Time: 2:00 pm thru 3:30 pm


Register

New: Thursday, February 9, 2023

Benchmarks' Child Welfare Webinar with Karen McLeod, Lisa Cauley & Team


Time: 8:00 am thru 9:00 am


Register

New: Wednesday & Thursday, February 22 & 23, 2023

Alliance: Assessment and Treatment of Juvenile Sex Offenders


Time: 9:00 am thru 12:15 pm (both days)


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New: Thursday, February 23, 2023

The Impact of Youth Voices in Transforming Pediatric Care


Time: 2:00 pm thru 3:15 pm


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New: Thursday, March 16, 2023

Webinar: Psychiatric Advance Directives (PADs): An Introduction


Time: 1:00 pm thru 2:30 pm


Register

Tailored Care Management Educational Offerings

Ongoing Webinar Sessions and Trainings: Some are free, some require a fee, and some are for CMA organizations that have passed the desk review only.

NC AHEC has partnered with the NC Department of Health and Human Services and Division of Health Benefits to equip Tailored Care Management (TCM) candidates with the tools and knowledge to effectively provide care management services to North Carolina’s Tailored Plan beneficiaries through Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities. Find a list of monthly offerings below and join us for one or for all!