Dear Benchmarks' members,

As we enter into a weekend of sorts (it has been hard to tell what day it even is lately) we want to be sure to share with you just how grateful we are for you and the work that you get up and do each and every day for the people needing services in North Carolina.  We also are beyond thankful for your feedback, information, ideas and support during these unprecedented weeks and possibly months ahead, please continue to share examples with us.  Thank you!  

Please continue to send Karen and I any and all examples of situations affecting your agency, your staff and the people you serve.

See below for the latest announcement (four page letter mentioned on the 3:00 pm call today) and more.

Wishing each of you a few moments of peace, and loads of health and safety this weekend,

The Benchmarks' Team
Providers,
 
Thanks to those of you that were able to join the call.  Attached is the letter I referenced on the call and outlines our mutual work with the LME/MCOs to create as much flexibility as possible to support each of you in the important work you do.   
We will be having another call soon for continued discussion and feedback.  Meanwhile, if you continue to have questions that are not answered in the above guidance, please email BHIDD.COVID.Qs@dhhs.nc.gov.  Thank you for reviewing all guidance before asking questions - we are getting a lot, and often, the answers are in the guidance released already.
 
We will have additional guidance coming out soon for BHIDD Outpatient Services, Group Homes, and In-Home Services.
 
Best,
 
Kody H. Kinsley

Friday, March 20
  • NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen callsOpen PDF for doctor/nurse/non-clinical volunteers to bolster the state's health care system
  • Governor Cooper pushes for key federal changes to make food and health care more accessible
  • NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen requests providers cancelOpen PDF elective and non-urgent and procedures and surgeries.
  • Guidance letter sentOpen PDF to LME/MCOs
  • The NC Department of Revenue announces the tax deadline is extended t July 15

Update to March 2020 Provider Training - All Classes to Be Held Online
Due to the current state of COVID-19, NCTracks has made the difficult decision to make all provider training courses online only.

All March 2020 provider training courses will now be held online; courses that were originally scheduled to be on-site will now be held via WebEx. The days, times and registered participants of all courses remain the same; providers do not need to register again if they have already done so.

The following remaining courses that were previously on-site have been affected. Please see the updated descriptions below:

Prior Approval Medical (WebEx)
Wednesday March 25, 2020, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
This course shows authorized users how to electronically submit and inquire about prior approvals for different kinds of medical services. After completing this course, authorized users will be able to:
* Submit prior approval requests
* Complete prior approval inquiries

Submitting a Professional Claim (WebEx)
Wednesday March 25, 2020, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
This course will guide authorized users through the process of submitting a professional (CMS-1500) claim using the NCTracks web portal. The user will learn what they need to know to file a claim and how to easily navigate the claims entry screens. At the end of this training, authorized users will be able to:
* Create an initial claim
* Save a claim draft
* Use the Claims Draft Search tool
* Submit a claim
* View results of a claim submission
* Perform a claim status search
* Copy a claim
* Resubmit a claim
* Void or replace a prior claim

April 2020 Provider Training Available
Registration is open for the April 2020 instructor-led provider training courses listed below. Slots are limited. WebEx courses can be attended remotely from any location with a telephone, computer and internet connection. Please note that as of January 1, 2020, the WebEx information has changed. See the Training Enrollment Instructions below for details.

OPR Lite Enrollment (WebEx)
Wednesday April 8, 2020, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
This course will cover the differences between a Full Provider Enrollment and an Ordering, Prescribing and Rendering (OPR) Lite provider enrollment. At the end of the course, authorized users will be able to:
* Submit an OPR Lite Application
* Upgrade from an OPR Lite provider to a fully enrolled provider via Manage Change Request (MCR)

Dental Helpful Hints (WebEx)
Tuesday, April 14, 2020, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
At the end of the course, authorized users will be able to:
* Identify the three methods of prior approval submission
* Identify how to upload documents when submitting prior approval
* Identify the most common errors when completing American Dental Association (ADA) forms
* Identify common errors that require requests for prior approval additional information
* Identify the common mistakes when submitting claims

Ortho Helpful Hints (WebEx)
Wednesday, April 15, 2020, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
This course discusses some helpful tips to remember when submitting an Orthodontic Prior Approval. (Note: This course will not provide instructions on how to submit an Orthodontic Prior Approval.)
At the end of training, authorized users will be able to:
* Identify the three methods of prior approval submission
* Identify how to upload documents when submitting prior approvals
* Identify the most common errors when completing an ADA form
* Identify common prior approval submission errors that require additional information
* Request payment for orthodontic records
* Submit prior approval for orthodontic treatment requiring orthodontic surgery
* Use the orthodontic prior approval attachment forms

Prior Approval Medical (WebEx)
Tuesday, April 21, 2020 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
This course shows authorized users how to electronically submit and inquire about prior approvals for different kinds of medical services. After completing this course, authorized users will be able to:
* Submit prior approval requests
* Complete prior approval inquiries

Submitting a Professional Claim (WebEx)
Tuesday April 21, 2020 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
This course will guide authorized users through the process of submitting a professional (CMS-1500) claim using the NCTracks web portal. The authorized user will learn what they need to know to file a claim and how to easily navigate the claims entry screens. At the end of this training, authorized users will be able to:
* Create an initial claim
* Save a claim draft
* Use the Claims Draft Search tool
* Submit a claim
* View results of a claim submission
* Perform a claim status search
* Copy a claim
* Resubmit a claim
* Void or replace a prior claim

ES User Role_Abbr. MCR_Upload Documents (WebEx)
Wednesday, April 22, 2020, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
This course will guide authorized users through the following enhancements to the provider enrollment application processes:
* Updating the Enrollment Specialist user role
* Uploading supporting documents
* Submit abbreviated MCR applications

Training Enrollment Instructions
Providers can register for these courses in SkillPort, the NCTracks Learning Management System. Log onto the secure NCTracks Provider Portal and click Provider Training to access SkillPort. Open the folder labeled Provider Computer-Based Training (CBT) and Instructor Led Training (ILT). The courses can be found in the sub-folder labeled ILTs: Remote via WebEx.

To access WebEx online training sessions:
* From an internet browser, enter the URL https://gditmeetings.webex.com/meet/esther.crider
* Enter 711 563 557 in the Enter meeting information field
* Enter your first and last name
* Enter your email address

If this is your first time using the new CSRA Web Meeting, it is suggested that you begin the process 15 minutes prior to the start of the call. This will allow you sufficient time to download the required software to access the Web Meeting. To hear the audio portion of the class, dial 1-866-523-9994. Enter Access code 711 563 557.

Refer to the Provider Training page of the public Provider Portal for specific instructions on how to use SkillPort. The Provider Training page also includes a quick reference regarding Java, which is required for the use of SkillPort.
Friday, March 20, 2020

The latest on the Coronavirus response

President Trump and the White House Coronavirus Task Force announced additional actions today as part of the ongoing, government-wide response to the global pandemic:
  • To help American families and businesses, the Treasury Department announced that Tax Day will be moved from April 15 to July 15. No interest or penalties will be charged for filing during this extended window, but any American expecting refunds or credits may claim now to get their money sooner.
     
  • To minimize impact on our nation's students, the Department of Education is temporarily waiving all interest on federally held student loans. Secretary Betsy DeVos has also directed federal lenders to allow borrowers to suspend their student loan payments without penalty for at least the next 60 days.
     
  • Early, decisive travel restrictions helped slow the spread of Coronavirus to our country. Today, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the United States and Mexico have agreed to restrict non-essential travel across their border.
     
  • More help is on the way. The Trump Administration worked with Congress last week on a bipartisan deal to deliver economic relief and support for American families, which the President signed into law on Wednesday. More legislative action is expected in the coming days.