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Dear Benchmarks' Members,
We have a few updates that have come in from DHHS and others that we wanted to be sure to share with you!
Take care of each other and stay safe and healthy!
The Benchmarks' Team
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See below for an email we received from Deputy Secretary Kody Kinsley re: Federal Approval of Appendix K (Medicaid Waivers Flexibility)
Good morning State and Local CFAC members, Brain Injury Advisory Council Members, DMHDDSAS Commission Members, Provider Partners, and LME/MCO CEOs,
I am pleased to share that NC Medicaid has received federal approval of flexibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic for the following home and community-based services:
- NC Innovations Waiver, for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)
- NC Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Waiver, for individuals who have a TBI diagnosis after age of 21
- Community Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults (CAP/DA), for disabled adults
- Community Alternatives Program for Children (CAP/C), for medically fragile children
Temporary flexibilities include telephonic contact with beneficiaries, providing services in alternative settings, a simplified person-centered plan development, and changes that ease requirements on service levels. For details, please see Special Bulletin COVID-19 #55.
For more information on the NC Medicaid response to COVID-19, please visit the NC Medicaid website.
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Joint NC DMHDDSAS and DHB (NC Medicaid) COVID-19 Update
for NC Providers
Thursday, April 23, 2020
3:00 p.m.
Note: This will be added to Benchmarks' Weekly Meeting Blast
Participant Log-In Information
Please register for COVID-19 Provider Call on Apr 23, 2020 3:00 PM EDT at:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Please feel free to share with other providers in your network or catchment area.
During this call, you will receive updates from DMHDDSAS and DHB representatives followed by an open Q&A session. IN addition to DMHDDSAS and DHB subject matter experts we will also have a representative from DHSR on the call to answer questions you might have. In consideration of the limited time we have on the call, we ask that you review the guidance link (below) on the DHHS website and FAQs on the NC Medicaid site to see if an answer to your question has already been provided.
As things continue to change and move quickly during the COVID-19 pandemic, please continue to stay abreast of emerging issues, guidance, and policies by visiting:
Thank you for your dedication and service to North Carolina BH, IDD and TBI consumers and families.
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Regulatory Changes in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Behavioral Health Provider's Legal Guide Part 2
Parker Poe Alert
President Trump, Senate Reach Deal on Additional Small Business and Health Care Funding
Senate leaders are planning a vote this afternoon on the latest COVID-19 relief package. Democrats and the Trump administration announced a deal to replenish the popular Paycheck Protection Program as well as provide additional funding for hospitals and testing.
The package that was agreed to overnight includes
:
- $300 billion for the Small Business Administration's Paycheck Protection Program;
- $50 billion for Economic Injury Disaster Loans;
- $75 billion for hospitals;
- $25 billion for testing.
The funding for testing consists of $11 billion for states, localities, territories, and tribes to develop, purchase, administer, process, and analyze COVID-19 tests, as well as to scale-up laboratory capacity, trace contacts, and support employer testing. The deal also includes $2 billion provided to states consistent with the "Public Health Emergency Preparedness" grant formula, ensuring every state receives funding. There will be $4.25 billion provided to areas based on relative number of COVID-19 cases and $750 million provided to tribes, tribal organizations, and urban health organizations in coordination with Indian Health Service. The legislation also requires a strategic plan to provide assistance to states to ramp up testing.
The Senate will be able to pass the bill by unanimous consent but the House will have to conduct a recorded vote. So, House leaders have indicated they will take up the legislation during a scheduled session on Thursday. At the same time, the House is expected to vote on a change to the chamber's voting rules to allow for proxy voting during the coronavirus pandemic.
This small business and health care package moving through Congress is seen by many as an "interim" measure to serve as a bridge to a larger bill that could be considered next month. The next bill could include another round of direct payments to households as well as an extension of new jobless benefits Congress passed last month.
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Three Ways to Support Your Staff and Your Sector
Action Alert for Your Consideration
**Please take a moment to
review and consider signing onto to the letters outlined below. The templates are easy to edit and personalize and will be delivered, straight-away, to our Congressional members.**
We need your immediate help to urge your elected officials to support the nonprofit sector, our employees, and vulnerable children and families. We need to ensure that members of Congress know our priorities as they begin negotiations on the next major relief package!
Right now, the human services nonprofit sector needs:
If you haven't already, click on the links to complete our simple online forms with sample language and send the emails directly to your elected officials.
We encourage you to forward this email to your staff/co-workers, board members, and nonprofit contacts to take action!
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