Benchmarks' Friday Membership Webinar with Karen Mcleod and Dave Richard:  March 5, 2021

Benchmarks Membership Webinar: March 5, 2021
Benchmarks Membership Webinar:
March 5, 2021

Upcoming Benchmarks' Webinars
Please align your calendars with the dates below.

Benchmarks' Membership Child Welfare Webinar
Lisa Cauley Joins Karen McLeod
Date:  Thursday, March 11, 2021
Time:  8:00 am thru 9:00 am 
Register Here

Benchmarks' Friday Membership Webinar
Date:  Friday, March 19, 2021
Time:  8:30 am thru 9:30 am

Benchmarks' Friday Membership Webinar
Dave Richard Joins Karen McLeod
Date:  Friday, April 2, 2021
Time:  8:30 am thru 9:30 am


Benchmarks' Legislative Report
Specialized Foster Care Plan
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services recently published a policy paper describing its intent to launch a specialty Medicaid managed care plan-the Specialized Foster Care Plan (FC Plan)-to meet the unique needs of the state's children and youth currently and formerly involved in the child welfare system. The Department values partnerships with entities supporting these populations and appreciates the thoughtful input received.

After careful consideration and review of recommendations from stakeholders, the Department is postponing the launch of the FC Plan until July 1, 2023. This delay will allow time for additional design of and input on the key features of the FC Plan for children and youth currently and formerly involved in the child welfare system.

To ensure these individuals are not required to make multiple transitions as North Carolina moves to managed care, the Department will seek input from key stakeholders including local Departments of Social Services, providers, advocacy organizations and LME-MCOs, on an interim plan that will:   
    • ensure children receive a full range of physical and behavioral health services
    • leverage the existing NC Medicaid Direct primary care and LME-MCO behavioral health system while directly addressing challenges and mitigating problems children in foster care face today
    • ensure children in foster care receive increased coordination of care; and
    • include legislative changes necessary to support a 2023 launch of the FC Plan and a local management entity structure that enables children's access to behavioral services outside of the Behavioral Health/IDD Tailored Plan.
Additionally, in the coming weeks, the Department will continue stakeholder engagement to:
    • share additional details on the FC Plan outlined in the draft RFP beyond what was initially described in the policy paper
    • consult with stakeholders on the written feedback they provided
    • identify opportunities to align the FC Plan requirements with the Family First Prevention Services Act; and
    • explore potential changes to the FC Plan to reach children earlier and offer services to children in foster care and their families. 
The Department will establish a Foster Care Plan Workgroup that will support the development of an interim and long-term plan for children in foster care.  Interested individuals/groups should notify the Department at Medicaid.NCEngagement@dhhs.nc.gov.

NC Medicaid Help Center Now Available for Providers
In addition to the NC Medicaid Provider webpage, Medicaid and NC Health Choice providers now have a supplemental resource to research their questions and submit inquiries.

The NC Medicaid Help Center launched today as an online source of information about Managed Care, COVID-19 and Medicaid and behavioral health services, and is also used to view answers to questions from the NC Medicaid Help Center mailbox, webinars and other sources. Formerly referenced as the "SWAT Command Center," the NC Medicaid Help Center also includes resource documents such as standard and COVID-19 Medicaid Bulletins. A Medicaid bulletin has been posted with more detail.

NC Medicaid Enrollment Call Center and Website are Live
NCDHHS has begun mailing enrollment packets statewide and launched new resources for beneficiaries as it prepares for NC Medicaid Managed Care Open Enrollment which begins on March 15, 2021. Beneficiaries can now call the NC Medicaid Enrollment Call Center to learn more about NC Medicaid Managed Care and can download a free beneficiary enrollment mobile app. These new tools, as well as the NC Medicaid enrollment website, will assist beneficiaries in choosing a primary care provider (PCP) and a health plan for their families' care. Some people will not need to choose a health plan because of the type of health services they need.
 
The NC Medicaid Enrollment Call Center number is 833-870-5500/TTY: 833-870-5588. The free mobile app, called NC Medicaid Managed Care is available on Google Play or the App Store. Mailing of enrollment packets is being done in batches and should arrive at beneficiary homes by Monday, March 15, 2021. Open enrollment officially begins March 15, but beneficiaries can proceed now with online enrollment, or call the NC Medicaid Enrollment Call Center for assistance.

COVID-19 Updates
  • Additional Frontline Essential Workers will be eligible for vaccine beginning on Wednesday, March 3. With the authorization of the Johnson & Johnson one-shot vaccine, we now have another tested, safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine to protect against virus-related hospitalization and death.  With three vaccines, North Carolina can get more people vaccinated sooner.
    • Please be sure to share our video with Frontline Essential Workers talking about why they plan to take their shot (English / Spanish) and our video with Agricultural Workers (Spanish)
Currently eligible groups - health care workers, long-term care staff and residents, people 65 and older, and child care and school staff - will continue to be prioritized. Some vaccine providers may not be ready to open to frontline essential workers on March 3 if they are still experiencing high demand for vaccines in Groups 1, 2, and 3 (child care and school staff).

As always, we rely on you as a trusted messenger to help people make informed decisions. We have developed a suite of resources to support your outreach efforts. Please visit YourSpotYourShot.nc.gov and vacunate.nc.gov as we regularly add new materials. Our communications toolkit includes:
  • Video Library
  • Social Media Graphics
  • Flyers
  • Website and Newsletter Graphics
  • Postcards
  • Presentation
**Electronic Visit Verification Stakeholder Meeting
Tuesday, March 9, 2021, 1 - 2 p.m.
NC Medicaid will host an Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) Stakeholder Meeting. The meeting agenda will be released at a later date. Register online.

Long-Term Care Update
Visitation Guidance
Currently per state and federal guidance, long-term care facilities must facilitate indoor visitation adhering to infection prevention practices if there are no new cases of COVID-19 in the facility in the last 14 days and the facility is not conducting outbreak testing.  Nursing homes that are certified by CMS are required to follow applicable federal requirements and guidance on visitation as well. Given rapid declines in COVID-19 cases in facilities, many facilities meet criteria for resuming indoor visitation.  

In addition, facilities can conduct compassionate care visits as needed at any time per state and federal guidance.  Please review your visitation policies and communicate your policy to residents and families.   CMS guidance outlining visitation requirements are here and state guidelines are here. We will continue to monitor for any updates in visitation guidance from CMS and CDC. 
 
Vaccination - LTC Pharmacy
NC DHHS has enrolled Long Term Care Pharmacies as COVID-19 vaccine providers to provide ongoing COVID-19 Vaccine Services as the federal pharmacy vaccine program ends. Attached to this message is a list of our currently active Long-Term Care Pharmacies that may be available to serve your facilities in an ongoing basis. If you have a business relationship with a Long-Term Care Pharmacy that is not on this list, please encourage them to begin the CVMS enrollment process (https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/covid-19-vaccine-management-system-cvms-steps-providers).  

Long-Term Care pharmacies can address any questions about CVMS enrollment to Patrick Brown (Patrick.brown@dhhs.nc.gov) and Billy Krepps (William.krepps@dhhs.nc.gov).  In many cases, other vaccine providers in your area may also be able to serve your facility. To search for other COVID-19 Vaccine Providers near your facilities you can visit the NC Vaccine Site Locator at https://myspot.nc.gov/.
 
LME-MCO Joint Communication Bulletin # J390
American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Requirements for the Comprehensive Clinical Assessment (CCA) and Diagnostic Assessment (DA): Training Clarification
This bulletin provides updated information regarding the DHHS-sponsored ASAM training available to help LME-MCOs and providers meet the new ASAM level of care determination requirement of proposed amendments to Clinical Coverage Policy (CCP) 8C, Section 7.3.2 (CCA Format) and CCP 8A, Attachment D, Diagnostic Assessment (Elements of the Diagnostic Assessment). 

These proposed amendments add a determination of ASAM level of care requirement to assessments of individuals with a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) diagnosis. Upon implementation of these CCP amendments, all direct enrolled licensed professionals providing CCAs and DAs must have the knowledge, skills and ability to make an ASAM level of care determination for individuals with a SUD diagnosis. 

NC DHHS is aware that there are licensed professionals who will need ASAM Criteria training to meet this requirement. As a result, NC Medicaid, in coordination with the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities & Substance Abuse Services, developed and implemented a DHHS sponsored plan to support access to reduced cost ASAM Criteria training. 

The DHHS sponsored virtual ASAM training will continue to be offered through June 30, 2021.

In order to facilitate use of the training, as of March 2021, the registration fees will be reduced as follows:
  • Two-Day Online Skill Building Training: Reduced from $90 to $75; includes 13 contact hours and a free ASAM Criteria manual will be provided upon request. 
  • ASAM eLearning Training Modules: Reduced from $75 to $50; includes 12 continuing education credit hours and a free ASAM Criteria manual will be provided upon request.
  • Organizations can take advantage of Buy 3, Get 1 Free: For every three registrations (2-day online) or eLearning licenses purchased, get the fourth for free. 
Registration details and information are available at http://bhs.unc.edu/asam/dashboard.

The DHHS-sponsored training is an application focused and skill building training that provides participants with the necessary tools to utilize the ASAM criteria in making an ASAM determination of level of care. DHHS encourages LME/MCOs and providers to take its sponsored training plan, which furnishes a level of instruction that exceeds basic introductory training to familiarize staff with the basic conceptual framework for the ASAM criteria. 

Please note that any agency considering providing its own ASAM training should be aware of the copyright protections and framework established by ASAM, which are available at https://www.asam.org/copyright-and-permissions. 

If you have questions, please contact Howard Anthony at Howard.Anthony@dhhs.nc.gov or 919- 741-3129.

March Community Engagement and Empowerment Team Update
SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #158: Correction to COVID-19 Lab Code 87428
CPT Code 87428 (related to COVID-19) was improperly defined in a previous Bulletin and is being correctly defined here. 
 
Providers are encouraged to review this information. All bulletin articles, including those related to COVID-19, are available on DHB's Medicaid Bulletin webpage. 
 
New Medicaid Bulletins Available as of March 2, 2021
The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published new Medicaid Bulletin articles:
  • Personal Care Services Policy 3L, Implementation of Electronic Visit Verification, Public Comment Period Extended
  • Advanced Medical Home Provider Manual 2.0 Released
  • Transition of Care Policy for Prepaid Health Plans Under the Standard Plan Option Released
  • NC Medicaid Help Center Now Available: A Convenient Way for Providers to Find Information
  • CPT Code Update: 2021
  • Two Months Left to Submit Attestations for Program Year 2020 
Providers are encouraged to review this information. All bulletin articles, including those related to COVID-19, are available on DHB's Medicaid Bulletin webpage

March 2021 Provider Training Now Available
Registration is open for the March 2021 instructor-led provider training courses listed below. Slots are limited. NCTracks Zoom courses can be attended remotely from any location with a computer and internet connection. Please note that as of Jan. 1, 2021, training will be conducted through Zoom; individualized meeting information has been created for each course. Please see the Training Enrollment Instructions section below for registration details.
 
Provider Re-Credentialing/Re-Verification Refresher (Zoom)
Monday, March 22, 2021, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.   
This course serves as a refresher for the steps taken by the provider to re-verify credentials and qualifications through NCTracks. At the end of this training, authorized users will be able to:
  • Explain why provider re-verification is requested and what the process entails
  • Complete the re-verification process in NCTracks
  • Update owners and managing relationships if necessary while completing the re-verification application process 
Meeting Information
Follow the steps below for audio and visual access to the Zoom online training sessions: 
  1. Dial US Toll Free 833-568-8864
  2. Enter meeting ID 160 117 9286#
  3. Press the # key
  4. Enter meeting passcode 6175526570#
  5. From an internet browser, enter the URL https://gdit.zoomgov.com/j/1601179286?pwd=OXMzMlg2M3p5Y3E3aXJkbE1BRGU
    • Providers may choose to use the computer audio instead of dialing in 
Prior Approval Pharmacy (Zoom)
Tuesday, March 23, 2021, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.   
This course will cover submitting pharmacy prior approval (PA) requests to help ensure compliance with Medicaid clinical coverage policy and medical necessity. It will also cover prior approval inquiry to check on the status of a pharmacy PA request.
 
Meeting Information
Follow the steps below for audio and visual access to the Zoom online training sessions: 
  1. Dial US Toll Free 833-568-8864
  2. Enter meeting ID 160 308 3797#
  3. Press the # key
  4. Enter meeting passcode 2565229965#
  5. From an internet browser, enter the URL https://gdit.zoomgov.com/j/1603083797?pwd=UDZzb2FxZXFFTHFGTXZlY2pQVHdyUT09
    • Providers may choose to use the computer audio instead of dialing in 
New Office Administrator (Zoom)
Tuesday, March 23, 2021, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.   
This course shows authorized users the process for changing the current office administrator (OA) to a new office administrator for an individual provider or organization with a National Provider Identification (NPI) number or Atypical Provider. At the completion of training, authorized users will be able to:
  • Update the office administrator for an individual provider or organization
  • Upgrade existing users to managing relationships 
Meeting Information
Follow the steps below for audio and visual access to the Zoom online training sessions: 
  1. Dial US Toll Free 833-568-8864
  2. Enter meeting ID 160 131 3612#
  3. Press the # key
  4. Enter meeting passcode 8541741622#
  5. From an internet browser, enter the URL https://gdit.zoomgov.com/j/1601313612?pwd=aDRHQXJubUVwQ3ZkY2RIbnMyV1JGUT09
    • Providers may choose to use the computer audio instead of dialing in 
Provider Re-Credentialing/Re-Verification Refresher (Zoom)
Wednesday, March 24, 2021, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.   
This course serves as a refresher for the steps taken by the provider to re-verify credentials and qualifications through NCTracks. At the end of the training, authorized users will be able to:
  • Explain why provider re-verification is requested and what the process entails
  • Complete the re-verification process in NCTracks
  • Update owners and managing relationships if necessary while completing the re-verification application process 
Meeting Information
Follow the steps below for audio and visual access to the Zoom online training sessions: 
  1. Dial US Toll Free 833-568-8864
  2. Enter meeting ID 161 843 4631#
  3. Press the # key
  4. Enter meeting passcode 2134267461#
  5. From an internet browser, enter the URL https://gdit.zoomgov.com/j/1618434631?pwd=UXQ5VDNEd2hLU3JDN1J4Z0dTK1dJUT09
    • Providers may choose to use the computer audio instead of dialing in 
Prior Approval Institutional (Zoom)     
Thursday, March 25, 2021, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.   
The purpose of this training is to show authorized users how to submit prior approvals (PAs) electronically via NCTracks. The prior approval functional area accepts PA data from provider-initiated information entry through the NCTracks web portal. This course will cover:
  • Submitting prior approval requests to help ensure compliance with Medicaid clinical coverage policy and medical necessity
  • Inquiring about prior approval requests to determine status 
Meeting Information
Follow the steps below for audio and visual access to the Zoom online training sessions: 
  1. Dial US Toll Free 833-568-8864
  2. Enter meeting ID 160 719 1584#
  3. Press the # key 
  4. Enter meeting passcode 7167513687#
  5. From an internet browser, enter the URL https://gdit.zoomgov.com/j/1607191584?pwd=ZXZZMUlaTndnWWJFdnQ4NytTMGhkUT09
    • Providers may choose to use the computer audio instead of dialing in 
Submitting an Institutional Claim (Zoom)
Thursday, March 25, 2021, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.  
This course will provide instructions for authorized users to submit institutional claims electronically in NCTracks. At the end of this training, the authorized user will be able to:
  • Create an institutional claim via the NCTracks web portal 
  • Save a claim draft 
  • Submit a claim 
  • Search claim status 
  • Review claim status 
  • Copy a claim  
  • Void or replace a previous claim 
Meeting Information
  1. Follow the steps below for audio and visual access to the Zoom online training sessions: 
  2. Dial US Toll Free 833-568-8864
  3. Enter meeting ID 160 181 3820#
  4. Press the # key 
  5. Enter meeting passcode 5285900289#
  6. From an internet browser, enter the URL https://gdit.zoomgov.com/j/1601813820?pwd=dkNXS01GT0xKajFzRnlkMTF1QkJnQT09
    • Providers may choose to use the computer audio instead of dialing in 
Provider Web Portal Applications (WebEx)
Friday, March 26, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.   
This course will guide the authorized user through an overview of the enrollment, re-enrollment, re-verification, abbreviated manage change request, manage change request (MCR), maintain eligibility and fingerprinting required application processes. At the end of the training, authorized users will be able to:
  • Understand the provider enrollment application process
  • Navigate to the NCTracks Provider Portal and understand how to complete the following provider enrollment application processes:
    • Provider enrollment
    • Out-of-State (OOS) enrollment
    • Ordering, Prescribing and Referring (OPR) Lite enrollment
    • Re-enrollment
    • Re-verification
    • Abbreviated manage change request
    • Manage change request (MCR) 
    • Maintain eligibility
    • Fingerprinting required application 
Meeting Information
Follow the steps below for audio and visual access to the Zoom online training sessions: 
  1. Dial US Toll Free 833-568-8864
  2. Enter meeting ID 160 325 3103#
  3. Press the # key 
  4. Enter meeting passcode 0305298795#
  5. From an internet browser, enter the URL https://gdit.zoomgov.com/j/1603253103?pwd=cjBlbi9BUlowQVpENDAxYWMra0kvdz09
    • Providers may choose to use the computer audio instead of dialing in 
Prior Approval Medical (WebEx) 
Monday, March 29, 2021, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.   
This course shows authorized users how to electronically submit, inquire about and void prior approvals for different kinds of medical services. At the end of this training, authorized users will be able to: 
  • Submit medical prior approval requests
  • Inquire about prior approvals
  • Void a prior approval 
Meeting Information
Follow the steps below for audio and visual access to the Zoom online training sessions: 
  1. Dial US Toll Free 833-568-8864
  2. Enter Meeting ID 161 960 4511#
  3. Press the # key 
  4. Enter Meeting Passcode 1620031481#
  5. From an internet browser, enter the URL https://gdit.zoomgov.com/j/1619604511?pwd=bWJuT3JENFMxWUtqNEcxbVdVWHVmUT09
    • Providers may choose to use the computer audio instead of dialing in 
Submitting a Professional Claim (WebEx)
Monday, March 29, 2021, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.   
This course will show authorized users how to submit professional (CMS-1500/837P) claims using the NCTracks web portal. The authorized user will learn how 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 a professional claim via NCTracks web portal
  • Save a draft
  • Use the claims draft search
  • Submit a claim 
  • View results of a claim submission
  • Claim status and claim copy
  • Resubmit a claim
  • Void prior claim or replace prior claims 
Meeting Information
Follow the steps below for audio and visual access to the Zoom online training sessions: 
  1. Dial US Toll Free 833-568-8864
  2. Enter meeting ID 161 119 7582#
  3. Press the # key 
  4. Enter meeting passcode 5332517558#
  5. From an internet browser, enter the URL https://gdit.zoomgov.com/j/1611197582?pwd=dFQwMUNJY1VYRnVOY2ljSlpjL0JMUT09
    • Providers may choose to use the computer audio instead of dialing in 
Prior Approval Dental/Ortho (Zoom) 
Tuesday, March 30, 2021, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.   
This course shows authorized users how to electronically submit, inquire about and void prior approvals for different kinds of medical services. At the end of this training, authorized users will be able to: 
  • Submit medical prior approval requests
  • Inquire about prior approvals
  • Void a prior approval 
Meeting Information
Follow the steps below for audio and visual access to the Zoom online training sessions: 
  1. Dial US Toll Free 833-568-8864
  2. Enter meeting ID 160 704 9643#
  3. Press the # key 
  4. Enter meeting passcode 5802307120#
  5. From an internet browser, enter the URL https://gdit.zoomgov.com/j/1607049643?pwd=Lytwc0NRb3RhQmFQbUllejJiZ0VGdz09
    • Providers may choose to use the computer audio instead of dialing in 
Submitting a Dental/Ortho Claim (Zoom)
Tuesday, March 30, 2021, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.   
This course will show authorized users how to submit dental/orthodontic claims using the NCTracks web portal. Authorized users will learn what 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 a dental claim via the NCTracks web portal
  • Save a claim draft
  • Submit a claim
  • Search claim status
  • Review claim status
  • Copy a claim
  • Void a previous claim
  • Replace a previous claim 
Meeting Information
Follow the steps below for audio and visual access to the Zoom online training sessions: 
  1. Dial US Toll Free 833-568-8864
  2. Enter meeting ID 161 742 4212#
  3. Press the # key 
  4. Enter meeting passcode 6205137222#
  5. From an internet browser, enter the URL https://gdit.zoomgov.com/j/1617424212?pwd=OGVXUmNQbUQ3VTlJcDhkUFJNZ24yUT09
    • Providers may choose to use the computer audio instead of dialing in 
Prior Approval Institutional (WebEx)     
Wednesday, March 31, 2021, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.   
The purpose of this training is to show authorized users how to submit prior approvals (PAs) electronically via NCTracks. The prior approval functional area accepts PA data from provider-initiated information entry through the NCTracks web portal. This course will cover:
  • Submitting prior approval requests to help ensure compliance with Medicaid clinical coverage policy and medical necessity
  • Inquiring about prior approval requests to determine status 
Meeting Information
Follow the steps below for audio and visual access to the Zoom online training sessions: 
  1. Dial US Toll Free 833-568-8864
  2. Enter meeting ID 160 520 6706#
  3. Press the # key 
  4. Enter meeting passcode 7767267757#
  5. From an internet browser, enter the URL https://gdit.zoomgov.com/j/1605206706?pwd=ZHFZbDhBSnJsOWxPaUFwQzBBeENyUT09
    • Providers may choose to use the computer audio instead of dialing in 
Submitting an Institutional Claim (Zoom)
Wednesday, March 31, 2021, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.  
This course will provide instructions for authorized users to submit institutional claims electronically in NCTracks. At the end of this training, the authorized user will be able to:
  • Create an institutional claim via the NCTracks web portal 
  • Save a claim draft 
  • Submit a claim 
  • Search claim status 
  • Review claim status 
  • Copy a claim  
  • Void or replace a previous claim 
Meeting Information
Follow the steps below for audio and visual access to the Zoom online training sessions: 
  1. Dial US Toll Free 833-568-8864
  2. Enter Meeting ID 160 670 6545#
  3. Press the # key 
  4. Enter Meeting Passcode 0383431395#
  5. From an internet browser, enter the URL https://gdit.zoomgov.com/j/1606706545?pwd=cFlTL3J4UXR6Qm9OUFVsbzI5d3UxQT09
    • Providers may choose to use the computer audio instead of dialing in 
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 (although this is the sub-folder name, please note that, as previously mentioned, courses will now be conducted via Zoom and not WebEx).

Refer to the Provider User Guides & Training page of the public provider portal for specific instructions on how to use SkillPort. The Provider Training Tool Kits page also includes a quick reference regarding Java, which is required for the use of SkillPort.
As states have increasingly contracted with managed care organizations (MCOs) to serve their Medicaid populations, many of the counties newly served by Medicaid MCOs within the last decade have been nonmetropolitan counties. This brief assesses access to primary care in nonmetropolitan counties for Medicaid recipients in 15 states that expanded Medicaid MCOs to new geographic areas across the state from 2012-2018.

Researchers calculated and analyzed a "primary care provider (PCP) access score" (summarizing actual driving times to the nearest primary care) using geospatial methods and assessed the relationship between stronger state policies on network adequacy to observed PCP access scores in nonmetropolitan settings. 

The study found that nonmetropolitan counties that had Medicaid MCOs prior to 2012 experienced better access to primary care than nonmetropolitan counties that expanded to Medicaid MCO coverage after 2012, and that nonmetropolitan counties in states that specify stronger network adequacy travel time requirements for PCPs had better PCP access scores on average than those in states that allow longer travel times. Additionally, researchers estimate that among nonmetropolitan counties that were newly served by Medicaid MCOs in 2012-2018, a segment of roughly 45,000 Medicaid recipients experienced relatively low PCP access scores and thus less access to primary care.

Read More Here
Highlights from RECS 2020 & Videos Online 
In case you or a colleague missed it, the plenary and breakout sessions, research symposium, and career panel are now online on the RECS 2020 videos web page. As noted in a recent OPRE Insights Blog post, three key themes emerged across the conference:
  1. Working across policy and program silos to put children and families at the center of service design and delivery. In the opening session of the conference, leaders from the Administration for Children and Families, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Agriculture discussed a multi-agency partnership to help individuals access supports they need to enter and remain in the workforce. 
  2. Strategies to develop and share evidence in ways that encourage use by a broad range of stakeholders. Check out Linking Evidence to Practice: OPRE Launches Pathways to Work Evidence Clearinghouse to hear how stakeholders directly influenced the development of the Pathways to Work Evidence Clearinghouse. 
  3. Resiliency in the face of shocks affecting ACF programs and those they serve. In Response and Recovery During COVID-19: Embracing Learning on Human Services Resiliency speakers addressed how programs have pivoted, how participation rates are changing across phases of the pandemic, and how the lessons learned may inform future phases of service delivery and policy flexibility.  
To hear about research and evaluation news and insights from OPRE, stay tuned to the OPRE Insights Blog. 
Report: Core Competencies for Human Trafficking Response in Health Care and Behavioral Health Systems
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) has released the "Core Competencies for Human Trafficking Response in Health Care and Behavioral Health Systems." These core competencies pinpoint skill sets that health care and behavioral health practitioners (HCPs) should acquire to identify, respond to, and serve individuals who have experienced trafficking and individuals at risk of trafficking.

These core competencies were developed in partnership with HEAL Trafficking, the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children, and the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and funded by OTIP. The National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Center facilitated a 3-year process to develop the competencies.

Webinar Recording - Strengthening the Nursing Workforce
In this new NIHCM webinar produced in collaboration with The Journalist's Resource, experts discussed the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic on the nursing workforce. Watch the recording to learn more about the importance of amplifying nurses' voices in the media, lessons learned from the pandemic, and strategies to support the workforce and ensure a diverse pipeline of future nurses. 
Nurses on the Frontline: Strengthening America's Health Care Workforce
Nurses on the Frontline: Strengthening America's Health Care Workforce

 
Nurses: Trusted Messengers in the Public Health Response

EEOC Withdraws Proposed Wellness Incentive Rules - Increasing Employer COVID-19 Vaccination Incentive Uncertainties
We previously discussed the EEOC's proposed new wellness program incentive rules under the ADA and GINA. The proposed rules were to replace the EEOC's previous "health-contingent" wellness program regulations, which had been struck down by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia because they allegedly permitted large incentives that the court found were essentially coercive and thus in violation of the ADA and GINA proscriptions permitting only voluntary disclosures of disability or genetic-related information (absent a business necessity). 

The proposed regulations were issued pursuant to a 3-2 EEOC Commissioner's vote shortly before the end of the Trump Administration, but had not been published in the Federal Register let alone completed the adoption process. Now as part of the Biden Administration's regulatory freeze, the EEOC has withdrawn them. Read More on the Effect of the Regulatory Freeze on EEOC Policies
Upcoming EventsUpcomingEvent3




New:  Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Electronic Visit Verification Stakeholder Meeting

Time:  1:00 pm thru 2:00 pm
 




Thursday, March 11, 2021
NCDHHS Transition of Care Policy

Time:  12:00 pm thru 1:00 pm
 




Wednesday, March 10, 2021
NC Medicaid Transition to Managed Care for Community Partners - the Beneficiary Experience

Time:  3:00 pm thru 4:00 pm
 
Thursday, March 11, 2021
Benchmarks' Membership Child Welfare Webinar
Lisa Cauley Joins Karen McLeod

Time:  8:00 am thru 9:00 am
 

Friday, March 19, 2021
NC Medicaid's Move to Managed Care: What Health Care Advocates Need to Know

Time:  12:00 pm thru 1:30 pm
 
Monday, March 22, 2021

Time:  2:00 pm thru 3:30 pm
 
New:  Tuesday, March 23, 2021
Labor Trafficking in the US

Time:  10:00 am thru 12:00 pm
 

Wednesday, March 24, 2021
Are You Ready For Value-Based Reimbursement? An Executive Guide For Assessing Readiness In A Value-Based Market 

Time:  10:00 am thru 11:15 am
 




Wednesday, March 24, 2021
Partners Community Cafe' Occurs Monthly, Fourth Wednesday of the Month
This Month's Topic:  Medicaid Transformation-An Introductory Discussion

Time:  10:00 am thru 11:00 am
 
New:  Thursday, March 23, 2021
IDD and Me, Understanding and Supporting Individuals with IDD

Time:  2:00 pm thru 3:00 pm
 
Friday, March 26, 2021
NC DHHS Supported Living Level 2 &3
STAKEHOLDERS MEETING

Time:  2:30 pm thru 4:30 pm
 
New:  Tuesday, March 30, 2021
Rehabilitative or Habilitative:
What is the Difference and How Does it Affect Services

Time:  12:00 pm thru 1:00 pm
 
New:  Tuesday, March 30, 2021
Police Interactions and Creating Positive Outcomes

Time:  2:00 pm thru 3:00 pm
 
New:  Friday, April 2, 2021
Benchmarks' Friday Membership Webinar
Dave Richard Joins Karen McLeod

Time:  8:30 am thru 9:30 am
 
Wednesday, April 7, 2021
Identifying Bias and Addressing Stigma in the Clinical Setting

Time:  12:00 pm thru 1:00 pm
These sessions are approved for continuing education credits for doctors, nurses, and social workers (live attendance only). The University of Vermont designates each session of this internet live activity for a maximum of:
  • 1 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)TM: each physician should claim only those credits commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity;
  • up to 1 Nursing Contact Hours; and 
  • 1 general continuing education credits for social workers completing this course
  • 1 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) Credit     

Wednesday, April 21, 2021
Bridging The Gap From Data To Data-Driven Performance

Time:  10:00 am thru 11:15 am
 
New:  April 28, 2021
The Ethics of Feedback within the Therapeutic Milieu 

Time:  9:30 am thru 11:45 am
 
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Understanding the Harm Reduction Approach:
 Principles and Practice

Time:  12:00 pm thru 1:00 pm
These sessions are approved for continuing education credits for doctors, nurses, and social workers (live attendance only). The University of Vermont designates each session of this internet live activity for a maximum of:
  • 1 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)TM: each physician should claim only those credits commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity;
  • up to 1 Nursing Contact Hours; and 
  • 1 general continuing education credits for social workers completing this course
  • 1 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) Credit     

Wednesday, May 26, 2021
Developing New VBP Services That Increase Quality & Decrease Service Costs 

Time:  10:00 am thru 11:15 am
 
LME/MCO Updates
Important:  Please click on each of the following links to view details and announcements for providers 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.