Benchmarks’ Update
- March 1, 2024
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Events
- Benchmarks’ Friday Member Webinar: Featuring Cindy Ehlers-Trillium & Karen McLeod-Benchmarks – Recording
- PHD Laboratory/Benchmarks Webinar
- DHHS:
- NC DSS: DCDL: HB-815: The Loving Homes Act
- NCDHHS Releases Draft Olmstead Plan Public Comment Open Through March 7
- NC Medicaid Releases February Tailored Care Management Provider Manual Updates
- Child Behavioral Health Advisory Committee – Engaging with Community Partners
- NC Launches Additional Phone Support for People Experiencing Mental Illness or Substance Use Disorder
- Youth LEAD NC’s Youth Leadership Summer Program
- DHHS Invests $5.5 million into FIT Wellness program
- NCDHHS Expands Investment in Reentry Services for People Involved in the Justice System: Press Release
- LME/MCO Dashboard
- NC Medicaid Releases Provider Fact Sheet
Direct Care Worker Wage Increase Initiative - 1115 Substance Use Disorder Demonstration Waiver Policy Update
- Incident Reporting and Improvement System Solution
Request for Proposal
- NCTracks:
- Nationwide Change Healthcare Cyberattack Update
- 1099s Mailed on January 19, 2024
- Issues List Updated
- The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published a new Medicaid Bulletin article:
- Trillium Health Resources:
- Clinical Consolidation Communication Bulletin 15
- Clinical Consolidation Communication Bulletin 16
- Alliance Health:
- Register Now: All Provider MeetingSR-AHEC Training Announcement: The Family Dynamics of Addiction
- Clarification on B3 Code Changes
- Partners:
- Utilization Management Update:
Attention 1915(i) Providers and Tailored Care Management Agencies
- Utilization Management Update:
- Vaya Health: Provider Communication Bulletin #149
- Federal Office of Rural Health Policy: An Update on the Federal Overdose Prevention Strategy
- AHRQ:
- Medicaid Home-and-Community-Based Services (HCBS): CAHPS HCBS Chartbook
- Advancing Measurement-Informed Care in Behavioral Health
- CMS Launches “Value-Based Care” Spotlight Web Site
- CMS Launches “Value-Based Care” Spotlight Web Site
- In the News:
- NC: NC social service leaders say more state funding needed for child welfare workers, foster homes (Includes video)
- NC: From foster care to university: How to secure financial stability (Includes video)
- Upcoming Webinars and Events
- February 9, 2024
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Events
- Benchmarks’ Child Welfare Webinar
- NCGA:
- Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health & Human Services Meeting Handouts: February 6, 2024
- Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Medicaid Meeting Handouts: February 6, 2024
- DHHS:
- 2024 NC Child Welfare Joint Planning Session
- DCDL: Now Procedure for Foster Home Licensing Submissions
Implementation of New and Revised State-Funded Withdrawal Management (Detoxification) Services Revised Implementation Date - NC Managed Care Capitation Rates – Updated Care Management Assumptions
- NCDHHS Consolidates Local Management Entity/Managed Care Organizations Ahead of Tailored Plan Launch
- NC Medicaid began accepting Federally-facilitated Marketplace Eligibility Determinations Feb. 1, 2024
- Tailored Care Management Rate Proposal: Sent to CMS on January 30, 2024
- NCDHHS Launches Child Behavioral Health Dashboard
- Funding for Counties to Help Children in DSS Custody
- RFP Application Opens for Children and Family Specialty Plan
- NC Medicaid Guidance on Sunsetting of Innovations Waiver and TBI Appendix K Flexibilities
- NCTracks:
- Access Monitoring Review Plan Posted for Public Comment
- February Provider Training Schedule Now Available
- Issues List Updated
- Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) Provider Learning Collaborative
- New Medicaid Bulletin Articles Available
- Trillium Health Resources:
- Clinical Consolidation Communication Bulletin 13Provider Office Hours Extended for Limited Time
- Clinical Consolidation Communication Bulletin 12 Consolidation Rates and Contracting
- Clinical Consolidation Communication Bulletin 11Registry of Unmet Needs Communication
- Clinical Consolidation Communication Bulletin 10
- Clinical Consolidation Communication Bulletin 009 Update from Consolidation Bulletin 8 in reference to EPSDT
- Alliance Health:
- Attention EVV Providers
- Child and Family Team Training from the Family Perspective Thursday, February 29 – Friday, March 1
- Partners:
- Partners has increased the Family Centered Treatment (FCT) Rate effective 1/1/2024
- Attention Davidson County Providers: Rate Information
- Using NPI to Bill for RB-BHT Services
- Vaya Health: Issue 34 & 35 Communication Bulletin
- Federal Office of Rural Health Policy: An Update on the Federal Overdose Prevention Strategy
- AHRQ:
- Medicaid Home-and-Community-Based Services (HCBS): CAHPS HCBS Chartbook
- Advancing Measurement-Informed Care in Behavioral Health
- CMS Launches “Value-Based Care” Spotlight Web Site
- CMS Launches “Value-Based Care” Spotlight Web Site
- In the News:
- NC: NC social service leaders say more state funding needed for child welfare workers, foster homes (Includes video)
- NC: From foster care to university: How to secure financial stability (Includes video)
- Upcoming Webinars and Events
- January 26, 2024
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Events
- DHHS:
- NCDHHS Provides New Recommendations to Enhance Workforce and Announces Funding to Support Rates paid to Direct Support Professionals: Press Release
- NCTracks:
- Issues List Updated
- EVV Process Updates for Vendors Coming Soon
- Changes to Pricing Methodology for 340B Pharmacy Claims
- New Exclusion Sanction Questions to be added to Applications for Enrollment
- New Medicaid Bulletin Articles Available
- Trillium Health Resources:
- Urgent Notification for Providers: January 26, 2024
- Trillium Health Resources Consolidating with Eastpointe and Sandhills Center
- Clinical Consolidation Communication Bulletin 007
- Clinical Consolidation Communication Bulletin 008 – Non-Covered Medicaid Benefits under EPSDT
- Announcement from Eastpointe for Eastpointe & Sandhills
- Alliance Health: Billing and Enrollment Provider Training
- Partners: Provider Communication Bulletin #148 (January 18, 2024)
- Vaya Health: Provider Communication Bulletin Issue 33 (January 26, 2024)I
- NC Child Treatment Program: NC CTP Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) Learning – Collaborative Applications are now open!
- The ARC: Check out the Care Management Website Here
- Child Welfare Information Gateway:
- Know a Young Changemaker? Share These Leadership Opportunities With Youth!
- The Opioid Affected Youth Initiative (OAYI)- Youth National
- Empowering Identity: Nurturing Cultural and Family Ties in Adoption
- The National Law Review:
- New Merger Enforcement Toolkit: FTC and DOJ Release Final 2023 Merger Guidelines
- FTC Approves Use of CIDs in Nonpublic Investigations of AI Products
- In the News:
- Charting a plan to stave off expected health care workforce shortages
- Medicaid expansion bringing swift benefits in North Carolina
- NC: After 15-year-old beaten to death, 9 Investigates if NC is doing enough to protect children (Includes video)
- NC: Steps taken to ease process for families in juvenile court (Includes audio)
- National Institutes of Health: Cognitive behavioral therapy alters brain activity in children with anxiety
- Medisked: Advancing Health Equity in North Carolina
- Upcoming Webinars and Events
- January 19, 2024
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Events
- **Benchmarks’ Request for Feedback:
- DHHS:
- NCDHHS Releases Updated White Paper on the Children and Families Specialty Plan
- Appendix K Flexibilities Approved for Innovations and Traumatic Brain Injury Waivers
- NCDHHS Celebrates Historic Investments in Behavioral Health with Kickoff Event
- NCDHHS Increases Contraception Access for Medicaid Beneficiaries
- 1915(i) Supported Employment Service Definition Updates Provide New Opportunities to the I/DD Community
- Pre-Employment Transition Services for students with I/DD are available with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
- Proposed Medicaid Clinical Coverage Policies Open for Public Comment
- New Medicaid Expansion Enrollment Dashboard
- New LME/MCO Dashboard
- NCTracks:
- Individual Provider Middle Name Changes
- Immunizing Pharmacists Enrollment and Pharmacy Reimbursement on a Medical Claim for Self-Administered Hormonal Contraceptive Protocol Beginning January 2024
- Jan. 2024 Pharmacy Newsletter Now Available
- MOVEIt SSH Connection Issues—Temporary Workaround Available
- Provider Portal Issue – Error Message DJ Gateway
- New Medicaid Bulletin Articles Available
- Trillium Health Resources: Clinical Communication Bulletin 047CHANGES FOR AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR RESEARCH-BASED—BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TREATMENT
- Alliance Health: Alliance Claim System Overview/Harnett County Providers
- Partners: Davidson County Realignment Welcome Event
- CMS Roundup:
- CMS Details State Spending Plans for Home & Community-Based Services Under American Rescue Plan
- CMS Releases Second Annual Evaluation Report on End-Stage Renal Disease Treatment Choice Model
- CMS Invites Proposals for the 2024 CMS Health Equity Conference, May 29-30
- CMS Highlights Efforts to Address Health Disparities in Rural Communities
- CMS Celebrates Health Care Coverage in North Carolina
- CMS Releases Final Evaluation Report for Next Generation Accountable Care Organization Model
- CMS Announces New Innovation in Behavioral Health Model
- CMS Finalizes Rule to Expand Access to Health Information and Improve the Prior Authorization Process (Press Release)
- Other Recent Releases:
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- HRSA:
- Call for Grant Reviewers.
- COVID-19 Home Tests Available
- Online Resource for Licensure of Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Psychologists, and Social Workers.
- Become a Host Site for the CDC Public Health Associate Program
- Upcoming Webinars and Events
- HRSA:
- January 5, 2024
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Events
- DHHS:
- Trillium Health Resources and Eastpointe Human Services Agreement
- NC Innovations Waiver Amendment Requirements for TCM Providers
- NC Medicaid Providing Free, Printed Educational Materials for Medicaid Expansion and Enrollment
- Policy Changes Related to Standard Plan Oversight of Care Management Providers
- North Carolina MH/BH Stakeholder Community Needs Assessment
- NCTracks:
- Upcoming Changes to NCTracks: EVV Process Updates for Vendors; Changes to Pricing Methodology for 340B Pharmacy Claims
- Delay in Division of Health Service Regulation License Renewal Updates
- January 2024 Provider Training Schedule Now Available
- EFT Attestation for NCTracks Applications Updated as of Dec. 17, 2023
- New Exclusion Sanction Questions to be added to Applications for Enrollment
- New Medicaid Bulletin Articles Available
- NCCDD: New Law Creates Long-term Change in North Carolina’s Guardianship System
- The ARC: Free Decision-Making Resources – Download Now!
- In the News:
- Lawsuit Seeks to End Institutionalization and Confinement of Children in Georgia
- NC: Alexander County Social Services Director Steps Down
- NC: Guilford County approves creation of 27 DSS positions
- NC: Aging out of foster care in North Carolina (Includes video)
- NC: NC law setting minimum standards for DSS hires goes unenforced (Commentary)
- Upcoming Webinars and Events
- December 9, 2023
- (We are working to have next year’s calendar of events ready before the end of the year.)
- DHHS:
- Standard Plans Add New Mid-Level Substance Use Treatment Services
- Healthcare Access & Stabilization Program (HASP) Payments
- Medicaid Expansion Launches in North Carolina
- NC Medicaid Innovations Waiver Provider Rate Increase
- Behavioral Health Reimbursement Rates Increased for the First Time in a Decade
- NCDHHS Low Income Energy Assistance Program Begins Accepting Applications Dec. 1
- New Initiative Provides Payment to Support Relatives
- New Innovations Waitlist Dashboard has gone Live
- Materials from the Medical Care Advisory Committee (MCAC)
- NC Medicaid to Extend Appendix K Temporary Flexibilities until Feb. 29, 2024
- NC Certified Peer Support
- Healthy Opportunities Pilot (HOP) Care Manager Trainings
- DHSR: 2024 License Memo
- NCTracks:
- Federal Provider Enrollment Application Fee Increase for Year 2024
- Reminder: Provider Name on Applications for Re-verification Must Match
- Levemir® Manufacturer Discontinuation Notice
- December 2023 Provider Training Schedule Now Available
- NCTracks Call Center Closed for Christmas and New Year’s Holidays, No Checkwrite on Dec. 26
- New Medicaid Bulletin Articles
- Partners Now has a Welcome to Davidson County Website
- In the News:
- NC: Best Interest of the Child (May require subscription) (Includes audio)
- NC: Children sleep in offices as foster care falls short (Includes audio)
- Federal Office of Rural Health Policy: Funding Opportunity: Department of Labor YouthBuild Grants
- NC HealthConnex: Comment Period for Proposed Rule on Information Blocking Disincentives
- ELEOS: The Behavioral Health AI Implementation Playbook
- Related To The Post Above: We Wanted To Share Links For Some Of The Latest Artificial Intelligence (AI) Apps
- The National Law Review: Department of Labor Sues UnitedHealth TPA Over Claim Denials
- Upcoming Webinars and Events
- November 9, 2023
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Events
- Benchmarks’ Child Welfare Webinar Recording – Download Slides
- DHHS:
- Medicaid Expansion Family Planning
- PCS Announcement
- DHSR 2024 License Memo – RENEWAL APPLICATION STATUS UPDATE effective 11-7-23
- NC DHHS Caregiver Workforce Strategic Leadership Council Draft Report
- Child Welfare Information Gateway: Engagement Resources for Teens in Foster Care
- NC Child Treatment Program: NC CTP Spring 2024 Application Release: TF-CBT
- In the News:
- NC: New youth psychiatric hospital will have specialized units for substance use, disabilities
- NC: DHHS orders consolidation of state-funded mental health agencies (Includes quotes from our very own Karen McLeod…they captured her words “mostly” right. 🙂
- Upcoming Webinars and Events
- November 3, 2023
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Events
- DHHS:
- NC DSS Needs You
- NC Medicaid Section 1115 Demonstration Renewal Application Submitted
- Feedback on draft content for DMHDDSUS strategic plan
- Updated State Health Improvement Plan Addresses Social Drivers of Health, Medicaid Expansion and Behavioral Health
- NCDHHS Awards $4 Million to Enhance Inclusion Works
- Benefits Counseling is available through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS)
- 1915 (C) Innovations Waiver Amendment and Extended Appendix K Flexibilities
- NCTracks:
- Attention Medicaid Providers Serving Children, Youth and Families Receiving Child Welfare Services
A Message from NCTracks on Behalf of NC Medicaid - New Limits for CAP/CH Coming to NCTracks
- NC Medicaid to Remove Copays for HIV Antiretroviral Medications
- NCTracks Log In Issue
- November 2023 Provider Training Schedule Now Available
- New Medicaid Bulletin Articles
- Attention Medicaid Providers Serving Children, Youth and Families Receiving Child Welfare Services
- Child Welfare Information Gateway: November is National Adoption Month
- In the News:
- NC: Hendersonville child welfare agency raises $35M, nearing campaign goal to aid foster children (Includes video)
- NC: After deadly fire, Guilford County releases Child Welfare Corrective Action Plan (Includes video)
- NC: Crisis in children’s mental health takes heavy toll in rural Southeast (Includes audio)
- Foster Family Alliance: Free Trauma Informed Prevention Materials
- Federal Office of Rural Health Policy: Funding Opportunities
- NC HealthConnex: Legislative Changes Impact Who Is Required to Connect to NC HealthConnex
- CMS: CMS Finalizes Physician Payment Rule that Advances Health Equity
- Upcoming Webinars and Events
- October 20, 2023
- Benchmarks’ Destination 2023 Slideshow
- Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar with Jay Ludlam & Karen McLeod: October 20, 2023 Recording
- Upcoming Events
- North Carolina AHEC: 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 online
- August 11, 2023
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Webinar
- Benchmarks’ Membership Webinar: July 21, 2023
- Benchmarks’ Child Welfare Webinar: Thursday, July 13, 2023
Slideshow and Associated Documents - DHHS:
- Updated DHHS Organizational Chart: July 2023
- Eastpointe Reaches Agreement to Consolidate with Sandhills Center
- Update on Olmstead & Samantha R
- NC Medicaid 1915(i) Option Draft Policies
- Consumer Perceptions of Care Survey
- Back Porch Chat – NC Medicaid Updates
- NCTracks:
- Reminder: How to Address the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Certification Requirement if You Do Not Have a DEA Certification
- New Medicaid Bulletin Articles
- NC Medicaid OMBUDSMAN: Legal Referral Service
- Child Welfare Information Gateway:
- Discussing Racial Identity in Support Groups
- NTDC Curriculum: Includes New Resources for Parents, Parent Groups & Agencies
- Peer Support Matters: Strategies to Incorporate & Elevate Those With Lived Experience
- Disability Scoop: CDC Finds ‘Significant Increase’ In Kids With Developmental Disabilities
- Upcoming Webinars and Events
- September 8, 2023
- Benchmarks’ Destination 2023
- DHHS:
- North Carolina Medicaid Section 1115 Demonstration Renewal Posted for Public Comment
- Announcement: LME-MCO Dashboard
- Telehealth Policy Evaluation Brief
- NC Managed Care Capitation Rates – Updated Care Management Assumptions
- Funding Opportunity: I/DD Community Living Mini-Grants RFA
- 1915(i) Updated Provider Fact Sheet and Assessment Tool
- NCTracks:
- NCID Website Migration Coming Sept. 17, 2023
- NC Medicaid Temporary Flexibilities Due to Hurricane Idalia
- Flexibilities for both Medicaid Direct and NC Medicaid Managed Care
- Flexibilities for Medicaid Direct Only
- New Medicaid Bulletin Articles
- CBX: Spotlight on Child and Family Services Review, Round 4
- CMS: CMS Announces Transformative Model to Give States Incentives and Flexibilities to Redesign Health
- Upcoming Webinars and Events
- August 11, 2023
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Webinar
- Benchmarks’ Membership Webinar: July 21, 2023
- Benchmarks’ Child Welfare Webinar: Thursday, July 13, 2023
Slideshow and Associated Documents - DHHS:
- Updated DHHS Organizational Chart: July 2023
- Eastpointe Reaches Agreement to Consolidate with Sandhills Center
- Update on Olmstead & Samantha R
- NC Medicaid 1915(i) Option Draft Policies
- Consumer Perceptions of Care Survey
- Back Porch Chat – NC Medicaid Updates
- NCTracks:
- Reminder: How to Address the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Certification Requirement if You Do Not Have a DEA Certification
- New Medicaid Bulletin Articles
- NC Medicaid OMBUDSMAN: Legal Referral Service
- Child Welfare Information Gateway:
- Discussing Racial Identity in Support Groups
- NTDC Curriculum: Includes New Resources for Parents, Parent Groups & Agencies
- Peer Support Matters: Strategies to Incorporate & Elevate Those With Lived Experience
- Disability Scoop: CDC Finds ‘Significant Increase’ In Kids With Developmental Disabilities
- Upcoming Webinars and Events
- July 14, 2023
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Webinar
- Benchmarks’ Child Welfare Webinar: Thursday, July 13, 2023
Slideshow and Associated Documents - DHHS:
- Launch of Behavioral Health and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Tailored Plans Delayed
- NC Certified Peer Supports: New Certification Trainings
- NC Medicaid Obtains Approval of the 1915(i) State Plan Amendment
- 1115 Substance Use Disorder Demonstration Waiver Policy Update
- 1915(c) NC Innovations Waiver 30-day Public Comment Period
- NC Medicaid to Resume Annual Recertification Process
- Making Care Primary Model Provider Update
- Temporary COVID-19 Rate Increases Ending June 30; New Temporary/Interim Estimated Budget Increases Added July 1
- Apply for the Community Health Worker Grant Program
- Latest Dear County Director Letters (From Website)
- NCTracks:
- Information Regarding Highest Level of Education Verification on Applications for Re-verification, Enrollment, and Re-enrollment for Individual Providers
- New Medicaid Bulletin Articles
- The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published new Medicaid Bulletin articles
- CMS: CMS Proposes Policies to Expand Behavioral Health Access and Further Efforts to Increase Hospital Price Transparency
- Advance Auto in Raleigh – Hiring job seekers with barriers to employment
- Federal Office of Rural Health Policy: Announcements
- Office of Minority Health (OMH): OMH Announces New Funding Opportunity: Health Equity Leadership Development Initiative
- COPS: Engaging Survivors of Crime with Empathy and Compassion: A Toolkit for Establishing Homicide Support
- AHRQ: AHRQ releases TeamSTEPPS 3.0 Training Curriculum To Improve Safety
- NIH:
- Research Highlight: Mothers’ Difficult Childhoods Impact Their Children’s Mental Health
- NOTEWORTHY: Major Update to Popular Facts and Statistics Resource
- Important New NIAAA Resource Now Available – the Alcohol and Your Brain Virtual Reality (VR) Experience
- The National Law Review: Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Requires Employers to Provide Reasonable Accommodations Effective June 27
- EPA: Introducing the EnviroAtlas Interactive Map
- In the News:
- Guilford County social services submits Corrective Action Plan (Includes video)
- Guilford County shares details of DSS Corrective Action Plan (Includes video)
- Foster family needs are great
- Fractured: The effectiveness of psychiatric residential treatment facilities
- NC child welfare report shows increase in suicide, anxiety and depression
- Will NC finally move to quicker permanency for foster care children? (Opinion)
- With nowhere else to go, kids needing foster care sleep on the floor in county offices
- Forever Family: Couple focuses on helping teens prepare for life after foster care (Includes video)
- State officials delay the rollout of specialty Medicaid plans – again
- Upcoming Webinars and Events
- June 16,2023
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Webinar
- Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar: Friday, June 16, 2023
- DHHS:
- Eligible Mental Health Professionals Can Receive Up to $50,000 in Loan Repayment
- North Carolina Medicaid Expansion
- OMH Announces New Funding Opportunity: Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity
- Medical Care Advisory Committee Documents: June 16, 2023
- Money Follows the Person (MFP) Roundtable Recording & Materials
- Latest Dear County Director Letters
- NCTracks:
- Information Regarding Highest Level of Education Verification on Applications for Re-verification, Enrollment, and Re-enrollment for Individual Providers
- New Medicaid Bulletin Articles Available as of May 31
- The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published new Medicaid Bulletin articles
- CMS Roundup:
- CMS Posts Resources Addressing the Needs of Adults with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities and Their Caregivers
- CMS Seeking Charter Members to New Air Ambulance Advisory Committee
- With the Addition of South Dakota and New York, Postpartum Coverage Under Medicaid/CHIP Expands to 35 States & D.C.
- CMS Issues Guidance on Hospital Discharges to Post-Acute Care Providers
- Newly Released Data Briefs Detail Medicaid/CHIP Enrollee Demographic Characteristics
- CMS Outlines the Innovation Center’s Primary Care Strategy
- CMS Issues Update to Critical Access Hospital Annual 96-Hour Patient Length of Stay Calculations Post Public Health Emergency (PHE)
- CMS Releases Additional Materials on Medicaid Unwinding
- CMS Releases New Data to Raise Awareness of Extra Help Available to Low-Income Seniors with Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage
- New Web Pages to Help Consumers Understand their Rights and Protections Against Unexpected Medical Bills
- Other Recent Releases:
- Advance Auto in Raleigh – Hiring job seekers with barriers to employment
- Federal Office of Rural Health Policy: Funding Opportunities
- Foster Family Alliance: Statewide Calendar for Resource Parents
- Upcoming Webinars and Events
- May 19,2023
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Webinars
- Benchmarks’ Child Welfare Webinar: Thursday, May 11, 2023 PowerPoint
- Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar: Friday, May 19, 2023
- DHHS:
- Records Management and Documentation Manual
- Monday: Meeting to Discuss Collaborative Approach to Bed Board and Intake Packets Among LME/MCOs
- Provider Reverification and Billing Modifications Reminders
- Invitation to Comment on the draft NCDHHS Strategic Housing Plan
- Request for Applications – Statewide Peer Warm Line
- Expiration of Temporary Construction Waivers for Mental Health Facilities
- HRSA: Become an NHSC Site! Determine Your Eligibility and Review Resources
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: FEATURE: The Importance of Alcohol Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment in Closing the Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment Gap
- May 5, 2023
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Webinars
- DHHS:
- Implementation of Competitive Integrated Employment for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Request for Applications
- Clarification of Individual Placement and Support Services Billing in Conjunction with Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services Milestones
- Division of Child and Family Well-Being
- NC Medicaid CAP/C Waiver Renewed through 2028
- NC Medicaid Journey to Modernization
- Attention IDD Providers: National Core Indicators™ (NCI) Staff Stability Survey for 2022 Available
- Joint Communication Bulletins
- NCTracks:
- The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published new Medicaid Bulletin articles:
- Update and Clarification to New Taxonomy for Behavioral Analysts
- Association Notice: 2023 Annual Provider Survey
- Voluntary Reverification Ended April 30: Draft Reverification Applications Deleted in the NCTracks System
- Makena End of Coverage and Removal from NC Medicaid Preferred Drug List (PDL)
- Rowan-Salisbury School System: Rowan-Salisbury Schools RFP for Day Treatment Provider
- Foster Care Alliance: Foster Care Month
- National Health Law Program: NHeLP Summary of Proposed Access and Managed Care Rules
- IN THE NEWS:
- Celebrating Benchmarks’ Project and Vaya! Vaya Health celebrates National Foster Care Month by spotlighting latest foster care efforts
- ‘There is a placement crisis’: WCNC investigation uncovers shocking secret about kids in foster care
- Livingstone College opening new center for youth aging out of foster care
- Wake County manager proposes $1.8 billion budget focused on safety, education and growth
- National Health Law Program: NHeLP Summary of Proposed Access and Managed Care Rules
- Bill would make it easier for NC parents to regain custody of their kids from foster care
- February, 17 2023
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Webinars
- DHHS:
- NC Medicaid Reform Demonstration Foster Care Amendment
- Joint Communication Bulletin
- NCTracks:
- Federal Fee Payment Process Improvements Coming to NCTracks
- The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published new Medicaid Bulletin articles:
- Checkwrite for the Week of Presidents Day
- ACF: Separate Licensing Standards for Relative or Kinship Foster Family Homes
- IN THE NEWS:
- Lack of social workers, foster care inflicts toll (Includes video) (May require subscription)
- WBTV Investigates: A look into a broken child welfare system (Includes video)
- NC Health News: Low pay, no space for advancement
- March, 17 2023
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Webinars
- Last Meeting with Dave Richard
- Karen McLeod and Jay Ludlam
- DHHS:
- NC Innovations Support Budget Advisory Group Introduction Meeting
- NC Medicaid Managed Care Patient Risk List Companion Guide
- NC Managed Care Capitation Rates – Care Management Assumptions
- Medical Care Advisory Committee Handouts
- Joint Communication Bulletins
- NCTracks:
- The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published new Medicaid Bulletin articles:
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #265 Available
- NCTracks System Error when Checking Health Plan Eligibility
- disabilityscoop: New Medicaid Waiver Rules Take Effect
- IN THE NEWS:
- Lack of social workers, foster care inflicts toll (Includes video) (May require subscription)
- WBTV Investigates: A look into a broken child welfare system (Includes video)
- NC Health News: Low pay, no space for advancement
- February, 17 2023
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Webinars
- DHHS:
- NC Medicaid Reform Demonstration Foster Care Amendment
- Joint Communication Bulletin
- NCTracks:
- Federal Fee Payment Process Improvements Coming to NCTracks
- The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published new Medicaid Bulletin articles:
- Checkwrite for the Week of Presidents Day
- ACF: Separate Licensing Standards for Relative or Kinship Foster Family Homes
- IN THE NEWS:
- Lack of social workers, foster care inflicts toll (Includes video) (May require subscription)
- WBTV Investigates: A look into a broken child welfare system (Includes video)
- NC Health News: Low pay, no space for advancement
- February, 10 2023
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Webinars
- Benchmarks’ Child Welfare Webinar – Slide Deck
- DHHS:
- Announcement from Secretary Kody Kinsley: Dave Richard Retiring
- Update on Samantha R
- State Funded Clinical Coverage Policy Posting 10-day Public Comment Notice
- Children in the NC Health Choice Program Moving to Medicaid
- Tailored Plan Auto-enrollment and Choice Period
- Tailored Care Management Capacity Building Funds Guidance Released
- RSVP PCS Information
- Now Accepting Applications for the 8th Annual NC Community Transitions Institute
- Children in the NC Health Choice Program Moving to Medicaid
- Tailored Plan Auto-enrollment and Choice Period
- Tailored Care Management Capacity Building Funds Guidance Released
- RSVP PCS Information
- Now Accepting Applications for the 8th Annual NC Community Transitions Institute
- NC Medicaid Clinical Coverage Policy Posting 45-day Public Comment Notice
- Request for DHHS-NC Medicaid Medical Care Advisory Committee (MCAC) Nominees — Congressional Districts 11, 14, and 3 At-Large Seats
- NCTracks:
- Update to Site Visit Application Question
- Federal Enrollment Application Fee Increase for Year 2023
- Changes Coming to Managing Employee and Owner Attestation on NCTracks Applications
- The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published new Medicaid Bulletin articles:
- HRSA: Special Enrollment Period for Consumers Losing Medicaid or CHIP Coverage. SAMHSA Adult Offender Re-Entry Program
- NIH: NIMH Releases a Strategic Framework for Addressing Youth Mental Health
- IN THE NEWS:
- Carolina Journal: Controller, legislative leaders ask NC Supreme Court to block Leandro money transfer
- Carolina Journal: Medicaid Expansion triggers can’t fix bad policy
- WRMY News 2: Rockingham County foster children living in office buildings due to foster parent shortage (Video)
- The Mount Airy News: Overworked, undertrained, not supported
- Fox 8: North Carolina foster children with mental health challenges living in emergency rooms
- January 27, 2023
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Webinars
- DHHS:
- Important NC Medicaid Update
- Revision – Link updated for Proposed State-Funded Service Definition Policies
- State Funded Clinical Coverage Policy Posting 10-day Public Comment Notice
- Medicaid Clinical Coverage Policy Posting 45-day Public Comment Notice
- Joint Communication Bulletin #J441: Clarification of Transitions to Community Living Discharge & Transition Process from State Psychiatric Hospitals
- NCTracks:
- The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published new Medicaid Bulletin article
- HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH): Meeting Substance Use and Social Service Needs in Communities of Color
- NC FFTA: NC FFTA Chapter flyer and upcoming 2023 meeting dates
- FSN of North Carolina: FSN Summer Camp Directory Needs You!
- IN THE NEWS:
- NC: In some states, an unpaid foster care bill could mean parents lose their kids forever (Includes audio)
- January 13, 2023
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Webinars
- Benchmarks’ Child Welfare Webinar: January 12, 2023 – Slide Deck
- NCHA Strategic Partners: Surplus PPE
- NCGA: HHS Related Senate Committee Announcements
- HHS: HHS Renews Public Health Emergency for Another 90 Days
- DHHS:
- Enhanced ePASS Accounts for NC Medicaid Beneficiaries
- NCDHHS Person-Centered Planning Training
- Proposed Medicaid and NC Health Choice Policies
- NCTracks:
- Delay in Division of Health Service Regulation License Renewal Updates
- The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published new Medicaid Bulletin articles:
- January 2023 Pharmacy Newsletter Now Available
- NCTracks Call Center and Checkwrite Schedule for Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
- Children and Family Futures: Notice of funding opportunity
- The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities: Care Extenders with Lived Experience Can Advance Whole Person Care
- disabilityscoop: IRS Increases Limit for ABLE Accounts
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid: CMS Efforts to Improve Access to Specialty Care
- IRS:
- IRS delays $600 reporting threshold change for issuing Form 1099-K
- Clean energy credits
- Standard mileage rates for 2023; Business use increases 3 cents per mile
- IN THE NEWS:
- NC: U.S. Attorney Announces Human-Trafficking Task Force and Multi-Prong Effort To Combat Trafficking in Eastern North Carolina (Press release)
- NC: Open Table receives grant from SECU Foundation to help youth aging out of foster care system (Press release)
- December 9, 2022
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Webinars
- Benchmarks’ Child Welfare Webinar: December 8, 2022 – Slide Deck
- Benchmarks’ Child Welfare Webinar – with Karen McLeod & Lisa Cauley – Thursday, November 10, 2022
- DHHS:
- Samantha R Latest Timeline
- Timothy B Latest Timeline
- Medical Care Advisory Committee (MCAC) Handouts
December 9, 2022 - NC Medicaid Managed Care Quality Strategy Updated
- Advanced Medical Home Provider Manual 2.4.3 Update
- NC Medicaid begins Tailored Care Management Dec. 1, 2022
- NCDHHS, UNC Health to Repurpose R.J. Blackley Facility into Psychiatric Hospital for Children and Adolescents
- Leadership Announcement
- 1915i Stakeholder/Service Providers Updates and Upcoming Webinars
- Joint Communication Bulletins
- NCTracks:
- Addition of Categorical Risk Level to Provider Taxonomies and Records
- New Medicare-only Lite Enrollment Application Coming Soon
- November Pharmacy Newsletter Available
- December 2022 Provider Training Schedule Now Available
- The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published new Medicaid Bulletin articles
- NC Child and Family Improvement Initiative Releases UPDATED Universal Referral Form for all Therapeutic Residential Placement Providers and Therapeutic Foster Care Providers
- The NC Center for Health Workforce: Help us respond to your health workforce needs! Deadline EXTENDED to December 11, 2022 (This Sunday!).
- KFF: Mental Health Parity at a Crossroads
- Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP): 2022 In Review: State Telehealth Policy Legislative Roundup!
- The U.S. Department of Labor: Funding Opportunity-Due February 7
- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC): Funding Opportunity-Due April 1
- IN THE NEWS:
- NC Health News: Study finds Medicaid managed care transition still impacted by poor communication, patient confusion and administrative burden
- NC Health News: New lawsuit accuses DHHS of ‘warehousing’ NC children with disabilities in foster care
- Upcoming Events
- November 14, 2022
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Webinars
- Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar – with Dave Richard and Karen McLeod – Friday, November 18, 2022
- Benchmarks’ Child Welfare Webinar – with Karen McLeod & Lisa Cauley – Thursday, November 10, 2022
Associated Links:
• Slide Deck
• Number and Email for Constituent Concerns: 919-527-6340, dsswebrequestschildwelfare@dhhs.nc.gov
• More about Concerns - DHHS:
- Tailored Care Management Updates
Beneficiary Assignment Update - Enhanced Medical Home Payments for Advanced Medical Homes Serving Members Eligible for Tailored Care Management
- Feedback Requested: NC Medicaid Care Delivery and Value-Based Payment Design
- DCDL: NCDSS NC Kids Adoption & Foster Care Network Exchanged & Permanency Innovation & Initiative
- Proposed Medicaid and NC Health Choice Policies
- Joint Communication Bulletins
- Tailored Care Management Updates
- NCTracks:
- Office Administrator (OA) Change Tips: How to Answer the Continued Access Question in an OA Change Request
- Inclusion of Veterans in NC Minority Provider Criteria
- The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published new Medicaid Bulletin articles:
- NCHEALTHCARE Broadband Coalition: Seeking Healthcare Providers in Halifax County!!!
- Sentinel Network: Help us respond to your health workforce needs! Deadline EXTENDED to November 30, 2022
- IN THE NEWS:
- North Carolina distributes last of $3.6B in federal COVID-19 relief funds
- Upcoming Events
- November 4, 2022
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Webinars
- DHHS:
- Fee Schedule and Covered Codes Webpage
- Delay in Annual Assessments for Personal Care Services Prior Approvals
- DCDL: NOTIFICATION OF NORTH CAROLINA APPROVED RESOURCE PARENT PRESERVICE TRAINING
- DCDL: NOTIFICATION OF PRIVATE PROVIDER SURVEY
- COVID-19 – Preparations for Winter Surge
- Joint Communication Bulletins
- NCTracks:
- Further Clarification of New Edits and Automatic Status Updates for 340B Pharmacies
- The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published new Medicaid Bulletin articles:
- NCCDD: Judge issues Landmark Ruling to increase services and supports for North Carolina’s I/DD community
- National Health Law Program: Settlement Reached in NC Medicaid Terminations Case
- Child Welfare Information Gateway: #NationalAdoptionMonth
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): HHS Finalizes Physician Payment Rule Strengthening Access to Behavioral Health Services and Whole-Person Care
- NC Healthcare Broadband Coalition: Newsletter
- NC Center for Health Workforce: Help us respond to your health workforce needs! Deadline Sunday, November 20, 2022
- IN THE NEWS:
- Triad Business Journal: Nonprofit opens coffee shop in Thomasville, aims to employ those with disabilities
- Upcoming Events
- October 21, 2022
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Webinars
- Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar with Dave Richard and Karen McLeod
- DHHS:
- New Standardized PHP Notification of Nursing Facility Level of Care Form
- Fee Schedule and Covered Codes webpage coming in November
- Changes in NC DHHS Medical Leadership
- Transitions to Community Living (TCL) Employment Incentive Plan
- Revision to the State-Funded Community Living and Support Service
- NC One Community in Recovery Call for Proposals
- NCTracks:
- The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published new Medicaid Bulletin articles
- Rapid Access to Residential Supports for Children and Youth Announcement-UPDATE
- Child Welfare Information Gateway: Effectively Responding to a Child in Crisis
- The Joint Commission: Incentive Pricing TJC Accreditation
- Title IV-E Prevention Services: New Clearinghouse Ratings
- IN THE NEWS:
- Workforce shortages in DHHS creating wider problems
- Upcoming Events
- October 7, 2022
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Webinars
- Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar with WellCare and Karen McLeod – Slide Deck Available
- NCTracks:
- NC DHHS Announces NC Minority Provider Information Page
- October Provider Training Schedule Now Available
- The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published new Medicaid Bulletin articles
- 2022 Veterans Day Holiday and Checkwrite Schedule – The 2022 checkwrite schedules can be found under Quick Links on the provider portal home page.
- NC Healthcare Broadband Coalition Newsletter – October 2022
- NC CHILD TREATMENT PROGRAM – NC CTP Spring 2023 Application Release: TF-CBT, PCIT & CPP
- NIH: Mental Health Solutions-Webinar & Infographic
- IN THE NEWS:
- Rollout of special Medicaid plans for complicated patients will be delayed until April
- When Will The “Workforce Thing” Be Over?
- Upcoming Events
- September 30, 2022
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Webinars
- DHHS:
- Press Release: NCDHHS Delays Medicaid Managed Care Tailored Plans
- Joint Communication Bulletins
Joint Communication Bulletin #J433 – State-Funded Assertive Engagement Service Definition - Community Health Grant SFY2024 RFA Release and Technical Assistance Webinars
- NCTracks:
- NCTracks to Receive ACA Site Visit Information Automatically
- DHB to Assess Out-of-State Enrollment Applications for Certain DME Taxonomies
- The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published new Medicaid Bulletin articles
- Special Edition Pharmacy Newsletter Available
- Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day Holiday and Check write Schedule
- INVITATION-NC Healthcare Broadband Coalition
- Rapid Resource for Families- Great News
- North Carolina Department of Public Instruction: Important Survey: School Performance Grades
- Child Welfare Information Gateway: Risk and Safety Assessment 101
- NIHCM: Telehealth improves treatment for opioid use disorder
At a Glance - National Health Law Program: HHS Withdraws Harmful Guidance Rule
- KFF: Recent Developments and Key Issues to Watch with Medicaid Section 1115 Waivers
- IN THE NEWS:
- NC DHHS to revamp regional support model (Includes video)
- NC child welfare leader says system is ‘in crisis’ and state could be sued ‘at any point’
- Grant to develop housing, opportunities for youth transitioning from foster care (Includes video)
- Upcoming Events
- September 20, 2022
- Recording: Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar with Karen McLeod and Dave Richard
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Webinars
- DHHS:
- An Invitation to HOPE, North Carolina’s Inclusive Housing Summit
- 2022 Ten-Day Postings for Submission to CMS
- MCAC Virtual Meeting Materials — Friday, September 16, 2022
- NCTRACKS:
- New Edits and Automatic Status Updates for 340B Pharmacies Coming Soon to NCTracks
- September Pharmacy Newsletter Available
- Administration for Community Living: ACL Awards New No Wrong Door Funding to 10 States
- Join the Field Center and the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School for a virtual webinar series this fall exploring the history and future of ICWA and the potential implications of the Supreme Court case for native children, families, and tribal sovereignty.
- Upcoming Events
- September 9, 2022
- Recording: Lisa Cauley & Karen McLeod – September 8, 2022
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Webinars
- DHHS:
- NC DSS DCDL: Community Resiliency Model Free Workshops for Foster Care Staff and Resource Parents
- NCDHHS Sends Tailored Plan Enrollment Notices to Beneficiaries
- Clinical Coverage Policy 8B- Inpatient Behavioral Health Services 15 day public comment posting
- Recovery Community Center Funding: Learn More
- Joint Communication Bulletins
- NCTRACKS:
- The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published new
Medicaid Bulletin articles
- The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published new
- CBX: This issue of CBX highlights kinship care
- FFTA: Registration open
- Child Welfare Information Gateway: Reflections on Kinship Care: Learning from the Past, Implications for the Future
- WECARE: Learn more about this initiative
- Josh Stein: Be Aware of Blackmail and Sextortion Schemes
- Consumer Report: ABLE Accounts Can Help People With Disabilities Save Tax-Free
- PHI News:
New Annual Research on the Direct Care Workforce
5 Direct Care Workforce Resources from 2o22
New Report on Data Collection in Direct Care - CMS: Announcing a CMS Virtual Listening Session with Health Care Providers and Suppliers on Emergency Preparedness
- Upcoming Events
- August 26, 2022
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Webinars
- DHHS:
- Clinical Coverage Policy 8A- Mobile Crisis Management Amendment 45-day public comment period
- NCTRACKS:
- Reminder- Guidance for Providers Applying with New DEA Licenses
- The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published new
Medicaid Bulletin articles
- NIHCM Foundation: Understanding & Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences
- National Institutions of Health: What Is Whole Person Health?
- National Center on LAW and ELDER RIGHTS: Resources for Supporting Kin and Grandparent Caregivers H/T Sarah Pfau-CCR
- Center for Connected Health Policy: Health-Care Coverage for Children and Youth in Foster Care—and After
- The Annie E. Casey Foundation: 2022 KIDS COUNT DATA BOOK
2022 STATE TRENDS IN CHILD WELL-BEING - Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field
- IN THE NEWS: WRAL: New mental health data show ‘unsustainable’ burden on NC hospitals
- Upcoming Events
- August 19, 2022
- Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar
Jay Ludlam & Karen McLeod - Benchmarks’ Upcoming Webinars
- DHHS:
-
August Pharmacy Newsletter Available
-
- NCTracks:
-
August Pharmacy Newsletter Available
-
- North Carolina Department of Public Instruction: Effective Mathematics Instruction for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities
- NC Healthy Blue: Healthy Blue Initiative and Foster Family Alliance collaboration for CRM training for professionals and separate for foster families
- IRS: Worker Classification 101: Employee or independent contractor
- Child Welfare Information Gateway: Health-Care Coverage for Children and Youth in Foster Care—and After
- National Institute of Mental Health: Facebook Event: The Youth Mental Health Crisis
- Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field
- IN THE NEWS:
- WRAL: Whistleblower lawsuit filed following WRAL Investigatrion into Medicaid misspending
- NC Medicaid providers say they’re owed big bucks while children go without care
- Carolina Public Press: FAQ: What happened with Cherokee County’s Department of Social Services?
- Upcoming Events
- Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar
- August 12, 2022
- Benchmarks’ Child Welfare Webinar
Lisa Cauley & Karen McLeod
August 11, 2022-
Slidedeck
-
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Webinars
- Benchmarks’ Membership Webinar: Standardized Referral Form Discussion with Benchmarks/Cansler Team
- DHHS:
- DHSR: Mental Health Construction Waivers
Requests for Temporary Waivers or Modifications of Enforcement of the Construction, Design, and Physical Plant Requirements for Mental Health, Developmental Disability, and Substance Abuse Facilities Pursuant to 1O NCAC Subchapter 27G pursuant to the authority granted in the 2022 Appropriations Act - Opioid Treatment Programs
Request for Temporary Waiver of 10A NCAC 27G .3604 (f)(1)(A)-(G) and
(f)(3)(A) -
NC DSS:
- DHSR: Mental Health Construction Waivers
- NCTracks:
-
The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published a new Medicaid Bulletin article:
- Pharmacy Point of Sale Process at Tailored Plan Launch
- NC Medicaid Electronic Visit Verification Update for Providers Using a Third Party / Alternate EVV Vendor
- Enhanced Medical Home Payments for Advanced Medical Homes Serving Members Eligible for Tailored Care Management
- NC Medicaid Managed Care Provider Update
-
- Engaging Parents and Youth with Lived Experience: Strengthening Collaborative Policy and Practice Initiatives for Families with Mental Health and Substance Use DisordersNational Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare:
- PHI News:
- PHI’s New Strategic Plan: 2022-2025
- State Supports for Direct Care Workers & COVID-19
- IN THE NEWS:
- US DOJ:
NC Woman Convicted in $34 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme- WRAL:
Group bashing child protective services pressures Durham County officials, raising safety concerns - ‘There was staff that had their hair pulled out’: Mental health crisis creates strain on NC health care workers
- WRAL:
- US DOJ:
- Upcoming Events
- Benchmarks’ Child Welfare Webinar
- August 5, 2022
- Benchmarks’ PHP Membership Webinar with
Carolina Complete Health & Karen McLeod
August 5, 2022:-
Items from the meeting:
-
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Webinars
- Benchmarks’ Membership Webinar: Standardized Referral Form Discussion with Benchmarks/Cansler Team
- DHHS:
- NC Medicaid Resources in Preparation for End of the Federal PHE
- Pharmacy Point of Sale Process at Tailored Plan Launch
- Time to Get Children Up-to-Date on Vaccinations
- August is National Breastfeeding Month
- NCTracks:
- Home Health Electronic Visit Verification Stakeholder Engagement Meeting
A Message from NCTracks on Behalf of NC Medicaid - Reminders:
- The previously announced system changes scheduled to occur July 31, 2022 have been completed. Providers are reminded of these important updates.
- Addition of Rehabilitation/Substance Use Taxonomy 261QR0405X
- Designation Form No Longer Required for Current DEA Certifications
- Additional Electronic Visit Verification Data Capture
- Endoscopy Code Family Updated in NCTracks
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #263: New NC Medicaid Webpage to Help Prepare for End of the Federal Public Health Emergency
- The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published a new Medicaid Bulletin article:
- August Provider Training Schedule Now Available
- Home Health Electronic Visit Verification Stakeholder Engagement Meeting
- Provider Alert Statewide Network: N.C. Child and Family Improvement Initiative Formalizes a Statewide Network for Child Treatment Providers
What is happening? - Bipartisan Policy Center:
- The Latest from BPC’s Paid Family Leave Initiative
Mothers in the Workforce: Takeaways from BPC-Morning Consult Poll
BPC Analyzes Options to Update FMLA for Workers and Employers - New Law Protects Science Researchers Who Take Leave
The Paid Family and Medical Leave Business Tax Credit: What is it and how can employers use it?
- The Latest from BPC’s Paid Family Leave Initiative
- CQL: CMS Includes CQL’s Personal Outcome Measures® In HCBS Quality Measure Set
- data.HRSA.gov: New Data on Health Care Workforce Diversity
- NIH:”Fall Semester—A Time for Parents to Discuss the Risks of College Drinking”: Factsheet Available in English & Spanish
- NELSON MULLINS: Carrie Hanger Wins Pro Bono Case for Neglected Children
- Upcoming Events
- Benchmarks’ PHP Membership Webinar with
- July 15, 2022
- Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Webinars
- DHHS:
- Integrating Community Health Workers into NC Medicaid
- Funding Opportunities
- Medicaid Managed Care – Meet the Health Plans
- 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Behavioral Health Response Goes Live Tomorrow
- Joint Communication Bulletins
- NCTracks:
- Additional Electronic Visit Verification Data Capture
- Resolution of Prior Approval Issue for Outpatient Specialized Therapies
- Reminder – Home and Community Based Services Transition Plan Public Comment Ends Tuesday, July 19
A Message from NCTracks on Behalf of NC Medicaid - Reminder – Tailored Plan 101: Ready, Set, Launch Series Webinar
A Message from NCTracks on Behalf of NC Medicaid
Thursday, July 21, 2022 | 5:30-6:45 p.m. - SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #256: Moderna Pediatric Vaccine
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #257: Moderna Pediatric Vaccine
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #258: Extension of Flexibility for Opioid Treatment Program Take-Home Dosing
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #259: Mandatory Coverage of COVID-19-Related Treatment Under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (UPDATE)
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #260: NC Medicaid Pharmacy Point-of-Sale Billing for Pharmacist-Prescribed Paxlovid
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #261: New Moderna Pediatric Vaccine Codes
- **Update to SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #252
- The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published a new Medicaid Bulletin article:
- July Provider Training Schedule Now Available
- NCCDD:
- Do you know a passionate NC disability advocate worthy of recognition?
- ATTN: I/DD Providers – Take the NCI Survey by July 31!
- Center for Health Care Strategies: ATTN: I/DD Providers – Take the NCI Survey by July 31!
- PHI News:
- Hazard Pay, Paid Sick Leave & Direct Care Workers
- ‘The Careforce for an Aging America’
- In the News:
- WHQR: Community Child Protection Team says there’s room for improvement in New Hanover County child welfare
- The Daily Advance: DHHS Findings Suggest Bertie DSS Director Acted Unlawfully
- Upcoming Events
- July 29, 2022
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Webinars
- DHHS:
- Joint Communication Bulletins
- NCTracks:
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #262: Extension of Flexibility for Opioid Treatment Program Take-Home Dosing Update
- Providers are encouraged to review this information. All bulletin articles, including those related to COVID-19, are available on DHB’s Medicaid Bulletin webpage.
- The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published a new Medicaid Bulletin article:
- NC Health Connex: Important Legal Update
State Legislature Temporarily Suspends Enforcement Provision in the Statewide Health Information Exchange Act - Rural Health Research Gateway: Rural Children with 4+ Adverse Childhood Experiences Often Lack Positive Experiences
- In the News Center for Health Care Strategies: Leveraging Technology to Improve Quality within Medicaid Managed Care: Early Lessons
- NAMD:
- HHS Formally Renews COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
- CMS Releases Home and Community-Based Services Quality Measure Set
- NPSC: Invitation: HHS Convening on Advancing Primary Prevention in Human Services | Aug 9 & 10
- disabilityscoop: Federal Disability Employment Program Bans Subminimum Wages
- NIHCM: Visualizing the Impact of the Opioid Overdose Crisis
- Upcoming Events
- July 15, 2022
- Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Webinars
- DHHS:
- Integrating Community Health Workers into NC Medicaid
- Funding Opportunities
- Medicaid Managed Care – Meet the Health Plans
- 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Behavioral Health Response Goes Live Tomorrow
- Joint Communication Bulletins
- NCTracks:
- Additional Electronic Visit Verification Data Capture
- Resolution of Prior Approval Issue for Outpatient Specialized Therapies
- Reminder – Home and Community Based Services Transition Plan Public Comment Ends Tuesday, July 19
A Message from NCTracks on Behalf of NC Medicaid - Reminder – Tailored Plan 101: Ready, Set, Launch Series Webinar
A Message from NCTracks on Behalf of NC Medicaid
Thursday, July 21, 2022 | 5:30-6:45 p.m. - SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #256: Moderna Pediatric Vaccine
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #257: Moderna Pediatric Vaccine
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #258: Extension of Flexibility for Opioid Treatment Program Take-Home Dosing
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #259: Mandatory Coverage of COVID-19-Related Treatment Under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (UPDATE)
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #260: NC Medicaid Pharmacy Point-of-Sale Billing for Pharmacist-Prescribed Paxlovid
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #261: New Moderna Pediatric Vaccine Codes
- **Update to SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #252
- The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published a new Medicaid Bulletin article:
- July Provider Training Schedule Now Available
- NCCDD:
- Do you know a passionate NC disability advocate worthy of recognition?
- ATTN: I/DD Providers – Take the NCI Survey by July 31!
- Center for Health Care Strategies: ATTN: I/DD Providers – Take the NCI Survey by July 31!
- PHI News:
- Hazard Pay, Paid Sick Leave & Direct Care Workers
- ‘The Careforce for an Aging America’
- In the News:
- WHQR: Community Child Protection Team says there’s room for improvement in New Hanover County child welfare
- The Daily Advance: DHHS Findings Suggest Bertie DSS Director Acted Unlawfully
- Upcoming Events
- July 1, 2022
- Benchmarks’ Legislative Update:
- Continuation of Enhanced Rates for Skilled Nursing and Personal Care Services
- Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
- Medicaid Transformation Expenses
- LME/MCO Opioid Funds
- Benchmarks also worked on the passage of H791 Licensed Counselors Compact/DHHS Contracting
- Consider Sending a Thank You to NC’s CAPTA Champions
- Background and Where We Are
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Webinars
- DHHS:
- Clinical Coverage Policies posted for 45 day public comment
- Draft NC HCBS Final Transition Plan available for Public Comment through July 19
- CAP/DA Waiver Amendment Posted for Public Comment
- NCTracks:
- ATTENTION: Providers Of Outpatient Specialized Therapies
- Tailored Plan 101: Ready, Set, Launch Series
Thursday, July 21, 2022 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. - 2nd Annual Virtual Statewide Quality Forum
Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022 | 12:30-1:30 p.m. - SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #255: Mandatory Coverage of COVID-19-Related Treatment Under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #254: Pfizer-BioNTech Pediatric Vaccine
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #253: Nursing Facility Program Updates
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #252: Updates to Current Temporary COVID-19 Rate Increases
- The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published a new Medicaid Bulletin article:
- Addition of Rehabilitation/Substance Use Taxonomy 261QR0405X
- Designation Form No Longer Required for Current DEA Certifications
- NCTracks Call Center and Checkwrite Schedule for 4th of July Independence Day Holiday
- NCCDD: Request for Applications – Roommate-Matching Service
- REDIFINIG NORMAL: We Need Your Help Positively Impacting Communities!
- IRS:
- Starting July 1, IRS increases mileage rate for remainder of 2022
- Taxpayers now have more options to correct, amend returns electronically
- Here’s what businesses need to know about the enhanced business meal deduction
- IN THE NEWS: NC Health News: With our own Karen McLeod!
- Upcoming Events
- Benchmarks’ Legislative Update:
- June 17, 2022
- Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar
Featuring Karen McLeod & Dave Richard
June 17, 2022
Links to items mentioned in the webinar - Benchmarks’ Upcoming Webinars
- DHHS:
- Tailored Plan Webinar Series
- Additional Healthy Opportunities Services Now Available
- Current Grant Opportunities
- Medical Care Advisory Committee (MCAC) Meeting Handouts from June 17, 2022
- From NC DSS: Quarterly Private Agency Meeting
August 18,2022 from 1:00-2:30pm - DSS Related: From the Western Area Foster Care Association (WAFCA): (Hat tip to Leslie Kellenberger!)
- Joint Communication Bulletins
- JCB #421-Update to Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Validation Process and Timeline
- NCTracks:
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #250: Planning for the Transition out of the Appendix K Public Health Emergency for CAP/C and CAP/DA Waivers
SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #251: Sunsetting of Temporary COVID-19 Flexibilities Tied to the NC State of Emergency - The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published a new Medicaid Bulletin article
- Reminder: Call Center and Checkwrite Schedule for Juneteenth Independence Day
Both the NCTracks Call Center and Pharmacy Prior Approval Unit will be open regular hours on Monday, June 20, 2022.
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #250: Planning for the Transition out of the Appendix K Public Health Emergency for CAP/C and CAP/DA Waivers
- Administration for Children & Families: Funding Opportunity: Regional Partnership Grants to Increase the Well-Being of, and to Improve the Permanency Outcomes for, Children and Families Affected by Opioids and Other Substance Abuse – HHS-2022-ACF-ACYF-CU-0094
- HRSA: Notice of Funding Opportunity: Rural Communities Opioid Response Program-Medication-Assisted Treatment Access
- National Institutes of Health: Funding Opportunity: NIH Researching Social Connectedness for SUD Treatment – Due August 15
- disabilityscoop: Drumming Improves Behavior In Young People With Autism, Study Finds
- Upcoming Events
- Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar
- June 9, 2022
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- Benchmarks’ Child Welfare Webinar, Featuring Karen McLeod, Lisa Cauley & Team, June 9, 2022, Handouts
- DHHS:
- NC Medicaid Managed Care Provider Update – June 7, 2022
Upcoming Key Milestone Dates for NC Medicaid Managed Care - Provider Playbook Updates
- Verifying NC Medicaid Eligibility for Beneficiaries
- Provider Reverification
- IMPORTANT: Verify Your NCTracks Provider Record is Current
- REMINDER: Coverage for Pregnant Beneficiaries Extended to 12 Months
- COVID-19 Vaccine Incentive Program
- Provider Ombudsman
- Help Center Available for Providers to Find Information
- PHP Quick Reference Guides
- NC Medicaid Managed Care Webinars
-
Prior Approval Requirements Resume for Children’s Developmental Services Agency ProvidersPA Resumes for Behavioral Health Services Effective July 15, 2022
- Attention IDD Providers: National Core Indicators™ (NCI) Staff Stability Survey for 2021 Available: IDD Providers
- Clinically Managed Residential- Adult, High Intensity (ASAM 3.5) Stakeholder Engagement
- Sharing as an FYI: Seeking Your Input on draft “Clifford’s Law” Protocols-Please share with those who have interest!
- Joint Communication Bulletins
- NC Medicaid Managed Care Provider Update – June 7, 2022
- CMS: HHS Extends American Rescue Plan Spending Deadline for States to Expand and Enhance Home- and Community-Based Services for People with Medicaid
- HRSA: HHS Announces National Competition to Spark Innovation that Will Improve Patient Access to Primary Care
- IN THE NEWS: Winston-Salem Journal: State’s six behavioral health managed care organizations unite on foster care services plan
- Upcoming Events
- June 3, 2022
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- Benchmarks’ Public/Private Behavioral Health Forum (PPBH) Face to Face Meeting
Friday, June 10, 2022
10:30 am thru 2:30 pm
Royal Center, Raleigh NC - DHHS:
- **Special Message from Dave: Provider and Tailored Plan Contract Deadlines**
- Reminder: Clinical Coverage Policy 8C- Outpatient Behavioral Health Services-Public Comment
- Joint Communication Bulletins
- Watch a recording of the latest tele-town hall on COVID-19 recovery, treatments and first-hand experiences
- Q&A with Debra Farrington: NCDHHS’ Chief Health Equity Officer
- NCTracks:
- The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published a new Medicaid Bulletin article pertaining to COVID-19:
SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #249: Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine Booster Dose for Children Age 5 through 11
SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #248: Telehealth Flexibilities for Occupational and Physical Therapies
Update to SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #237 - New Medicaid Bulletins Available
- The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published a new Medicaid Bulletin article pertaining to COVID-19:
- OMH: New Funding Opportunity Announcement: Promoting Equitable Access to Language Services in Health and Human Services
- HRSA: HRSA’s National Telehealth Conference Now On Demand
- Upcoming Events
- May 27, 2022
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- Benchmarks’ Public/Private Behavioral Health Forum (PPBH) Face to Face Meeting
Friday, June 10, 2022
10:30 am thru 2:30 pm
Royal Center, Raleigh NC - DHHS:
- New Billing Codes for Social Drivers of Health
- Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services Grant Opportunities
- Request for applications North Carolina Grants to Prevent Prescription Drug/Opioid Overdose-Related Deaths (PDO)
- Tailored Plan Contracting Matrix (Repost)
- Clinical Coverage Policy 8C- Outpatient Behavioral Health Services-Public Comment
- Technical changes have been made to NC Medicaid Clinical Coverage Policy 8A-2: Facility-Based Crisis Service for Children and Adolescents
- Public Comment for Strategic Housing Plan
- Join Sec. Kinsley at Eastpointe’s Mobile Care Center Launch Event
- Stakeholder email on NCDHHS highlights in Governor’s Budget-From Lisa Cauley
- Foster Care and Reunification: June Event and Vendor Information:
From Mary Mackins, Permanency Coordinator, DSS - Joint Communication Bulletins
- NCTracks:
- The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published a new Medicaid Bulletin article pertaining to COVID-19:
SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #247: Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests for Home Use Pharmacy Coverage - New Medicaid Bulletins Available
- May Pharmacy Newsletter Available
- Full Legal Name Required
- Reminder – Call Center & Checkwrite Schedule for Memorial Day Holiday
- The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published a new Medicaid Bulletin article pertaining to COVID-19:
- Child Welfare: Improve Daily Practice With Resources that Prioritize Kinship Care
- LME/MCOs Launch Initiative to Ensure Seamless, Statewide Care for Foster Children
- Vaya Health: Vaya Retroactive Therapeutic Foster Care Rate Increase
- Medicaid.gov: Home and Community-Based Services Final Rule Update: Final Statewide Transition Plan Submissions, Settings Criteria Not Impacted by the COVID-19 PHE, and Requests from States for Corrective Action Plans
- AHRQ: Technical Brief on Mental Health Mobile Apps
- NPSC: EARN $100 BY HELPING US DESIGN A PARENTING GAME!
- In The News: NC Health News
- Lots of Buzz About Medicaid Expansion Bill
- Sheriffs want to turn transport of psych patients over to mental health workers
- Carolina Public Press: Child’s death triggers new state response to Cherokee County DSS
- North State Journal: Senate lawmakers introduce “Parents’ Bill of Rights” legislation
- Montgomery Herald: State Supports Agency’s Actions
- Upcoming Events
- May 6, 2022
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- Benchmarks’ Public/Private Behavioral Health Forum (PPBH) Face to Face Meeting
Friday, June 10, 2022
10:30 am thru 2:30 pm
Royal Center, Raleigh NC - DHHS:
- Mental Health Awareness Month Series
Recovery is Possible: Highlighting the Consumer and Family Experience
Exploring Best Practices to Treat Serious Mental Illness
The Value and Impact of Peer Support Specialists
Promoting Whole Health – The Importance of Integrated Care
The Importance of Addressing the Intersection Between Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System - Healthy Opportunities Housing and Transportation Services Available
- Request for applications North Carolina Grants to Prevent Prescription Drug/Opioid Overdose-Related Deaths (PDO)
- MFP Lunch and Learn Recording and Materials: Rethinking Guardianship
- Slide deck and recording from the May 3, 2022, Public Hearing for the NC Medicaid 1115 Waiver Proposed Child Welfare Amendment
As a reminder, comments must be received by 5 p.m. ET May 23, 2022. - Current Request for Applications at NC DMH/DD/SAS
- Waiver Slots Process
- State Funded Comprehensive Case Management Service Definition
- Joint Communication Bulletins
JCB #413-State-Funded (Non-Medicaid) Provider Credentialing During LME/MCO to Behavioral Health and Intellectual/Developmental Disability (I/DD) Tailored Plan Transition
- Mental Health Awareness Month Series
- NCTracks:
- New Medicaid Bulletins Available
- Request to Encourage Members to Participate in 2022 Provider Survey-Extended Until May 10.
- May Provider Training Schedule
- Child Welfare: Preserve Culture and Families with Relative and Kinship Care
- NC Child Treatment Program: NC CTP Fall 2022 Applications Release: TF-CBT, SPARCS & PCIT
- NIAAASpectrum: Simultaneous Alcohol and Marijuana Use Among Young Adults: A Scoping Review of Prevalence, Patterns, Psychosocial Correlates, and Consequences
- Upcoming Events
- April 29, 2022
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- Benchmarks’ Public/Private Behavioral Health Forum (PPBH) Face to Face Meeting
Friday, June 10, 2022
10:30 am thru 2:30 pm
Royal Center, Raleigh NC - Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar
Debra Farrington & Tara Fields – Download Slide Deck - DHHS:
- From NC DSS:
Purpose: Court: Roles and Obligations of Foster Parents-A Learning Site for NC Foster and Adoptive Parents and Kinship Caregivers - NC Medicaid Tailored Plan/Care Management Updates
Capacity Building Program FAQs:
Guidance on the Use of Extenders in Tailored Care Management
Standard Terms and Conditions
Provider Manual Updated - HCBS Stakeholder Workgroup Updates
- Substance Use Disorder Services for Individuals with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Request for Applications (RFA)
- Public Hearings for the NC Medicaid 1115 Waiver Proposed Amendment for Families Served by the NC Child Welfare System
- State Funded Comprehensive Case Management Service Definition
- Joint Communication Bulletins
JCB #411-Update to Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Validation Processes - JCB #412: Level of Care and Supporting Documentation During the COVID-19 State of Emergency
- From NC DSS:
- NCTracks:
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #244: Evusheld Alternative to COVID-19 Vaccination for Some Patients
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #245: Second Booster for Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Vaccines
- **SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #246: Direct Care Worker One-Time Bonus Reminders & Expectations
- Update to SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #245: Second Booster for Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Vaccines
- New Medicaid Bulletins Available
- Request to Encourage Members to Participate in 2022 Provider Survey
NCTracks Annual Provider Survey for 2022 Available - Reminder of User Types and Roles in NCTracks – New User Setup
- Reminder: Required Identification for Assistance from the NCTracks Contact Center
- Federal Office of Rural Health Policy:
- SAMHSA Certified Behavioral Health Clinics – Planning, Development, and Implementation Grants
- Apply for New Community Health Worker Training Program
- HRSA to Host First National Telehealth Conference
- Office of Minority Health (OMH) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcement
- May 2022 FFTA National & NC Chapter
NC FFTA 2022 Year Plan - The National Law Review:
- Using the New Value-Based Rules to Enhance Your ACO
- Return to Work Considerations – COVID and the ADA
- EEOC Issues Guidance on Caregiver Discrimination
- The John A. Hartford Foundation: Survey: Age-Friendly Insights: Direct Care Workers
- Upcoming Events
- April 15, 2022
- Benchmarks’ Child Welfare Webinar – Lisa Cauley, DSS Team & Karen McLeod – Download Slidedeck
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- SAVE THE DATE
Benchmarks’ Public/Private Behavioral Health Forum (PPBH) Face to Face Meeting
Friday, June 10, 2022
10:30 am thru 2:30 pm
Royal Center, Raleigh NC - North Car0lina General Assembly:
- Joint Legislative Oversight Committee (JLOC) Meetings: Documents and Handouts
- JLOC Access to Healthcare and Medicaid Expansion
April 11, 2022 - JLOC Health and Human Services
April 12, 2022
(Our very own Keith Henry with Baptist shared a simply lovely presentation with the committee.) - JLOC Medicaid and NC Health Choice
April 12, 2022
- DHHS:
- Joint Communication Bulletin #J410:
State-Funded Community Living and Support and Day Supports Services - Supporting Medical Mental Health & Intellectual, Developmental Disability Needs for Children & Youth in Foster Care
- Stakeholder Engagement Behavioral Health Clinical Coverage Policy Update
- Joint Communication Bulletin #J410:
- NCTracks:
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #243: Revised Outpatient Billing Guidance for Vaccine and Monoclonal Antibody Administration
- Update to SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #237: Extension of NC State of Emergency Temporary Flexibilities
- New Medicaid Bulletins Available
- Reminder – NCTracks Unable to Accept Secure or Encrypted Emails
- Update to Enrollment Requirements for Primary Care and Public Health Taxonomies
- Enhanced Screening of Owners and Managing Employees for Organization Enrollment
- Winston-Salem JOURNAL: Forsyth County appeals for opt-out on plan to centralize mental health services for kids in the child welfare system
- Building Better Childhoods: Gain new guidance and tools for communicating about childhood adversity.
- National Institute of Mental Health: Two Weeks Left to Enter National Essay Contest Exploring Mental Health
- Upcoming Events
- April 1, 2022
- National Child Abuse Prevention Month Starts Today!
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- SAVE THE DATE
Benchmarks’ Public/Private Behavioral Health Forum (PPBH) Face to Face Meeting
Friday, June 10, 2022
10:30 am thru 2:30 pm
Royal Center, Raleigh NC - DHHS:
- Extension of the Waiver for Qualified Professional Rules
- NC Medicaid Behavioral Health Services to Transition to Tailored Plans in December 2022
- Postpartum Coverage Extended to 12 Months for NC Medicaid Beneficiaries Beginning April 1
- New Employment and Brain Injury Resource
- Joint Communication Bulletin #J408:
UPDATE to Implementation Dates for State-Funded Residential Supports (RS) (I/DD & TBI) Service and Supported Living Periodic (SLP) (I/DD & TBI) Service and Explanation of the Grandfathering Request Process - Joint Communication Bulletin #J408:
UPDATE to Implementation Dates for State-Funded Residential Supports (RS) (I/DD & TBI) Service and Supported Living Periodic (SLP) (I/DD & TBI) Service and Explanation of the Grandfathering Request Process - Community Partners Webinar: Updates on NC Medicaid Managed Care and other Key Medicaid initiatives – March 24, 2022
- NCTracks:
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #241: Direct Care Worker One-Time Bonus Payment Update
- New Medicaid Bulletins Available as of March 21, 2022
- Full Legal Name Required to Match on NCTracks Record and Licensure for Individual Providers
- Provider Name Incorrect with NPPES, DEA, NCMB, etc.
- Character Limitation for Fields on Provider Applications
- DHHS: New Funding Opportunity from The Duke Endowment
Request for Applications
JOIN US
Thursday, May 12 9:00-9:30 am
Healthy People, Healthy Carolinas
Q&A Webinar - BusinessWire: Attorney David Rudolf of Rudolf Widenhouse Announces Cardinal Innovations Healthcare Solutions to Pay Former CEO Richard Topping $500,000 for Defamation
- CWLA: CALL FOR ABSTRACTS:
A Special Issue of Child Welfare Journal on Opportunities for Child Welfare to Respond to Prenatal Alcohol and Other Substance Exposure - NC Child Treatment Program: NC CTP Fall 2022 Learning Collaborative Applications are now open!
- Carolina Public Press: Dodging Standards: A three-part series
- USDHHS Center for Disease and Prevention: CDC data looks at the impact of COVID-19 on adolescents
- Senate Finance Committee Bipartisan Report on Mental Health Care
- Upcoming Events
- March 25, 2022
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- SAVE THE DATE
Benchmarks’ Public/Private Behavioral Health Forum (PPBH) Face to Face Meeting
Friday, June 10, 2022
10:30 am thru 2:30 pm
Royal Center, Raleigh NC - DHHS:
- Regional Child Welfare Prevention Services Consultant positions are posted
- Meeting Materials from MCAC Meeting: March 25, 2022
- Acting for Children with Complex Behavioral Health Needs
- Joint DMHDDSUS and DHB (NC Medicaid) Consumer Call
- NCDHHS Announces Funding Opportunity for the Development and Implementation of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs)
- Stakeholder Engagement Behavioral Health Clinical Coverage Policy Update
- NCTracks:
- Important Update! SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #237: Extension of NC State of Emergency Temporary Flexibilities
- Update to COVID Bulletin #34: March 18, 2022
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #238: REMINDER: Hospital at Home Program Ends March 31, 2022
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #240: Update on Vaccination Counseling Code Reimbursement
- New Medicaid Bulletins Available as of March 21, 2022
- March Pharmacy Newsletter Now Available
- Reminder of Upcoming NC Medicaid Managed Care Webinars
A Message from NCTracks on Behalf of NC Medicaid
- Upcoming Events
- March 18, 2022
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar with
Karen McLeod and Dave Richard
March 18, 2022 – Recording - SAVE THE DATE
Benchmarks’ Public/Private Behavioral Health Forum (PPBH) Face to Face Meeting
Friday, June 10, 2022
10:30 am thru 2:30 pm
Royal Center, Raleigh NC - North Carolina General Assembly:
- Handouts from the NCGA: Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services-March 15, 2022
- Handouts from the NCGA: Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Access to Healthcare & Medicaid Expansion
- DHHS:
- Healthy Opportunities Food Services Available
- Please join us on March 24th for our next Community Partners Webinar featuring updates from NC Medicaid
- Community Partners Webinar featuring updates from NC Medicaid
2-3 p.m., Thursday, March 24, 2022
- NCTracks:
- NC Medicaid Managed Care Webinars
- NCTracks Call Center Closed Good Friday 2022
- Center for Health Care Strategies: Integrating Adverse Childhood Experiences Screening into Clinical Practice: Insights from California Providers
- Family Centered Treatment: 2022 FCT National Conference
Registration Now Open! - North Carolina Black Disabilities Network: Inaugural Conference – Building the Direct Care Workforce Movement: The Essential Jobs, Essential Care Multi-State Initiative
- disabilityscoop: Waiting Lists For IDD Services Balloon
- The National Law Review: EEOC Issues Reminder That Caregiver Duties Continue Even As COVID Surge Wanes (US)
- Upcoming Events
- March 11, 2022
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- SAVE THE DATE
Benchmarks’ Public/Private Behavioral Health Forum (PPBH) Face to Face Meeting
Friday, June 10, 2022
10:30 am thru 2:30 pm
Royal Center, Raleigh NC - Benchmarks’ Thursday Child Welfare Webinar with
Karen McLeod and Lisa Cauley
March 10, 2022
(Slidedeck) - NCTracks:
- NC Medicaid Managed Care Webinars
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #235-236 Now Available
- New Medicaid Bulletin Available as of March 10, 2022
- NCTracks Call Center Closed Good Friday 2022
- Vaya Health: Direct Care Worker and COVID-19 Rate Changes
- HRSA Health Workforce: 2022 NHSC New Site Application Cycle Opens Soon
- PHI News: Building the Direct Care Workforce Movement: The Essential Jobs, Essential Care Multi-State Initiative
- NIHCM Foundation: The Children’s Mental Health Crisis
- Child Trends: New child welfare data can inform state and federal decision making
- The Washington Post: This is why it’s so hard to find mental health counseling right now
- Upcoming Events
- March 4, 2022
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- SAVE THE DATE
Benchmarks’ Public/Private Behavioral Health Forum (PPBH) Face to Face Meeting
Friday, June 10, 2022
10:30 am thru 2:30 pm
Royal Center, Raleigh NC - Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar with
Karen McLeod and AmeriHealth Caritas Recording
March 4, 2022 - DHHS:
- Direct Care Worker One-Time Bonus Payment Information
- Community Alternatives Program for Children Waiver Renewal Update
Waiver extension has been approved by CMS - State Funded TBI Long Term Residential Rehab-Open for Public Comment
- Slide Presentations from Webinars This Week
- Personal Care Services (PCS) and Community Alternatives Programs (CAP):
- From NC DSS: Dear Director Letter – Kinship First Webinar
- From NC DSS: Linda Waite Announces Retirement
- NCTracks:
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #235: New ICD-10 Diagnosis and Procedure Codes Effective April 1, 2022
- **SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #234: UPDATE to Permanent Changes Made for PHE Flexibilities and Plan for Sunsetting of Temporary Policies
- **SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #233: Direct Care Worker One-Time Bonus Payments
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #232: Hospice Room and Board Claims Reprocessing Due to Extension
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID #231: Bebtelovimab Injection for Intravenous use HCPCS Code Q0222: Billing Guidelines
- 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 Bulletin Available as of March 1, 2022
- SMI Adviser: Free Online Training for Mental Health Professionals in North Carolina
SMI and COVID: Successful Models and Protocols
Wednesday, March 9, 2022 | 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm ET - Kaiser Health News: Calls to Overhaul Methadone Distribution Intensify, but Clinics Resist
- SAMSHA: Grant Announcement: Services Grant Program for Residential Treatment for Pregnant and Postpartum Women
- NCChild: 2022 Kids: Empowered Communities Driving Change
Benchmarks is honored to be a sponsor of 2022 Kids: Empowered Communities Driving Change - Upcoming Events
- February 25, 2022
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- SAVE THE DATE
Benchmarks’ Public/Private Behavioral Health Forum (PPBH) Face to Face Meeting
Friday, June 10, 2022
10:30 am thru 2:30 pm
Royal Center, Raleigh NC - DHHS:
- Upcoming Changes to Mask Guidance Effective March 7th
-
SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #230: Update on Temporary Rate Increases and HCBS Rate ImplementationDetail on continuing, end-dating and revised rates
- Continuing or Revised Temporary COVID-19 Rate Increases
- Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF):
- Personal Care Services (PCS) and Community Alternatives Programs (CAP):
- Non-DCW HCBS Services:
- Effects of COVID-19 Rate Changes on NC Medicaid Managed Care Plans
Local Management Entity/Managed Care Organization (LME/MCO) Rates: - NC Medicaid Managed Care Provider Update
Upcoming Key Milestone Dates for NC Medicaid Managed Care - Provider Playbook Updates
- COVID-19 Vaccine Incentive Program
- Provider Prior Authorizations
- Provider Ombudsman
- Help Center Available for Providers to Find Information
- Ensure Your Information Displays Correctly in North Carolina’s Provider Directory – Medicaid and NC Health Choice Provider and Health Plan Look-Up Tool
- PHP Quick Reference Guides
- Now Accepting Applications: 7th Annual NC Community Transitions Institute
- 2022 Institute Format
- JCB J407 State Funded Residential Supports and Supported Living Periodic Service
- NCHealthConnex: Behavioral Health Providers Bridge Mental, Physical Health with HIEs
- NC Medicaid Ombudsman:
- Newsletter • February 2022
- NEMT under Managed Care:
- Plans must:
- Process:
- What you can do
- Family Focused Treatment Association: Consider signing on to support Bi-partisan Legislation- Treatment Family Care Services Act
- Carolina Public Press:
- Public Health Emergency is Ending: What It Means for Medicaid/CHIP
- USDHHS: Consider signing on to support Bi-partisan Legislation- Treatment Family Care Services Act
- IRS: The Work Opportunity Tax Credit benefits employers
- Upcoming Events
- February 18, 2022
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- Message from Benchmarks’ President/CEO: Karen McLeod
- Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar
with Debra Farrington & Karen McLeod recording - SAVE THE DATE
Benchmarks’ Public/Private Behavioral Health Forum (PPBH) Face to Face Meeting
Friday, June 10, 2022
10:30 am thru 2:30 pm
Royal Center, Raleigh NC - North Carolina General Assembly:
- Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health & Human Services
- Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Medicaid & Health Choice
- Joint Legislative Committee on Access to Healthcare & Medicaid Expansion
- DHHS:
- Funding Opportunity: NCCARE360 Community Organizations and Network Support Agencies Health Equity Grants
- 2020 Staff Stability Report and COVID-Supplement
- Webinar: Updates on North Carolina’s Children and Families Specialty Plan – Feb. 17, 2022
- Medicaid Managed Care Webinar Series (Fireside Chat)
- NC DHHS Organizational Chart
- Links to Materials and Recording from Feb. 2, 2022 Community Partners Webinar
- Money Follows the Person (MFP) Lunch and Learn Slides and Recording Link
- North Carolina Blueprint:
- NCDSS Announces New Division of Child and Family Well-Being
- Announcing New NCDSS Adoptions Manager Susan Ahaus
- In Case You Missed It: NC Food and Nutrition Services Participants Can Now Use Benefits for Online Purchases at 11 Grocery Stores
- Practice Standards Virtual Open House Feb. 24
- National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) Survey due March 31
- NCTracks:
- New Medicaid Bulletins Available as of Feb. 15, 2022
- EVV Stakeholder Meeting
Feb. 28, 2022 at 10 a.m.
- NASDDDS: January/February 2022 Issue of Federal Perspectives
- JAMA: Effect of Offering Care Management or Online Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training vs Usual Care on Self-harm Among Adult Outpatients With Suicidal Ideation: A Randomized Clinical Trial
- The National Law Review:
- Getting Rid of the Misnomer: The Risks Behind the Term “1099 Employee”
- Remote & Alternative Work Arrangements – Strategies for Success and Reducing Risk
- Rural Health Research Gateway: Meeting the Behavioral Health Needs of Farm Families in Times of Economic Distress
- Upcoming Events
- February 4, 2022
- Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar
United Healthcare/Optum PHP & Karen McLeod - Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- SAVE THE DATE
Benchmarks’ Public/Private Behavioral Health Forum (PPBH) Face to Face Meeting
Friday, June 10, 2022
10:30 am thru 2:30 pm
Royal Center, Raleigh NC - DHHS:
- Updates on Provider Flexibilities During the PHE
- 1115 Waiver Demonstration – NC Amendment
- FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENT! Building Capacity for HCBS through Collective Impact
- Behavioral Health Minority Provider Virtual Summit
- NCTracks:
- REVISED AND UPDATED!!!!
Deadline for DCW One-Time Bonus Submissions EXTENDED to Friday, February 11, 2022
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #228: Direct Care Worker One-Time Bonus
- Updates to SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #212, 213 and 214
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #212: Direct Care Worker and Support Staff One-Time Bonus
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #213: Direct Care Worker ICF-IID Wage Increase
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #214: Direct Care Worker HCBS Wage Increase
- Providers are encouraged to review this information. All bulletin articles, including those related to COVID-19, are available on DHB’s Medicaid Bulletin webpage.
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #219: Over-the-Counter Tests for Home Use
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #220: Temporary Rate Increases Extended or Replaced
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #221: Status of Federal Vaccine Mandates
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #222: FDA Approves Remdesivir (Veklury) for Qualifying Pediatric Patients
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #223: Omicron Surge Flexibilities
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #224: Update on Direct Care Worker Bonus and Wage Increase Initiative
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #225: Update on Direct Care Worker ICF-IID Wage Increase
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #226: Permanent Changes Made for Public
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #227: Direct Care Worker Initiative Webpage Now Available
- 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 Bulletin Available as of Feb. 4, 2022
- Feb. Pharmacy Newsletter Available
- Save the Dates – February Webinars for Medicaid Providers
Fireside Chat: Medicaid Managed Care Hot Topics
- REVISED AND UPDATED!!!!
- NCHealthConnex: HIEs Overcome Challenges to Value-Based Care
- Upcoming Events
- Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar
- January 28, 2022
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- SAVE THE DATE
Benchmarks’ Public/Private Behavioral Health Forum (PPBH) Face to Face Meeting
Friday, June 10, 2022
10:30 am thru 2:30 pm
Royal Center, Raleigh NC - DHHS:
- HCBS Direct Care Worker Wage Increase Webinar Recording
- Direct Care Worker One-Time Bonus Recording
- Tailored Care Management Updates
- AMH+/CMA Certification Round Two Desk Reviews Completed
- Updated Guidance
- DHHS IDD Stakeholder Workgroup
- NC Integrated Care for Kids (InCK) Pilot Begins
- Patient Risk List Updates for Advanced Medical Homes Tier 3 Not Participating in Integrated Care for Kids (InCK)
- NCTracks:
- Revised and Updated!
- Benchmarks’ has been working with DHHS and others regarding a myriad of issues related to the following updates included in the Special Bulletins below related to DSW One-Time Bonuses, etc. The updates put forth below include the following and more (Please review the updates with your team for more information and clarity):
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #212: Direct Care Worker and Support Staff One-Time Bonus
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #224: Update on Direct Care Worker Bonus and Wage Increase Initiative
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #219: Over-the-Counter Tests for Home Use
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #220: Temporary Rate Increases Extended or Replaced
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #221: Status of Federal Vaccine Mandates
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #222: FDA Approves Remdesivir (Veklury) for Qualifying Pediatric Patients
- New Medicaid Bulletins
- Updates to SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #196 & 215
- Checkwrite for the Week of Presidents Day
- Reminder: Details on Common Error Message on Accreditation Page
- Two New Prior Approval Drug Classes
- New Edits for Durable Medical Equipment, Orthotics and Prosthetics Claims
- Issue with CDSA Claims Being Voided or Recouped
- Enhanced Security for OA Change Requests and EFT Change Requests
- Updates to NCTracks Re-credentialing/Re-verification and Enrollment Due to COVID-19
- Revised and Updated!
- Center for Health Care Strategies:Four Ways to Strengthen the Direct Care Workforce
- Family Focused Treatment Association (FFTA): Call for Proposals
- PHF: Share Your Thoughts: Resources and Tools to Support the Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals
- Upcoming Events
- January 21, 2022:
- Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar with Dave Richard & Karen McLeod: January 21, 2022
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- SAVE THE DATE
Benchmarks’ Public/Private Behavioral Health Forum (PPBH) Face to Face Meeting
Friday, June 10, 2022
10:30 am thru 2:30 pm
Royal Center, Raleigh NC - DHHS:
- ICF/IID Direct Care Worker Wage Increase Webinar Recording
Competitive Integrated Employment - NCDHHS Outlines Priorities to Strengthen the State’s System of Community-Based Services and Supports for People with Disabilities in the 2022-23 Olmstead Plan
- HCBS Stakeholder Workgroup- Quarterly Updates
- County Transitions
- HCBS Database
- HCBS Validation
- DHHS HCBS Validation Look-Behind
- DSS: Second Private Provider Quarterly Meeting
- ICF/IID Direct Care Worker Wage Increase Webinar Recording
- NCTracks:
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #212: Direct Care Worker and Support Staff One-Time Bonus
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #213: Direct Care Worker ICF-IID Wage Increase
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #214: Direct Care Worker HCBS Wage Increase
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #215: NC Medicaid COVID-19 Omicron Surge Flexibilities
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #216: Pharmacies Will Cover Oral Tablets (Paxlovid and Molnupiravir)
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #217: Third Dose of Pfizer-BioN Tech Vaccine for Children Ages 5-11
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #218: Direct Care Worker Eligibility Portal
- New Medicaid Bulletins
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS):
- Guidance for the Interim Final Rule – Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination
- HIPAA Covered Entity Decision Tool
- Bernard Robinson & Company: North Carolina Tax Legislation Update: Taxpayers May Now Deduct PPP Expenses
**Huge THANKS to Tom and Laurie Hibbert for the Heads Up! 🙂 - The National Law Review: Supreme Court Enjoins OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard; Keeps CMS Rule Alive
- NC Child Treatment Program: NC CTP Spring 2022 Learning Collaborative Applications are now open!
- PHI News: 8 Essential Publications on the Direct Care Workforce
- Center on Rural Addiction: New Resource Guide: Contingency Management for Stimulant Use Disorder
- Love 146: PARENTS & CAREGIVERS CAN HELP PREVENT CHILD TRAFFICKING
- Upcoming Events
- January 14, 2022:
- Message from Benchmarks’ President/CEO: Karen McLeod
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- SAVE THE DATE
Benchmarks’ Public/Private Behavioral Health Forum (PPBH) Face to Face Meeting
Friday, June 10, 2022
10:30 am thru 2:30 pm
Royal Center, Raleigh NC - DHHS:
- Important Please Read: Tight Timelines
NC Medicaid Direct Care Worker HCBS and ICF-IDD One-Time Bonus; Wage Increase - NCDHHS Outlines Priorities to Strengthen the State’s System of Community-Based Services and Supports for People with Disabilities in the 2022-23 Olmstead Plan
- New Dashboard Tracks NC Medicaid Managed Care Claim Denials
- Fact Sheets Available for Children and Youth Transitioning to Foster Care
- Advanced Medical Home Provider Manual 2.2 Update
- NCDHHS Publishes Summary Network Adequacy Results for Standard Plans
- Important Please Read: Tight Timelines
- NCTracks:
- New Begin Date on Provider Records with Continuous Enrollment
- Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests for Home Use
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #207: Medical Office Specimen Collection and CPT 99070 & 99072
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #208: Amended Outpatient Billing
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #209: HCPCS Code Q0220: Billing Guidelines for Tixagevimab and Cilgavimab, Copackaged as Evusheld
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #210: NC Medicaid Omicron COVID-19 Surge
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #211: Pfizer-BioNTech Booster Dose: Minimum Age Change; Permission to Administer Five Months Post-Second Dose
- New Medicaid Bulletins
- New Legislation Waives $100 Medicaid and NC Health Choice Provider Enrollment Fee
- 1099s Arriving Soon
- Update to Issue with Claims Retroactively Voided with EOB 06125
- Reminder – Updating North Carolina Medical Board Licenses
- NCTracks Call Center Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
- North Carolina BLUEPRINT
- Reflecting on NC Child Welfare in 2021
- Kody H. Kinsley Takes Oath as NCDHHS Secretary
- NC Practice Standards Implementation Timeline Updated
- 2020 CCPT End of Year Report, State Response Available Online
- NC Child Welfare Services Policy Updates Continue
Upcoming Webinar on IV-E Policy Changes Jan. 25, 26, 27 - Foster Care Candidacy, Claiming, Rates
- Webinars on IV-E Policy Changes: Candidacy Definition and Administrative Claiming for In-Home Services and Foster Care
- Permanency Planning
- CPS and Safety Network Development
- Other Child Welfare Policy Manual Updates
- More from DSS: New Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) Guidance for Children in Foster Care
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): Statement by CMS Administrator, Chiquita Brooks-LaSure: On the U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision on Vaccine Requirements
- Upcoming Events
- December, 22 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- DHHS:
- NC DSS: Foster Care-Cost Model Rates Letter Rate Revised
- NC DSS: Expiring-Waivers of Administrative Rules for Licensing
- NCDHHS Publishes Summary Network Adequacy Results for Standard Plans
- Advanced Medical Home Provider Manual 2.2 Update
- Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) Survey
- Staffing Announcements at DMHDDSUS
- NCTracks:
- NC Medicaid Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) Provider Broker Attestation Form Now Available
- North Carolina BLUEPRINT
- NCDSS Working to Address Child Welfare Staffing Crisis
- Consolidated Appropriations Transition-Aged Youth Payments Update
- NC Child Welfare Surpasses Federal Targets for Foster Care Data
- NEW Course for Resource Parents on Disaster Preparedness and Response
- Community Child Protection Teams (CCPT) Survey Responses Due Jan. 14, 2022
- Submit Diligent Recruitment and Retention Plans
- NCHealthConnex: NC HealthConnex’s Upcoming Outreach to Unconnected N.C. Health Care Providers
- Alliance Health: **Benchmarks’ will host Alliance LME/MCO for a conversation about the Mecklenburg and Orange county transition on January 14, 2022 from 8:30 am to 9:30 am. Provider Updates Regarding the Transition of Mecklenburg and Orange Counties from Cardinal
- Mental Health America (MHA): The State Of Mental Health In America 2022
- Center for Health Care Strategies – Integrating Behavioral Health into Primary Care Through Medicaid Managed Care
- NIH: Research on long COVID-19 and resources to support patients webinar
- Upcoming Events
- December, 17 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinar
- International Day of Persons with Disabilities – December 3
- DHHS:
- Draft Medicaid OTP Bundled Clinical Coverage Policy Stakeholder Meeting Slides and Information
- ASAM Level 3.3 Clinically Managed Population Specific High Intensity Residential Services-Final Stakeholder Work Group: January 5, 2022 at 10:00 am – 11:00 am
- Joint Communication Bulletin #405: JCB 405 Coordinated Response to a Sudden Closure of a Child Residential Care Facility
- Extension to NC Medicaid Managed Care Appeals Deadlines
- Documents from Medical Care Advisory Committee (MCAC): December 10, 2021
- Assertive Engagement Definition for public comment
- Press Release: NCDHHS Announces Funding Opportunity for Substance Use Disorder Services for Individuals with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
- NCTracks:
- NC Medicaid Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) Provider Broker Attestation Form Now Available
- North Carolina BLUEPRINT
- NCDSS Working to Address Child Welfare Staffing Crisis
- Consolidated Appropriations Transition-Aged Youth Payments Update
- NC Child Welfare Surpasses Federal Targets for Foster Care Data
- NEW Course for Resource Parents on Disaster Preparedness and Response
- Community Child Protection Teams (CCPT) Survey Responses Due Jan. 14, 2022
- Submit Diligent Recruitment and Retention Plans
- NCHealthConnex: NC HealthConnex’s Upcoming Outreach to Unconnected N.C. Health Care Providers
- Alliance Healtth: **Benchmarks’ will host Alliance LME/MCO for a conversation about the Mecklenburg and Orange county transition on January 14, 2022 from 8:30 am to 9:30 am. Provider Updates Regarding the Transition of Mecklenburg and Orange Counties from Cardinal
- Mental Health America (MHA): The State Of Mental Health In America 2022
- Center for Heatlh Care Strategies – Integrating Behavioral Health into Primary Care Through Medicaid Managed Care
- NIH: Eesearch on long COVID-19 and resources to support patients webinar
- Upcoming Events
- December 3, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinar
- International Day of Persons with Disabilities – December 3
- DHHS:
- NC Start Webinar
- 1115 Waiver Amendment Public Hearing Added
- Webinar & Live Q/A on NC Medicaid and State-Funded Supported Employment Definition
- IPS Stakeholder Work Group
- NC Medicaid 3136 & 3085 Form Upload Instructions
- NCTracks:
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #206: Coverage for COVID-19 Treatment for NC Medicaid Optional Eligibility Group
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #205: Change in Age for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Booster Vaccine
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #204: Monoclonal Antibodies Age Update for Code Q0245
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #203: NC Medicaid Revising and/or End-Dating All Temporary COVID-19 Rate Increases
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #202: Extension of Hospital at Home Program
- NCTracks Call Center Closed for Christmas and New Year’s Holidays, No Checkwrite on Dec. 28
- New Medicaid Bulletins Available as of Dec. 20, 2021
- Dec. Pharmacy Newsletter Available
- Alliance Health: **Benchmarks’ will host Alliance LME/MCO for a conversation about the Mecklenburg and Orange county transition on January 14, 2022 from 8:30 am to 9:30 am.
New: Provider Updates Regarding the Transition of Mecklenburg and Orange Counties from Cardinal - The Charlotte Observer:
- Garner psychiatric facility to close after negative reports
- WHAT HAPPENS TO PATIENTS?
- NC SPENDING ON TREATMEN
- United States Department of Labor: – STATEMENT FROM THE US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ON THE 6TH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS DISSOLVING THE STAY OF OSHA EMERGENCY TEMPORARY STANDARD ON VACCINATION AND TESTING
- Upcoming Events
- November 19, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinar
- Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar with Karen McLeod, Dave Richard, and Debra Farrington
(Must watch! Great meeting!) - North Carolina Budget Has Passed – And Has Been Signed!!!! – Benchmarks Update
- Installments of the USA Today’s PRTF series
- DHHS:
- DHHS I/DD Stakeholder Workgroup
- DHHS Answer to Benchmarks’ Regarding the Use of Electronic Signatures
- Updated Launch for Behavioral Health I/DD Tailored Plans
-
Webinar-based Public Hearing for NC Medicaid’s 1115 Waiver Amendment
- IPS Clinical Coverage Policy Stakeholder Work Group
- Request: Your Feedback for the NC Medicaid EVV Website
- NCTracks:
- Federal Enrollment Application Fee Increase for Calendar Year 2022
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #198 and #199 Now Available
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #198: Pfizer Vaccine for 12 Years and Older
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #199: Temporary Provider Rate Increases and Clinical Policy Changes Extended
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #200: Correction to Personal Care Services Public Health Emergency Uniform Rates for December 2021
- New Medicaid Bulletins Available
- CQL: Don’t Forget: Disability Professionals Needed For Language Survey!
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIH): Holiday Herbs and Your Health
- Upcoming Events
- November 12, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinar
- Next article in USA Today’s PRTF series: North Carolina ships abused, neglected kids to out-of-state facilities. Some are traumatized again.
- DHHS:
- ASAM 3.3 SUD and TBI CCP Stakeholder Work Group
Slides and Documentation - Re-Release of the Family Support and Education RFA
- Please join us Nov. 17, for a webinar for Community Partners: Updates on NC Medicaid Managed Care, Healthy Opportunities and a public hearing for the 1115 Waiver Amendment
-
Updates on NC Medicaid Managed Care, Healthy Opportunities and a public hearing for the 1115 Waiver Amendment
- Transition-Aged Youth Payments Update
- NCDHHS COVID-19 Training Available
- Trauma-Informed Private Provider Agencies Webinar
- NCDSS Hosts Webinar in Support of National Adoption Month
- ASAM 3.3 SUD and TBI CCP Stakeholder Work Group
- From DSS:
- DCDL_CWS_41_2021_COVID-19 Vaccination Guidance for Children and Youth in the Custody of Local Departments of Social Services
- We are pleased to announce our first Quarterly Private Provider Meeting and invite you to join us on Thursday, November 18, 2021 from 1:00 – 2:30 PM.
- Child Welfare Triple P Learning Collaborative
Webinar Series Continues Dec. 8 - NCDHHS COVID-19 Pediatric Vaccine Webinars
Presentation Dates for Upcoming Webinars in English and Spanish - Open Enrollment for Federal Health Insurance Marketplace
- National Associations Declare Emergency in Children’s Mental Health
- Family Partner Meet and Greet Nov. 17
- NCDSS to Host Webinar in Support of National Adoption Month
- Medicaid Administrative Claiming (MAC) for Adults and Children
- NCTracks:
-
SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #196: Pfizer Pediatric Vaccine Authorized
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #197: Involuntary Disenrollments from PACE
Effective Nov. 1, 2021, involuntary disenrollments from the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly will no longer be suspended for any reason. - New Medicaid Bulletins Available as of Nov. 2, 2021
- November 2021 Provider Training Now Available
-
- National Adoption Month: Help Share Teen Voices This November
- The National Law Review: EEOC Updates COVID Guidance to Help Employers Address Religious Accommodations for Vaccine Requirements
- KFF: From July 2021: How Could $400 Billion New Federal Dollars Change Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services?
- Child Trends: The Science of Scaling-Up High-Quality Early Childhood Programs
- Nominations for ANCOR’s 2022 Direct Support
Providers are encouraged to review this information. All bulletin articles, including those related to COVID-19, are available on DHB’s Medicaid Bulletin webpage. - Cardinal Realignment Report
- Upcoming Events
- November 5, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinar
- Message from Benchmarks’ President/CEO, Karen McLeod, regarding the new vaccines mandates
- Biden-Harris Administration Issues Emergency Regulation Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination for Health Care Workers
- New OSHA and CMS Rules Mean Two-Thirds of All Workers Now Covered by Vaccination Rules
- From the NYT: U.S. Sets Jan. 4 Vaccination Deadline for Big Private Employers
- From MedPage Today: Biden Admin Sets Date for Vaccine Mandates— Rules for facilities taking Medicare/Medicaid dollars, large employers take effect Jan. 4, 2022
- DHHS:
- New Primary Care Provider Change Request Form for Members in Managed Care
- DHHS Announces Updates for County Realignments to New LME/MCOs
- Expanding Opportunities for Competitive Integrated Employment and Other Meaningful Day Options for Individuals with Disabilities
- NC Practice Standard Highlight: Communicating
- Encourage Eligible Families to Apply for Child Tax Credit
- NCDSS Recruiting Family Partners for State Council
- Transition-Aged Youth Payments Update
- NCDHHS COVID-19 Training Available
- Trauma-Informed Private Provider Agencies Webinar
- NCDSS Hosts Webinar in Support of National Adoption Month
- NCTracks:
-
SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #192 and #193 Now AvailableThe NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published new Medicaid Bulletin articles pertaining to COVID-19
- New Medicaid Bulletin Available as of Oct. 22, 2021
- New Medicaid Bulletins Available as of Nov. 2, 2021
- November 2021 Provider Training Now Available
-
- National Adoption Month: Help Share Teen Voices This November
- The National Law Review: EEOC Updates COVID Guidance to Help Employers Address Religious Accommodations for Vaccine Requirements
- KFF: From July 2021: How Could $400 Billion New Federal Dollars Change Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services?
- Child Trends: The Science of Scaling-Up High-Quality Early Childhood Programs
- Nominations for ANCOR’s 2022 Direct Support
Professional of the Year Awards Are Due November 30! - Upcoming Events
- October 15, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinar
- DHHS:
- Extension of Temporary Suspension of Prior Authorization for Post-Acute Placements
- PCCM Agreement Advance Notice
- NCI Interviewer Advertisement
- NCDHHS Releases Draft Olmstead Plan, Open for Public Comment Through Oct. 27
- Feedback for State Funded Service Definitions (Residential Supports and Supported Living Periodic)
- Supported Living Periodic – New definition
- Residential Services – Amended definitionAmended definition
- HCBS Stakeholder Updates
- NCTracks:
- New CCNC Primary Care Case Management Agreement
- New Medicaid Bulletin Available as of Oct. 12, 2021
- From 10 to 25 is a new, collaborative storytelling card game designed to build understanding about adolescence and what we can all do to support adolescent development.
- PHI News:
- Few COVID-Displaced Workers Re-Entered Direct Care
- Partnering with States to Improve Direct Care Jobs
- Our New Annual Data on the Direct Care Workforce
- How Should States Invest in Direct Care Workers?
- AHRQ: Malnutrition in Hospitalized Adults
- NIAAA Spectrum: NEWS FROM THE FIELD: Scientists Discover Brain Cells That Compete to Sustain or Suppress Traumatic Memories
- National Institute of Mental Health:
- Large Genomic Study Sheds New Light on Bipolar Disorder
- Brain activity patterns after trauma may predict long-term mental health
- NIHCM:
- Mental Health: Social Media & the Workplace
- Health Care Workers & Caregivers
- Upcoming Events
- October 8, 2021:
- Benchmarks’ Child Welfare Webinar: Associated Documents Include:
- Announcements From Kody KinsleyCopy of Powerpoint Presentation
- Definition of Child with High Acuity Needs
- Administrative Flexibility Policy
- Needs related to Administrative Flexibilities
- Senate Bill 693: Expedite Child Safety & Permanency
- House Bill 769: Foster Parents Bill of Rights
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinar
- DHHS:
- Organizational Provider Records Without the Required Individual Provider Affiliation Risk Suspension/Termination
- Tailored Care Management Technical Advisory Group Application Period Open
- Stakeholder Engagement for High Intensity Residential Services for SUD and TBI – October 13th
- State Developmental Centers’ Stakeholder Survey
- NCTracks:
- New Medicaid Bulletins Available as of Oct. 5, 2021
The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published new Medicaid Bulletin article
- New Medicaid Bulletins Available as of Oct. 5, 2021
- North Carolina BLUEPRINT: Key Takeaways
- PLEASE SHARE: Public Notice to Comment on Proposed Social Services Block Grant Plan
- Children’s Home Society: Support & Training for Kinship Caregivers Online
- NC Commission of Indian Affairs 2021 Indian Child Welfare Gathering – Thursdays in October
- REMINDER: County Family Reunification Annual Plans due Nov. 1, 2021
- NC Commission of Indian Affairs 2021 Indian Child Welfare Gathering
Join the Commission Thursdays in October to discuss Indian Child Welfare - Submit Family Reunification Annual Plans by Nov. 1 Deadline
- Direct Care Workforce Updates
- npr: Nursing Shortage
MONA DOUGANI, QUEENS UNIVERSITY NEWS SERVICE, 10/02/21 - USA Today: Anthem, UnitedHealthcare, other major insurers are running billions behind in payments to hospitals, doctors
- Upcoming Events
- Benchmarks’ Child Welfare Webinar: Associated Documents Include:
- October 1, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- DHHS:
- Announcements From Kody Kinsley
- Quarterly Medical Care Advisory Committee (MCAC) Meeting Handouts
- LME-MCO Joint Communication Bulletin # J402
Amendment to Joint Communication Bulletins #J301 and #J328 – Submission and Monitoring of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) In-At Risk Checklist
- NCTracks:
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #179: Temporary Provider Rate Increases and Clinical Policy Changes Extended
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #180: 9th Amendment to the Public Readiness & Emergency Preparedness Act
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #180: 9th Amendment to the Public Readiness & Emergency Preparedness Act
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #182: Temporary Availability of the Hospital at Home Program
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #183: M0201 COVID-19 Vaccine Home Administration
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #184: Update on Vaccination Counseling Code Reimbursement
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #185: Casirivimab and Imdevimab, for Intravenous Infusion or Subcutaneous Injection
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #186: Booster Dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
- 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
- More information is available in SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #188: Extension of Temporary Suspension of Prior Authorization for Post-Acute Placements.
- Providers are encouraged to review this information. All bulletin articles, including those related to COVID-19, are available on DHB’s Medicaid Bulletin webpage.
- The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published new Medicaid Bulletin articles
- National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) Reminder
- Enhanced Source Verification for Enrollment and Re-verification
- Reminder – Updating North Carolina Medical Board Licenses
- Extension of School Immunization and Health Assessment Requirements
- Upcoming NC Medicaid Managed Care Provider Webinars
- NCHEALTHCONNEX: NC HIEA Seeking Focus Group Participants to Inform Legislative Recommendations
- MLDR: A Professional’s Guide to Licensure
A license information hub for Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Psychologists and Social Workers - Community Care of North Carolina: CCNC’s Foster Care Program Slide Presentation
- ANCOR: Nominations for ANCOR’s 2022 Direct Support Professional of the Year Awards Are Now Open!
- BHM Healthcare Solutions: Atnea, Anthem, UnitedHealthcare in the News
- disabilityscoop: Survey Finds Disability Service Providers On The Brink
- The Washington Post: The Uncertain Prognosis For Telehealth
Patients and doctors who embraced telehealth during the pandemic fear it will become harder to access - Center for Connected HealthPolicy: New HHS-OIG on Telehealth Challenges and Oversight in State Medicaid Programs
- Upcoming Events
- September 17, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- DHHS:
- NC Medicaid Managed Care Provider Update
- Prepaid Health Plan Interest and Penalties for Provider Claims
- Latest Electronic Visit Verification Q & A Documents
- Updated Modules for IVC
- Slide deck and recording now available from Sept. 9, 2021, Community Partners Webinar
- Child Welfare Practice Guidance during COVID-19 Crisis- COVID-19 Vaccination Guidance for Children and Youth in the Custody of Local Departments of Social Services
- Adoption Promotion Program Fund Information
- NCTracks:
- Prior Approval for Stromectol (ivermectin) Tablets
- Sept. Pharmacy Newsletter Now Available
- Virtual Statewide Primary Care Quality Forum
- New Medicaid Bulletins Available as of Sept. 15
- How to Prevent Common Errors When Completing Education Verification
- Cardinal Innovations HealthCare: Cardinal Realignment Report
- NC HealthConnex:
- NC HIEA Seeking Focus Group Participants to Inform Legislative Recommendations
- NC HealthConnex’s Event Notification Service NC*NOTIFY to Release Version 4.5 Enhancements
- Athena Single Sign-on to NC HealthConnex Coming Soon
- HIE Act Changes Extend Deadline; Providers Encouraged to Continue Onboarding Due to Large Onboarding Queue
- Why You Should Connect Now
- EastPointe: DHHS Approves Warren County Realignment with Eastpointe
- disabilityscoop: Survey Finds Disability Service Providers On The Brink
- BHM Healthcare Solutions: Atnea, Anthem, UnitedHealthcare in the News
- disabilityscoop: Disability Service Providers Shuttering In Many States
- Center on Rural Addiction: Peer Recovery as an Evidence-Based Practice: From Science to Impact
- National Council forMental Wellbeing: LAST CALL! WORKFORCE CRISIS SURVEY:
ATTENTION CEOS/EXECUTIVES - NIHCM: Disabilities and Long-COVID
- Upcoming Events
- September 9, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- DHHS:
- Interim Process for Submitting Prior Authorization Requests for Beneficiaries Disenrolled to NC Medicaid Direct
- NC DSS: Notification of Kinship Webinar
- NC Blueprint: Child Welfare Workforce Development Month, Event
- NCTracks:
- New SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #178 Now Available
- Upcoming NC Medicaid Managed Care WebinarsNew Medicaid Bulletins Available as of Sept. 8
- NIH:
- Interventional Treatments for Acute and Chronic Pain: Systematic Review
- Recognizing RSV: More Than the Common Cold
- CWLA: CWLA Celebrates Kinship Care Month
- AHRQ: Interventional Treatments for Acute and Chronic Pain: Systematic Review
- ACL: Get Ready for National Preparedness Month
- Rural Health Research Gateway: Changes in Socioeconomic Mix and Health Outcomes in Rural Counties with Hospital Closures, 2005-2018
- disabilityscoop: CDC Rolls Out New COVID-19 Resources For People With IDD
- PHI: PHI Releases New Data on the Direct Care Workforce
- Daily Yonder: Nearly 80% of Rural Farming-Dependent Counties Lost Population in Last Decade
Counties with recreation economies, on the other hand, were more likely to gain population - NACBH:
- Improving the Use of Psychotropic Medication with Youth in Residential Treatment Facilities
- CMS Issues Informational Bulletin on Coverage of Medical Transportation
- Child Welfare Interventions: Clearinghouse Ratings
- Upcoming Events
- September 3, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- Celebration:
Governor signs bipartisan child welfare overhaul bill - From Rep. David Willis’ Newsletter
House Bill 769
Foster Parents Bill of Rights
104-0 Vote - DHHS:
- NCDHHS RFA: Family and Youth Advocacy and Support Organization
- Guidance on Conflict-Free Care Management for Tailored Plan Members
- Claims Denied – Taxonomy Codes Missing, Incorrect, or Inactive
- NC Medicaid: Temporary Provisions for COVID-19 Surge: Post-Acute PA Exceptions and Hospital at Home Program
- Follow-up from Aug 25 EVV webinar
- Reminder: Comment Period for Person-Centered Planning-Open thru September 30
- Decision-Making Supports Options in NC Document Now Available!
- Strategic Housing Plan Survey
- NCTracks:
- Reminder: NCTracks Unable to Accept Secure or Encrypted Emails
- New Medicaid Bulletins Available as of Aug. 30, 2021
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #177: Casirivimab and Imdevimab Approved for Emergency Use
- New Medicaid Bulletins Available as of Aug. 31, 2021
- NCTracks Call Center & Checkwrite Information for Labor Day Holiday
- September 2021 Provider Training Now Available
- NC HealthConnex:
- August Update
- In Case You Missed It: CSRS Teletown Hall Covers the Mandatory Use in Effect for Prescribers Under the STOP Act
- Are You Leveraging NC HealthConnex to Improve Health Care Quality? Resources Available to Assist in Onboarding to NC HealthConnex
- Cardinal Innovations HealthCare: Realignment Report September 1, 2021
- NIH: NIMH Expert Dr. Krystal Lewis Discusses Coping with the Pandemic and Re-Entry Stress
- ACL: Get Ready for National Preparedness Month
- CQL: Report: CIE
- Child and Family Evidence-Based Practice Consortium: Deadline for Abstract Submissions Extended
- Alcohol Research: Neuroscience Offers Clues for Better Treatment of AUD and Anxiety, Depression
- The National Law Review: OSHA Revises its COVID-19 Guidance to Incorporate the CDC’s Latest Recommendations
- Upcoming Events
- August 20, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- DHHS:
- Joint NC DMHDDSAS and DHB Update for NC Providers August 5th
- DHHS Update Call for BH/IDD Consumers, Family Members and Community Stakeholders
- From DSS: Resource Parent Curriculum (RPC) Staff Facilitator Opportunity
- Expedited Hardship Advances for Managed Care Providers
- Updated Guidance for Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
- Extension of Out of Network Provisions
- LME-MCO Joint Communication Bulletin #J399: American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Training Resources
- LME-MCO Joint Communication Bulletin #J400: To Reiterate Olmstead Obligations and Address Department’s Current Initiatives and Planning
- Current planning at NC DHHS
- NCTracks:
- Reminder: Identification Required by NCTracks Contact Center
- New Medicaid Bulletin Articles Available
- Ambulatory Health Care Facilities Taxonomies Now Require NC Local Health Department Accreditation
- Office of Rural Health: Important Time Sensitive Message to Medicaid Providers Regarding Your Connection to NC HealthConnex
- KFF: State Medicaid Home & Community-Based Services (HCBS) Programs Respond to COVID-19: Early Findings from a 50-State Survey
Key Takeaways - NIHCMC: Webinar Recording – Improving Health Care Outcomes & Supporting Providers in Value-Based Care
- Frameworks: New Report from our partners at the National Scientific Council on Adolescence
- The National Law Review:
- U.S. Department of Justice Gives Go-Ahead to Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccines in the Workplace
- When Do You Need to Use the System?
- NIH:
- The Amazing Brain: A Sharper Image of the Pyramidal Tract
- NIH scientists develop faster COVID-19 test
- Upcoming Events
- August 13, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- NC House Budget
- SHARED HOUSE AND SENATE ITEMS THAT WILL BE INCLUDED IN FINAL BUDGET
- Benchmarks’ Legislative Update
- Senators Burr, Feinstein Introduce Legislation to Ensure Medicaid Access for Vulnerable Foster Care Children
- DHHS:
- Tailored Care Management Updates
Tailored Care Management Update: AMH+/CMA Certification Round One Desk Reviews Completed - Potential Clinically Integrated Network or Other Partners Statement of Interest
- DSS: Certification Update: GPS Leader to TIPS Leader
- DSS: STAKEHOLDER UPDATE
Updates to be aware of - PRESS RELEASES since the last update
- NEW resources since the last update
- Resources in Spanish: Recursos en Español
- UPDATED guidance since the last update
- Tailored Care Management Updates
- NCTracks:
- Resident Training Licenses Must be Updated Manually
- NCCDD: Participate in North Carolina’s Housing Plan Focus Groups!
- NC HealthConnex: Teletown Hall Participant Survey
- AHRQ: People Purchasing Antidepressents – Access more data on this topic in the associated statistical brief, plus additional AHRQ data infographics
- CDC: ADDRESSING NEW CDC OVERDOSE DEATH NUMBERS
- NIH: Understanding Suicide Risk Among Children and Pre-teens: A Synthesis Workshop
- NIH: 25×5: Decreasing Documentation Burden on U.S. Clinicians
- Center on Rural Addiction: Telehealth for Substance Use Disorders and Considerations for Rural Regions
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: “College Drinking: Changing the Culture” website
- The Charlotte Observer: NC approves key step for Mecklenburg to drop Cardinal, add new managed care provider
- Upcoming Events
- August 6, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- Foster Family Alliance: SUPER CUTE T-SHIRTS Available
- DHHS:
- Information about a month-long #ABLEtoSave Campaign happening in August
- NC Medicaid is hosting an EVV Stakeholder Meeting and Technical Support Webinar on Aug. 25, 2021
- Joint Communication Bulletin #398: Resuming Individual Placement and Support (IPS) and Tool for Measurement of Assertive Community Treatment (TMACT) Fidelity Evaluations
- Prior Authorizations Covered When a Beneficiary Transitions to NC Medicaid Direct
- Confirming Medicaid Coverage for Beneficiaries
- NCTracks:
- Medicaid Bulletin Reminder: Expedited Hardship Advances for CDSA-Contracted Providers at Risk of Not Meeting Financial Obligations and New Bulletins Available
- New Medicaid Bulletin Articles Available as of August 3
- NCTracks Call Center & Checkwrite Information for Labor Day Holiday
- August 2021 Provider Training Now Available
- Office of Rural Health: HOPE Program now accepting tenant referrals from landlords, increasing assistance
More than $305.5 million in rent and utility assistance already awarded to help NC families - CCHP: CCHP Releases Telehealth & Medicaid Webinar Series Report; Registration for Fall Webinar Series Now Open!
- NIH: The Amazing Brain: Toward a Wiring Diagram of Connectivity
- Upcoming Events
- August 2, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- DHHS:
- Joint NC DMHDDSAS and DHB Update for NC Providers August 5th
- UPDATE: NC Medicaid Potential Tailored Plan Members Who Selected Standard Plans
- Medicaid Managed Care Disenrollment Form
- COVID-19 Updated Guidance
- Guidance for Providers Experiencing Payment Issues
- NC Medicaid Managed Care Quality Strategy Updated
- Non-Emergency Medical Transportation for NC Managed Care
- NCTracks:
- Reminders: Update to NCTracks NPI Authorization Code Request Process & Details on Common Error Message on Accreditation Page
- National Core Indicators™ (NCI) Staff Stability Survey, SPECIAL COVID-19 Bulletins #17
- New SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #170 and #171 Now Available
- New Medicaid Bulletin Articles Available as of July 27
- Office of Rural Health:FORE Releases Request for Proposals Focused on Engaging and Empowering Vulnerable Families and Communities to Prevent Opioid Use Disorder
- Frameworks: New: Resource: Reframing Transition Age Foster Youth: A Communications Toolkit
- NC Child Treatment Program: Apply by 8/6 for NC CTP Learning Collaborative in CPP
- The Imprint: Government Seeks Comment on Possible Changes to Family First Handbook
- NC HEALTHCONNEX:
- Important Notice for North Carolina Prescribers: STOP Act is Fully Enacted
- When Do You Need to Use the System?
- Your Questions Answered: NC HealthConnex June and October Deadlines Extended to January 2023
- Additional Changes and Additions to the HIE Act Per NSCL 2021-26 (HB395 bill analysis)
- Need Training?
- NC*Notify Service Continues to Expand and Online Enrollment Open Now!
- Upcoming Events
- July 16, 2021:
- DHHS:
- Tailored Care Management Data Updates
- Data Strategy Questions and Answers
- Care Management Data System Guidance
- NC Medicaid Managed Care Update Including Provider Claims & Prior Authorization Fact Sheets
- Updated – Hospital Procedure Continuity at NC Medicaid Managed Care Launch
- CORRECTED-Joint Communication Bulletin J397 – Electronic Visit Verification Guidance Document
- NC Spending Plan for American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
- Health Equity Payment Initiative Survey Reminder
- HCBS Stakeholder Updates
- NC DSS: Temporary coverage for agencies assigned to Heather West
- NCTracks:
- Update to NCTracks NPI Authorization Code Request Process
- Adding Billing, Rendering and Attending Provider Taxonomy to Professional and Institutional EDI Claims
- Reminder: Health Equity Payment – Survey Deadline Friday
- New SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #172 Now Available
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #172: Legislation Reinstates Previously Waived Requirements
- New Medicaid Bulletin Articles Available as of July 15, 2021
- New SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #170 and #171 Now Available
- New Medicaid Bulletin Articles Available as of July 12, 2021
- Center of Rural Addiction: Motivational Interviewing: Evidence-Based Strategies and Principles for Guiding Conversations With Your Patients
- NIHCM: Webinar Recording – People with Disabilities, Health Equity & the Pandemic
- Anchor: The 2021 Relias-ANCOR DSP Survey Report: Key Findings on DSP Satisfaction, Engagement, and Retention
- Child Welfare Information Gateway: NEW on the Podcast: “Foster Care Alumni – Making Lived Experience Matter, Part 2″
- CMS: CMS Released an Informational Bulletin on Medicaid Coverage of Certain Medical Transportation under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021
- Mark Your Calendars! The Blue Angels are coming to town! From WNCT: 2021 MCAS Cherry Point Air Show will happen Sept. 25-26
- Upcoming Events
- DHHS:
- July 23, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- DHHS:
- Non-Emergency Medical Transportation for NC Managed Care
- DHHS Update Call for BH/IDD Consumers, Family Members and Community Stakeholders July 26
- NCTracks:
- The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published new Medicaid Bulletin articles
- July Pharmacy Newsletter Now Available
- New Explanation of Benefits for Managed Care
- NC DOJ: TREC ARP Technical Session Materials
- Frameworks: Repost: In Case You Missed It
Reframing Childhood Adversity: Promoting Upstream Approaches - NCCDD: Nominate A Deserving Advocate for the 2021 Advocacy and Leadership Awards by July 30!
- HHAexchange: EVV Readiness Checklist!
- Center for Connected Health Policy: 2022 Proposed Physician Fee Schedule…I Want My MTV (Mental Telehealth Visits)!
- CMS: Cognitive Assessment: Resources for Providers
- NADSP: Remembering Dave Hingsburger
- NC Health News: The demise of Cardinal Innovations: How a state-mandated mental health organization failed in slow motion.
- NIH: Relaxation Techniques
- #RuralDisability:
- Geographic Analysis to Assess CIL Services
- Transitory Disability – Best Paper DiscussionABLE Accounts and Disability in Rural
- ADA Anniversary Site
- Upcoming Events
- July 16, 2021:
- DHHS:
- Tailored Care Management Data Updates
- Data Strategy Questions and Answers
- Care Management Data System Guidance
- NC Medicaid Managed Care Update Including Provider Claims & Prior Authorization Fact Sheets
- Updated – Hospital Procedure Continuity at NC Medicaid Managed Care Launch
- CORRECTED-Joint Communication Bulletin J397 – Electronic Visit Verification Guidance Document
- NC Spending Plan for American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
- Health Equity Payment Initiative Survey Reminder
- HCBS Stakeholder Updates
- NC DSS: Temporary coverage for agencies assigned to Heather West
- NCTracks:
- Update to NCTracks NPI Authorization Code Request Process
- Adding Billing, Rendering and Attending Provider Taxonomy to Professional and Institutional EDI Claims
- Reminder: Health Equity Payment – Survey Deadline Friday
- New SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #172 Now Available
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #172: Legislation Reinstates Previously Waived Requirements
- New Medicaid Bulletin Articles Available as of July 15, 2021
- New SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #170 and #171 Now Available
- New Medicaid Bulletin Articles Available as of July 12, 2021
- Center of Rural Addiction: Motivational Interviewing: Evidence-Based Strategies and Principles for Guiding Conversations With Your Patients
- NIHCM: Webinar Recording – People with Disabilities, Health Equity & the Pandemic
- Anchor: The 2021 Relias-ANCOR DSP Survey Report: Key Findings on DSP Satisfaction, Engagement, and Retention
- Child Welfare Information Gateway: NEW on the Podcast: “Foster Care Alumni – Making Lived Experience Matter, Part 2″
- CMS: CMS Released an Informational Bulletin on Medicaid Coverage of Certain Medical Transportation under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021
- Mark Your Calendars! The Blue Angels are coming to town! From WNCT: 2021 MCAS Cherry Point Air Show will happen Sept. 25-26
- Upcoming Events
- DHHS:
- July 6, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- Benchmarks’ Legislative Update is Highlighted in Video and in Written Budget Summary
- DHHS:
- Managed Care Launch
- Medicaid Managed Care Webinar Survey
- Training Updates for Foster Home Licensing and Adoption
- Please join us July 8, for a webinar for Community Partners: NC Medicaid’s Transition to Managed Care “After Launch”
- Hospital Procedure Continuity at NC Medicaid Managed Care Launch
- NCTracks:
- Reminders: Work History Gap Explanation Required With Initial and Re-enrollment Applications
- New Bulletins
- Update to Fingerprinting Timeline Requirement
- Office Administrator Inbox/Email Notification Changes – Expired License Notice
- July 2021 Provider Training Now Available
- FFTA: FFTA 35th Annual Conference on Treatment Family Care (virtual) August 4-5, 2021
- National Institute on Alchohol Abuse and Alcoholism: Alcohol Use Disorder: The Role of Medication in Recovery
- The National Law Review: Extending the Flex: I-9 Rule on Remote Employees Allowed to Continue
- IRS:
- New online tools to help families manage Child Tax Credit payments
- Help Spread the word
- New FAQs available to aid families and small businesses under the American Rescue Plan
- Guidance available on tax credits for continuation health coverage
- 2022 adjustments for HSAs & excepted-benefit HRAs
- Resources for small businesses with assets under $10 million
- A Closer Look – Employment tax initiatives: helping small business and self-employed taxpayers
- Upcoming Events
- June 25, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- Benchmarks’ Legislative Update is Highlighted in Video and in Written Budget Summary
- DHHS:
- Health Equity Payment Initiative Survey for Medicaid Providers
- Reminder – Input Needed for NC Medicaid’s Home & Community Based Services Improvements
- DHHS Update Call for BH/IDD Consumers, Family Members and Community Stakeholders June 28th
- SL 2&3 Stakeholders RE: June 18th Follow-Up
- Joint Communication Bulletin #396: State-Funded Day Supports Service
- NCTracks:
- Independence Day Holiday Information, New Medicaid Bulletins
- Reminder: No Checkwrite for the Week of June 29, 2021
- A Message from NCTracks on Behalf of NC Medicaid
White House Virtual Conversation with NC Providers on June 29 - SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #167: NC Medicaid No Longer Accepting COVID-19 Response Facility Designation Requests
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #168: Vaccination Counseling Code Reimbursement
- New Medicaid Bulletins Available as of June 22, 2021
- NC Department of Justice: TREC ARP Technical Sessions – July 13, 15, and 20
- Administration for Children & Families: Adoption Excellence Awards: Nominations Deadline Extended!
- Children’s Bureau: Supporting Youth in Foster Care Through the Pandemic
I’m a child welfare professional. What can I do? - SAMHSA: Telehealth for the Treatment of Serious Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders-Report
- NIH: Research Highlight: Mapping ‘Imbalance’ in Brain Anatomy Across the Lifespan
- NIHCM: Research Highlight: Mapping ‘Imbalance’ in Brain Anatomy Across the Lifespan
- NC Child: Apply Now for the NC CTP 2021-2023 Learning Collaborative in Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)
- Childwelfare Information Gateway:
- Kids Count Data Book 2021: State Trends in Child Well-Being. Annie E. Casey Foundation. 2021
- HOW KIDS AND FAMILIES HAVE WEATHERED THE PANDEMIC
- RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RECOVERY
- STATE RANKINGS
- RACIAL INEQUITIES IN CHILD WELL-BEING
- Resources for small businesses with assets under $10 million
- A Closer Look – Employment tax initiatives: helping small business and self-employed taxpayers
- The National Law Review
- OSHA Healthcare Employer Safety Rule Takes Effect, Compliance Deadlines Begin
- Behavioral Health – Provider Considerations for the Evolution to Value-Based Care
- Upcoming Events
- June 18, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- Benchmarks’ Legislative Update
- DHHS:
- ACTION ALERT – Input Needed for NC Medicaid’s Home & Community Based Services (HCBS) Improvements in Response to COVID-19
- How can stakeholders impact how HCBS is improved by this funding?
- IRIS Unavailable- Tuesday June 29th at 5pm-Thursday July 1st at 8am
- Staff Stability Survey
- DSS: Dear Director Letter: Policy Update: Monitoring of Psychotropic and Other High-Risk Medications. Form Change: DSS 5295 Monthly Permanency Planning Contact Record Instructions for Counties Using NC FAST
- NCTracks:
- Independence Day Holiday Information, New Medicaid Bulletins and June Pharmacy Newsletter Available
- Reminder: Call Center and Checkwrite Schedule for Memorial Day Holiday
- North Carolina Health News: Proposed law could make life easier for North Carolina’s foster parents
- Carolina Public Press Series Regarding NC Child Protective Services
- City Journal Op-Ed: Fixing Foster Care: Fixing foster care: The lack of beds in child-care facilities is a problem of our own making but one with an easy solution
- HRSA: New Loan Repayment Program Expands Eligible Substance Use Disorder Disciplines, Facility Types
- NAMD: Announcing NAMD Children’s Health Report
- Recent Shifts In The Independent Contractor v. Employee Classification Rules
- June 4, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- Benchmarks’ Legislative Update
- DHHS:
- Vaya Health and Cardinal Innovations Consolidation
- Electronic Visit Verification Guidance Document
- Specialized Foster Care Plan Webinar
- NC Innovations Clinical Coverage 8P is currently posted for public comment through July 2, 2021
- NC Medicaid to Sunset CARES Act Funding for Nursing Facility Staff COVID-19 Testing
- NCTracks:
- Reminder: Functionality to Display Future Eligibility Status Added to NCTracks
- New Medicaid Bulletin Available
- Help More North Carolinians Receive $335 in COVID-19 Relief
- Upcoming Events
- May 28, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- DHHS:
- Data on Medicaid and NC Health Choice Beneficiary Eligibility for Behavioral Health I/DD Tailored Plans and Tailored Care Management
- DHHS Announces Three Regions for Medicaid Healthy Opportunities Pilots
- REMINDER: Mental Health/IDD Training Needs Assessment…..CLOSES JUNE 14TH
- Joint Communication Bulletin #J394: Revision to Joint Communication Bulletin #J345 – Clarification Regarding Expansion of High Fidelity Wraparound Teams and Provider Expectations
- Dear Director Letter: COVID-19 Vaccination Guidance for Local Departments of Social Services 5-25-2021
- NCTracks:
- Reminder: Call Center Closed for Memorial Day
- New Medicaid Bulletins Available as of May 27, 2021
- NCCDD: NCCDD Releases New RFA for NC’s Registry of Unmet Needs (RUN)
- Upcoming Events
- May 21, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- Benchmarks’ Legislative Report
- DHHS:
- Tailored Care Management Updates
- Updated Guidance
- Historically Underutilized Provider Supplement Added
- Non-Binding Statement of Interest for Potential Clinically Integrated Networks and Other Partners Added
- Dear Director Letter: May 2021 is National Foster Care Month
- Medicaid Communication Access Pilot Initiative
- NCTracks:
- New Medicaid Bulletins Available
- Upcoming Medicaid Managed Care Webinars
- Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Available for Younger Teens!
- Forsyth County: Approval for Final Disengagement from Cardinal- Forsyth County Commissioner
- Rural Health Research Gateway: Preferences for Long-Term Care Arrangements Among Rural and Urban Older Adults
- The National Law Review: Return to Work Resistance: Navigating the ADA Interactive Process and COVID-19 Disability Accommodation Requests
- Upcoming Events
- May 14, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- Press Conference Alert
- DHHS:
- Mental Health/IDD Training Needs Assessment
- Updated: NC Medicaid Managed Care Fact Sheet: “Do I Need to Choose a Health Plan?”
- Olmstead Planning Process
- Follow-Up: MFP Lunch & Learn Webinar (May 10, 2021)
- Advanced Medical Home Tier 3 Glidepath Attestation Payment Reconsideration Process and Attestation Reminder
- Foster Care: PRESS RELEASE : Covid-19 Support
- NCTracks:
- May 10, 2021 COVID-19 Stakeholder Update
- PRESS RELEASES since the last update
- Reminder: Call Center and Checkwrite Schedule for Memorial Day Holiday
- NCTracks Unable to Accept Secure or Encrypted Emails
- Providers Must Enter Only Highest Level of Education on Applications
- Call Center and Checkwrite Schedule for Memorial Day Holiday
- New Medicaid Bulletins Available as of May 11, 2021
- June 2021 Provider Training Now Available
- NCCDD: Take the First In Families Survey before it ends on Monday, May 17 at 11:59 PM!
- Office of Rural Health: FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program
- medisked: Webinar Recording & Policy Analysis Paper
- Child Trends: State-level data for understanding child welfare in the United States through 2019
- PHI News:
- In Direct Care Work, High Passion but Low Pay
- Temporary Nurse Aides Need Stability and Support
- Upcoming Events
- May 7, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- Press Conference Alert
- Benchmarks’ Legislative Report
- DHHS:
- Invitation to Attend Specialized Foster Care Plan Workgroup – Listen-Only
- COVID and Trauma-Informed Care
- Changes to Provider Verification Process in NCTracks Begin May 9, 2021
- EVV – CAP/C and CAP/DA Paid Live-In Caregivers Survey
- Only one response is needed for the total count of paid live-in caregivers hired/supported by your agency.
- State-Funded Community Living and Support Service Definition FAQ
- Long-Term Care Vaccine and Visitation Slidedeck
- Managed Care Fact Sheet: “Do I Need to Choose a Health Plan?”
- Want to learn more about Medicaid Managed Care? We’ll come to you.
- COVID-19 Stakeholder Updates
- Medicaid Communication Access Pilot Initiative
- NCTracks:
- New Medicaid Bulletins Available
- May Pharmacy Newsletter Now Available
- NCTracks Unable to Accept Secure or Encrypted Emails
- Providers Must Enter Only Highest Level of Education on Applications
- Call Center and Checkwrite Schedule for Memorial Day Holiday
- NC Medicaid Managed Care Fact Sheet: “Do I Need to Choose a Health Plan?”
- Administration For Children & Families: Technical Assistance & More for Potential Providers Interested in Servicing Unaccompanied Minors
- AAHD: Vaccine Hesitancy Survey Among Adults with Disabilities – Reports now Available
- Community Catalyst: What Patients Want from Substance Use Treatment
- April 23, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- Benchmarks’ Legislative Bill Report for April 23, 2021
- DHHS:
- Healthy Opportunities Screening and Referral Claims Issue Updates
- Providers with Denials for HOSAR Claims due to Edit 02088 May Now Resubmit Claims
- Place of Service (POS) Indicator Codes Updated
- COVID-19 Stakeholder Update
PRESS RELEASES since the last update - From the Governor’s Office:
North Carolina’s COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Opens for All Adults on April 7 - NEW resources since the last update
- Tailored Care Management Certification Desk Review Guide and Scoring Tool Available
- NC’s 1115 SUD Waiver Slidedeck and Recap
- USDA Grant Opportunity for Rural Telehealth
- NCTracks:
- Public Health Alert: Increase in Disseminated Gonococcal Infections
- Reminder: Virtual Office Hours
- New Medicaid Bulletins Available as of April 20, 2021
- Preparation for Upcoming Changes in NCTracks
- Correction to 835 Transactions
- Child Mind Institute:
- The Power of Positive Attention
How to use it (instead of negative attention) to change behavior. - How to Help Children Calm Down
Techniques for helping kids handle powerful emotions. - Choosing a Parent Training Program
- The Power of Positive Attention
- North Carolina AHEC: Health Plan Virtual Meet & Greets
- Child Trends: New database examines how state policies might influence reported rates of child abuse and neglect
- PHI News: Will COVID-19 Change Direct Care Employment?
- FEMA: COVID-19 Funeral Assistance
- The National Law Review:
- EEOC Will Issue Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccine Incentive Programs Offered by Employers
How to use it (instead of negative attention) to change behavior. - Help! We Think Our Employee Is Lying About COVID-19 Exposure or Symptoms
- EEOC Will Issue Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccine Incentive Programs Offered by Employers
- IRS:
- IRS provides guidance for employers claiming the Employee Retention Credit for first two quarters of 2021
- Free workshop helps small business owners understand and meet tax obligations
- The IRS to recalculate taxes on unemployment benefits; refunds to start in May
- IRS, Treasury disburse more Economic Impact Payments under the American Rescue Plan; Non-filer Social Security and other federal beneficiary stimulus payments
- IRS urges employers to take advantage of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit
- Taxable Fringe Benefit Essentials for Employers Webinar
- IRS extends additional tax deadlines for individuals to May 17
- Face masks and other COVID-19 personal protective equipment to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are tax deductible
- Upcoming Events
- April 16, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- DHHS:
- DHHS Organizational Structure Update
From Kody Kinsley - Letter from Secretary Mandy Cohen
- Provider Data and Provider Verification Updates
- Implementation of Rate Floors for Facility-Based Crisis and Mobile Crisis Services
- Choose Your Path to Better Health Ad Campaign
- Update on Johnson & Johnson Vaccine
- LME-MCO Joint Communication Bulletin #J392
Extension of the Deadline for Meeting Substantial Compliance with the Settlement Agreement Has been Extended Due to COVID-19 - HCBS Workgroup Update
- DHHS Organizational Structure Update
- NCTracks:
- COVID-19 Vaccination Update, System Modifications Impacting Verification, New Medicaid Bulletins and Pharmacy Newsletter
- COVID-19 Vaccination Update
- System Modifications Impact Changes to Provider Verification Process
- April Medicaid Bulletin Now Available
- Special COVID-19 Bulletin #162 and Electronic Visit Verification Implementation Update
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #164: Update on CARES Act-funded Payments to Nursing Facility Providers for Staff Testing Costs
- Electronic Visit Verification Implementation Update: Alternate EVV Solution Deadline for Compliance
- RHI Hub:
- Community Supports for Rural Aging in Place and Independent Living
- Rural Telehealth and Healthcare System Readiness Commenting Through May 7
- FCC: Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
- Forsyth County and Partners will be hosting a Community Conversation
- Upcoming Events
- April 12, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- DHHS:
- Long-Term Care Update
- NC Medicaid’s Managed Care Quality Strategy Posted for Public Comment
- NC’s State Consumer and Family Advisory Committee
(SCFAC) Meeting: April 14, 2021
- NCTracks:
- April 5, 2021 COVID-19 Stakeholder Update
- NEW resources since the last update
- UPDATED guidance since the last update
- UPDATED reports since the last update
- NEW EVENTS ADDED to the community testing events page
- UPDATED Contact Tracing numbers
- Childrens Bureau Express:
- Spotlight on National Child Abuse Prevention Month
- News From the Children’s Bureau
- Training and Technical Assistance Updates
- Child Welfare Research
- Strategies and Tools for Practice
- Resources
- Training and Conferences
- National Child Abuse Prevention Month: Introducing the 2021/2022 Prevention Resource Guide Thriving Children and Families: Prevention With Purpose: Webinar
- Child Trends:
- Solutions to common challenges when evaluating kinship navigator programs
- New research promises improved survey results about unprotected sex among young adult women
- Leaders must use data to craft and implement financial supports for child care providers during COVID-19
- Child Mind Institute: OCD in Children, and How to Treat It
- USDA Grants for Distance Learning and Telemedicine
- National Association of Medicaid Directors: IMI: Medicaid State Plan Amendments & Waivers
- Reframing Childhood Adversity: Promoting Upstream Approaches Recording
- Center on Rural Addiction: Identifying Bias and Addressing Stigma in the Clinical Setting
- NIH: NIMH Expert Dr. Mary Rooney Discusses Bipolar Disorder in Adolescents and Young Adults
- Upcoming Events
- April 2, 2021
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- Benchmarks’ Legislative Bill Report for April 2, 2021
- DHHS:
- Help Center Email
- SL 2&3 Stakeholders RE: March 26th Follow-Up
- JCB J391 – State-Funded Community Living and Support Service Implementation
H/T: Eastpointe - Be the Change: Enhance Tobacco Use Recovery Training
- April CEE Update
- NCTracks:
- Important Email Update
- Update to Pharmacy Lock-In Criteria
- NCTracks to Capture and Store CAP C/CAP DA Recipient Consent Forms
- NCTracks to Verify Active Home State Medicaid Participation for Border and Out-of-State Locations
- Two New Dental Taxonomy Codes Added to NCTracks
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #162: Medicaid Rate Increases for COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Codes
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #163: Temporary Provider Rate Increases and Clinical Policy Changes Extended
- NC HealthConnex:
- NC*Notify: Version 4 Features and Capabilities
- NC HIEA and DHHS Continue CVMS Efforts
- NC HIEA and AHEC Virtual Training Opportunities
- Security and Risk Awareness
- Webinar Recording, Slides & Q&A for NC Medicaid’s Move to Managed Care: What Health Care Advocates Need to Know
- NC CTP Fall 2021 Learning Collaborative Applications are now open!
- Child Welfare Information Gateway: NC CTP Fall 2021 Learning Collaborative Applications are now open!
- Department of Justice: What you need to know about background Screening
- April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
- The Field Center: INTERDISCIPLINARY PARENT REPRESENTATION AND IMPROVED OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN
- Federal Office of Rural Health Annoucements:
- Learn about Changes to the Federal Definitions of Rural
- Seeking Public Input on Clinical Algorithms That May Promote Bias in Medical Decision-Making
- How States Use Federal Medicaid Authorities to Finance Housing-Related Services
- New Grant for Behavioral Health Training Programs
- Behavioral Health Workforce Development TA and Evaluation Program
- March 26, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- DHHS:
- Post Adoption Workshop and Training
- Medicaid Health Equity Payments
- New Vax Guidance – Change in Priority Groups
- Visitation Guidance from DHSR
- Easing COVID-19 Restrictions, School Guidance Update – March 2021
- COVID-19 Update
- NCTracks:
- Important Email Update
- Update to Pharmacy Lock-In Criteria
- NCTracks to Capture and Store CAP C/CAP DA Recipient Consent Forms
- NCTracks to Verify Active Home State Medicaid Participation for Border and Out-of-State Locations
- Two New Dental Taxonomy Codes Added to NCTracks
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #162: Medicaid Rate Increases for COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Codes
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #163: Temporary Provider Rate Increases and Clinical Policy Changes Extended
- RHIhub:
- Submission for OMB Review; Human Services Programs in Rural Contexts Study
- Telehealth & Medicaid: A Policy Webinar Series
- Child Welfare Information Gateway: Supporting Children’s Mental Health During
the COVID-19 Pandemic - Fostering Health NC: Private Agency Training Info
- Hiring Chain: Sting
- Center on Rural Addiction: Acute Pain Management Following Surgery: Safe Opioid Prescribing and Strategies to Reduce Opioid Overprescribing Recording
- Reframing Childhood Adversity: Promoting Upstream Approaches Recording
- Child Trends: Supporting parents who have experienced trauma
- NIH: Special Events for Autism Awareness Month
- Parker Poe:
- Can We Ask if Employees Have Been Vaccinated?’
- Federal Appeals Court Says Selective Retention Raises May Discriminate Against Female Employees
- When Must Employers Pay Employees Who Are On Call?
- Upcoming Events
- March 19, 2021:
- Benchmarks’ Friday Webinar Recording: March 19, 2021
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- DHHS:
- Electronic Visit Verification Implementation for Innovations and TBI Waivers Administered by LME-MCOs
- Tailored Care Management – Provider Manual Addendum
- More People Eligible for Vaccine!
- Medical Care Advisory Committee Handouts:
March 19, 2021
- NCTracks:
- REMINDER: Advanced Hot Topics in Medicaid Transformation
- Health Plan Virtual Meet and Greet Sessions
- Attention Trading Partners
Reminder for Submitting Batch Claims - Updated Provider Permission Matrix Available
- NCTracks Call Center Closed Good Friday 2021
- Healthy Opportunities Screening, Assessment and Referral Payment Claims Issue
- HRSA: Learn More About Changes to the Federal Definitions of Rural Webinar Recording
- Prevent Child Abuse Member Spotlight Myca Jeter
- NIH:
- RFI: Improving the Mental Health of Rural People
- Hospital Mergers Can Hold Down Wage Growth for Some Health Care Workers
- The Field Center: The Good Stuff in Child Welfare
Parent-Child Care Program Promotes Importance of Children’s Mental Health and Positive Relationships While Teaching Behavior Management Strategies - The National Law Review:
- A Year Into the COVID-19 Pandemic: What Have We Learned About Workplaces and What Does the Future Hold?
- OSHA Puts Employers on Notice: Expect an Increase in COVID-19-Related Inspections
- Free and Extended COBRA Coverage Under The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (US)
- Buckle Up: Union Organizing Likely to Increase Under Biden
- IRS:
- Tax Day for individual taxpayers extended to May 17
- American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 – Don’t file related amended returns yet
- Guidance on Employee Retention Credit
- What employers need to know about repayment of deferred payroll taxes
- Upcoming Events
- March 17, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- DHHS: NCDHHS Launches Statewide Open Enrollment for NC Medicaid Managed Care
- NCTracks:
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #161: Billing for Administration of Monoclonal Antibodies
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #160: Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine HCPCS Code 91303 and 0031A Billing Guidelines
- March Pharmacy Newsletter Available
- Child Trends: Child welfare agencies spent little on prevention in 2018
- Adoption Triad: Developing Transition Plans for Children and Youth Moving to Adoptive Homes
- ACL: FCC Launches Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
- DHHS Rural Health: IEI Announces 2021 BAND-NC Broadband Grants
- AAHD: AAHD Launches COVID – 19 Vaccine Survey for Adults with Disabilities
- Frame Works: A new resource: Advancing Wellbeing and Expanding Opportunities: Reframing Transition Age Foster Youth
- NIH:
- Brain Awareness Week (March 15-21)
- The Teen Brain: 7 Things to Know
- Get Excited About the Brain! Coloring and Activity Book
- Upcoming Events
- March 12, 2021:
- Benchmarks’ Thursday Child Welfare Webinar Recording
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- DHHS:
- COVID-19 Vaccination Update
- March 12, 2021 COVID-19 Stakeholder Update
- Upcoming Events
- March 10, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks Events
- DHHS:
- Advanced Medical Homes Tier 3 “Glidepath” Payments Update
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #159: Update on Appendix K Flexibilities
- NCTracks:
- Upcoming Medicaid Webinars and New Medicaid Bulletin Article Available
- New Medicaid Bulletin Available as of March 9, 2021
- United Healthcare Provider Relations Information
- The Field Center for children’s Policy, Practice and Research Slide Deck
- Child Welfare Information Gateway:
- Cardinal Innovations advocates for members and system stability, believes Commissioner vote doesn’t consider ALL members
- SaySo Youth in Foster Care and Foster Care Alumni Receive State-Wide Recognition (Press release)
- CQL: DSP Turnover Negatively Impacts the Health and Safety of People with IDD
- Daily Yonder: What Would Redefining Metro Counties Mean for Rural America? It’s Complicated
- March 5, 2021:
- Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar Recording with Karen Mcleod and Dave Richard
- Upcoming Benchmarks Events
- DHHS:
- Specialized Foster Care Plan
- NC Medicaid Help Center Now Available for Providers
- NC Medicaid Enrollment Call Center and Website are Live
- COVID-19 Updates
- Electronic Visit Verification Stakeholder Meeting Tuesday, March 9, 2021, 1 – 2 p.m.
- Long-Term Care Update
- 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 - March Community Engagement and Empowerment Team Update
- NCTracks:
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #158: Correction to COVID-19 Lab Code 87428
- New Medicaid Bulletins Available as of March 2, 2021
- March 2021 Provider Training Now Available
- Rural Health Research Gateway: Geographic Expansion of Medicaid Managed Care Organizations
- Research and Evaluation Conference on Self-Sufficiency: Highlights from RECS 2020 & Videos Online
- Administration for Children & Families: Report: Core Competencies for Human Trafficking Response in Health Care and Behavioral Health Systems
- NIH: Webinar Recording – Strengthening the Nursing Workforce
- National Law Review: EEOC Withdraws Proposed Wellness Incentive Rules – Increasing Employer COVID-19 Vaccination Incentive Uncertainties
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- March 2, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks Events
- DHHS:
- NCDHHS Transition of Care Policy
- AMH Provider Manual 2.0 Released
- NCTracks:
- NC Medicaid COVID-19 Updates
- Medicaid Managed Care Virtual Office Hours for Providers
- Rural Disability Blog:
- New paper on trust of information and COVID-19 preventative practices among people with disabilities
- Rural Institute annual report
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- February 26, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks Events
- DHHS: Please join us March 10 for a webinar: “NC Medicaid Transition to Managed Care for Community Partners – The Beneficiary Experience
- NC Health Connex February Update
- NAMD: Medicaid Forward Report
- Child Welfare in the News:
- Kinship Care in Pennsylvania: Creating an Equitable System for Families
- Communities Connected for Kids 2020 Annual Report
- The status of child abuse, neglect and fatality in Lincoln County: Child Advocacy Center director delivers report to commissioners
- NIH: Helping Children Thrive- Guidance and Strategies for Families and Caregivers
- Daily Yonder: Rural Death Rate from Covid-19 Falls by a Third
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- February 23, 2021:
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Events
- DHHS: NCCARE360 Quarterly Report – February 2021
- United Way: Invitation for Request for Information (RFI) for 211 Services
- Child Trends: Number of states with policies on trauma-informed care training in schools has tripled since 2017
- NC Rural Coalition: Webinar Recording
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- February 19, 2021:
- Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar Recording
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Events
- DHHS:
- Repeat Post: Tailored Care Management Certification Deadline Extended to June 1, 2021
- February 19, 2021 COVID-19 Stakeholder Updates
- 2021 Summer Camp Directory
- Long-Term Care Weekly Update
- Infection Prevention Guidance Updates
- Reminder on Visitation and Compassionate Care Guidance
- LTC Vaccination 101 Webinar Recordings
- LTC Vaccination Provider Enrollment
- ACL/CMS Promising Practices Training: Bridging the Digital Divide for HCBS Beneficiaries: Access, Affordability, and Digital Literacy (Part 1)-Slide Deck
- Traumatic Brain injury Waiver Application Update
- National Governor’s Association: Supporting A Trained Direct Care Workforce In Facility Settings During And After The Covid-19 Pandemic
- AHRQ: STATISTICAL BRIEF #533:
Concentration of Healthcare Expenditures and Selected Characteristics of High Spenders, U.S. Civilian Noninstitutionalized Population, 2018 - NIH: Downloadable Factsheets Now Available Through the NIAAA Publications Order Form
- Just Fun: Wellerman Song
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- February 16, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- DHHS: Tailored Care Management Certification Deadline Extended to June 1, 2021
- NCTracks:
- DME Providers May Resubmit Claims for Procedure Code A7048
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #156: Clinical Policy 1E-7, Family Planning Services, COVID-19 Lab Testing for MAFDN Beneficiaries
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #157: Final Reconciliation of Nursing Home Staff Testing Payments Authorized Under Secretarial Orders 2 and 4
- Tailored Care Management Certification Deadline Extended to June 1, 2021
- Billing Code Update for Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants
- Community Alternatives Program for Children (CAP/C) Waiver Renewal Stakeholder Engagement
- Adoption Triad: Adoption Competence
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- February 12, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- Benchmarks’ Child Welfare Webinar Recording & Written Friday Update
- DHHS:
- COVID-19 Stakeholder Update
- Moving to Group 3 for COVID-19 Vaccines
- NCDHHS Releases Specialized Foster Care Plan Policy Paper
- Draft TBI Waiver posted for Public Comment
- DHHS I/DD Stakeholder Workgroup
- DMHDDSAS: Teen Town Hall- Saturday, February 20, 2021
- Joint Communication Bulletin J389 – Money Follows the Person Demonstration Project Changes Programmatic Changes
- LTC Weekly Update
- Hope4Healers – Therapy Resource for Healthcare Professionals
- Electronic Reporting of COVID Data – NHSN
- LTC Vaccination 101 Webinar Recordings
- CDC Post-Vaccination IPC Considerations Guidance for Healthcare Personnel & Residents of LTCFs
- LTCF Residents
- LTC Facilities – Staffing Shortages
- LTC Federal Pharmacy Partnership with CVS/Walgreens Updates
- LTC Vaccination Provider Enrollment
- NCTracks:
- New Medicaid Bulletins Available
- Rituximab-arrx Injection, for Intravenous Use (Riabni™) HCPCS Code J3590: Billing Guidelines
- Lumasiran Injection, for Subcutaneous Use (Oxlumo™) HCPCS Code J3490: Billing Guidelines
- Addition of Licensed Professionals Eligible to Bill Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) CPT Codes
- Checkwrite for the Week of Presidents Day
- New Medicaid Bulletins Available
- NIH:
- Combination therapy for methamphetamine use disorder
- Physician-pharmacist collaboration may improve care for opioid addiction
- Study Identifies Risk Factors for Elevated Anxiety in Young Adults During COVID-19 Pandemic Findings on impact of childhood temperament could help with anxiety prevention efforts
- NIH calls for greater inclusion of pregnant and lactating people in COVID-19 vaccine research
- Neighborhood Characteristics May Affect Epigenetic Predictors of Mortality Risk
- Gene Readouts Contribute To Distinctness of Mental Disorders
- COVID-19 and the Legacy of Racism: Vaccine Hesitancy and Treatment Bias Webinar Video
- AHRQ: One in Five Primary Care Practices Receive No Medicaid Revenue
- National Leadership Consortium on DD: National Leadership Consortium Shares Collection of 50 Apps
- National Core Indicators: Announcing 2019 NCI Staff Stability Results
- PHI:
- Job Quality in Direct Care Relies on Long-Term Care Financing
- COVID-19’s Impact on CNAs and Residential Care Aides
- IRS:
- Increased deduction limit for corporate cash contributions for disaster relief; recordkeeping relief – Must act before February 25
- Updated FAQs and new IRS form available for sick and family leave credits
- Unemployment guidance and reminders
- Important reminders before filing 2020 tax returns
- Critical tax credit provides significant refund boost to millions
- Post-release changes to Schedule K-1, Form 1041 instructions
- Avoid tax schemes – Report abusive tax promotions; Beware of “ghost” preparers
- IRS creates new Chief Taxpayer Experience Officer position; Ken Corbin to lead new focus to improve service to taxpayers
- Inside the IRS with “A Closer Look”
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- February 9, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- DHHS:
- DMHDDSAS: DEI Black History Series
- Community Empowerment Team Update for February
- NCTracks:
- COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan Webinar
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #155: Laboratory Codes for COVID-19 Testing
- New Medicaid Bulletin Available: Medicaid Managed Care Provider Update
- NIH: Mapping Which Coronavirus Variants Will Resist Antibody Treatments
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- February 5, 2021:
- Last Call: CMA Survey
- Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar Recording and Written Update
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- DHHS:
- Webinar featuring an Overview of North Carolina’s Specialized Foster Care Plan
- COVID-19 Stakeholder Updates
- Medicaid Provider Announcements
- Temporary Clinical Policy Modifications: Payment for Healthy Opportunities Screening and Referral
- Advanced Medical Home Tier 3 “Glidepath” Payments
- Behavioral Health I/DD Tailored Plan Memo on Eligibility and Enrollment Updates
- BH/IDD Tailored Plan RFA Update
- Adoption Promotion Program Fund Updates
- NCTracks:
- Medicaid Provider Webinars
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #154: Monoclonal Antibodies – Billing Guidelines
- Advanced Medical Home Tier 3 “Glidepath” Payments
- Temporary Clinical Policy Modifications: Payment for Healthy Opportunities Screening and Referral
- Behavioral Health I/DD Tailored Plan Memo on Eligibility and Enrollment Updates
- NC Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program Announcements
- Electronic Visit Verification Update: Implementation Flexibilities
- No Provider Training in February
- Criteria for Supporting Documentation: Exclusion Sanction Questions
- Issues List Updated as of Feb. 3, 2021
- Providers with Denials for Edit 02104 May Now Resubmit Claims
- Rural Health Research Gateway: Advancing Population Health in Rural Places: Key Lessons and Policy Opportunities
- NIH: Substance Use Disorder, COVID-19 & Resources
- Center on Rural Addiction: Sustained Release Buprenorphine (SRB) in the Outpatient Setting Webinar Recording and Slide Deck
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- February 2, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- DHHS:
- SAVE THE DATE & REGISTER for Supported Living 2&3 Stakeholders Meeting on Friday, March 26th at 2:30p
- Get the SCOOP for Stress Series
- United Healthcare Community Plan: Contact information
- CBX: Children in Out-of-Home Care Are Less Likely to Receive Early Intervention or Special Education Services
- Trauma-Informed Strategies for Supporting Child Welfare-Involved Children and Youth During COVID-19
- Child Trends: Twenty-four percent of children and youth in foster care have a special health care need
- Daily Yonder: ‘Childcare Gap’ Greater in Rural Areas, Study Finds
- RTC Rural: Save the date for the Release of the Annual Disability Statistics Compendium
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- January 29, 2021:
- Benchmarks’ Written Friday Update January 29, 2020
- The Bridge Between System of Care and Medicaid Managed Care: Looking at the Value Proposition Recording and Slide Deck
- Upcoming Events
- DHHS:
- Recording and Presentation of NC Medicaid’s Transition to Managed Care Webinar Now Available
- Innovations Supported Living Level 2 or 3 Workgroup
- NCDHHS Awarded Grant to Prepare for 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline Number-Press Release
- NCTracks: Reminder of Upcoming Changes and Pharmacy Newsletter Now Available
- ACF: Report- Child Maltreatment 2019
- CMS: 2021 Special Enrollment Period in Response to the COVID-19 Emergency
- DOJ: Starting, sustaining, or growing your anti-trafficking work?
- The Daily Yonder: Rate of New Infections, Deaths Declines in Rural Counties
- NIH: Health Data Standards: A Common Language to Support Research and Health Care
- IRS: e-News for Small Business Issue 2021-01
- Child Mind Institute: Free Recording: Child Mind Institute Summit: Telehealth & the Coronavirus
- Upcoming Events
- LMC/MCO Links
- January 27, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- DHHS:
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #153: Temporary Provider Rate Increases and Clinical Policy Changes Extended
- DHSR Update on the Automated Background Check Management System (ABCMS)
- COVID-19 Stakeholder Updates
- Upcoming Olmstead Meetings
- NCTracks:
- Update to NCTracks Automated Voice Response System to Include Prepaid Health Plans
- Update to January Provider Training Meeting Information
- US HHS:
- Updated Federal Poverty Guidelines for 2021: U.S. FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES USED TO DETERMINE FINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY FOR CERTAIN FEDERAL PROGRAMS
- Administration Letter to Governors Indicates PHE to Extend Through 2021
- CMS Publishes LTSS and HCBS Waiver Expenditure Reports
- NIH: Physician-pharmacist collaboration may improve care for opioid addiction
- Child Mind Institute: Bringing a Child Home From Psychiatric Hospitalization An open letter on what to expect and how to manage it
- DOJ: DRUG OVERDOSE MYTHS
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- January 22, 2021:
- Benchmarks Friday Update and Webinar Recording Jan 22, 2020
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- Register: The Bridge Between System of Care and Medicaid Managed Care: Looking at the Value Proposition
- NCGA: JOINT LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON MEDICAID AND NC HEALTH CHOICE Documents and Powerpoints from January 12, 2021 Meeting
- DHHS:
- COVID-19 Update for Long Term Care Settings Webinar Recording and Slide Deck
- COVID 19 Vaccine Administration Webinar Recording and Slide Deck
- TBI Grant Focus Survey
- CCHP: Telehealth & Medicaid: Waivers and State Plan Amendments to Address COVID-19
- Rand Corporation: How to Transform the U.S. Mental Health System
Evidence-Based Recommendations - NIH: The Challenges of Aging During COVID-19: Long Term Care, Vaccination and Isolation
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- January 21, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- Register: The Bridge Between System of Care and Medicaid Managed Care: Looking at the Value Proposition
- DHHS: Long-Term Care Webinar Vaccination Q&A for Long-Term Care Facility Staff Webinar
- NCTracks:
- COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Webinars
- NCDHHS Awards Contract for Medicaid Managed Care Ombudsman Services
- SPECIAL BULLETINS COVID-19 #149, #150 and #151 Available
- New Medicaid Bulletins Available as of Jan. 19, 2021
- HRSA: Caring for Women with Opioid Use Disorder Toolkit
- AAHD:
- Person-Centered Practices Self-Assessment: Plain Language
- Population Health Science in the U.S.: Trends, Evidence, and Implications for Policy
- Building Authentic and Mutually Beneficial Partnerships with Complex Care Consumers
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- January 19, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- Register: The Bridge Between System of Care and Medicaid Managed Care: Looking at the Value Proposition
- DHHS:
- COVID-19 Vaccination Update
- HCBS Stakeholder Quarterly Update: January 2021
- IDD/TBI: OPPORTUNITIES FOR INPUT
- National Law Review: What Guardians Should Know About COVID and the COVID-19 Vaccine
- CCHP:
- CCHP Releases Report on Private Payer Telehealth Coverage During the Public Health Emergency (PHE)
- Factsheet on the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 Now Available
- CMS:
- Welcome to the redesigned data.cms.gov/beta
- CMS releases 2022 Medicare Advantage and Part D Rate Announcement
- DOJ: Jeffrey Lowe and Tiger King LLC Ordered to Relinquish Big Cat Cubs to United States for Placement in Suitable Facilities
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- January 15, 2021:
- Benchmarks’ Child Welfare Webinar Recording & Friday Update
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- Register: The Bridge Between System of Care and Medicaid Managed Care: Looking at the Value Proposition
- DHHS: COVID-19 Vaccination Update
- NCTracks:
- NCTracks Call Center Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, New Medicaid Bulletins, and Dec. Pharmacy Newsletter Now Available
- Upcoming Events
- LMC/MCO Links
- January 13, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- DHHS:
- DHSR Updates from Michiele Elliot: Fingerprint Checks and ABCMS
- Vaccine Information LTC Weekly Update Email – 01/11/2021
- LTC Facilities – Staffing Shortages
- Long Term Care PSAs
- Monoclonal Antibodies for Treatment of COVID-19
- January 11, 2021 COVID-19 Stakeholder Update
- Slidedeck from the Disability Consortium Meeting Regarding Guardianship
- NCTracks: Two Jan. 2021 Provider Training Classes Cancelled and 1099s Arriving Soon
- PHI: New Report: Caring for the Future
- HRSA:
- Navigating Caring for Women with Opioid Use Disorder: An Introductory Webinar
- Social Determinants of Health: Challenges and Opportunities in Rural America Webinar Recording Now Available
- CMS:
- CMS Administrator Announces Withdrawal of MFAR
- CMS Unleashes Innovation to Ensure our Nation’s Seniors Have Access to the Latest Advancements
- CMS Innovation Center Director, Brad Smith, 2020 Year-In-Review
- Homeland Security: Tools That Teach: What is Human Trafficking?
- DOJ: MANY SEXUAL ASSAULTS FOLLOW STALKING
- AHRQ: AHRQ Releases a New Family of Data Files on Social Determinants of Health
- AAHD:
- Doing With, Not Doing For: What it Takes to Facilitate Person-Centered Planning Slidedeck
- What Works to Improve Care for Dual Eligible Individuals: An Evidence and Resource Review
- Disability Scoop: Cats May Improve Social Skills In Kids With Autism
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- January 11, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks Webinars
- DHHS:
- LME-MCO Joint Communication Bulletin # J386
Rescinded JCB #248 Critical Access Behavioral Health Agencies (CABHAs) Sunsetting, published on May 16, 2017
- LME-MCO Joint Communication Bulletin # J386
- NCTracks:
- Upcoming Webinars
- [Coagulation Factor VIIa (Recombinant)-jncw] Lyophilized Powder for Solution, for Intravenous Use (Sevenfact®) HCPCS Code J7212: Billing Guidelines
- Pegfilgrastim-apgf Injection, for Subcutaneous Use (Nyvepria) HCPCS Code Q5122: Billing Guidelines
- NC Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program Announcements
- Interim CIAE Referral Process to Participate in Community Alternatives Programs
- Ferric Derisomaltose Injection, for Intravenous Use (Monoferric) HCPCS Code J1437: Billing Guidelines
- CPT Code Update 2021
- HRSA:
- CDC Recommended Strategies for Initial COVID-19 Vaccination.
- Share Your Thoughts and Opinions on Health – Respond by January 11.
- Comments Requested: Proposed Changes to HIPAA Privacy Rule – February 12.
- Accountable Health Communities Evaluation Report
- Webinar Series on Telehealth Policy and COVID-19 – Friday, January 15 at 2:00 pm ET.
- AHRQ: Annual Report Shows Healthcare Access and Quality Improving, But Disparities Persist
- NIH:
- Clinical Digest: The Common Cold and Complementary Health Approaches
- Feeling Stressed? Ways to Improve Your Well-Being
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- January 5, 2021:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- DHHS:
- COVID-19 Update
- Joint NC DMHDDSAS and DHB COVID 19 Update for NC Providers January 7th
- Please join us from 3-4 p.m. on January 27, 2021, for a webinar on NC Medicaid transition to Managed Care
- NCDHHS Receives Approval to Expand Reach Out and Read through New Medicaid Initiative
- NCTracks:
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #146: Update on CARES Act-Funded Payments to Nursing Facility Providers and Availability of Extension Funding
- Electronic Visit Verification – Implementation Update
- Updates for Health Information Exchange Providers
- Clinical Policy 1A-22, Medically Necessary Circumcision Revised
- Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (N/A) HCPCS code 91301: Billing Guidelines (this information is for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine only)
- PFIZER-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (N/A) HCPCS code 91300: Billing Guidelines (this information is for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine only)
- National Core Indicators: 2018-19 At-A-Glance Report North Carolina Data
- NCCDD: Upcoming COVID-19 Vaccine Presentations
- Parker Poe: Recently Passed Coronavirus Relief Bill Includes Changes to Paycheck Protection Program
- Center for Connected Health Policy: CMS Rule Expands States’ Flexibilities for Network Adequacy and Telehealth
- Child Welfare Information Gateway:
- Cardinal Innovations CEO Trey Sutten says the health-care company is tackling its problems. Here’s how…
- Greensboro Organization Looks To Close Gap In Foster Care Placement System
- DOJ: Federal Response on Human Trafficking-New Website
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- December 23, 2020:
- Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!!
- DHHS:
- Innovations Waiver Direct Support Professional Wage Survey
- LME-MCO Joint Communication Bulletin # J384: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services – Medicaid Managed Care Regulations Revisions
- NCTracks:
- Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (N/A) HCPCS code 91301: Billing Guidelines
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #144: COVID-Nursing Facility Response Site Criteria Revised
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #145: Updated Guidance for PACE Organizations
- Clinical Policy 1E-7, Family Planning Services Revised
- Coverage Added for Transversus Abdominis Plane Blocks
- NCDOT: North Carolina Department of Transportation Bicycle Helmet Initiative – 2021 Call for Applications
- NCAHEC: COVID-19 Update for Long Term Care Settings: LTC Vaccination and Infection Prevention Best Practices
Recording of Webinar from December 17, 2020 - HRSA: New RCORP Funding Opportunity
- NHSA Exchange: Transforming Child Welfare and the Family Well-Being System
- NIHCM: Infant opioid withdrawal therapy varies widely by treatment site
- CMS:
- 2019 Drug Spending Dashboards Now Available!
- CMS Issues Final Rule to Empower States, Manufacturers, and Private Payers to Create New Payment Methods for Innovative New Therapies Based on Patient Outcomes
- DOJ: Justice Department Alleges Conditions at Iowa Institution for Individuals with Disabilities Violate the Constitution
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- December 21, 2020:
- DHHS:
- Addendums to Behavioral Health I/DD Tailored Plans RFA
- DHSR: Renewal Update
- FCC: FCC funds to expand broadband to millions of rural Americans
- HRSA: Integrated Substance Use Disorder Training Program (ISTP)
- NIAAA: Recovery and Youth: An Integrative Review
- Child Trends: Strong relationships, social and emotional skills can support academic success
- Upcoming Events
- LMC/MCO Links
- DHHS:
- December 18, 2020:
- DHHS:
- Vaccine Distribution Office Hours for Provider – Dec. 22
- FOLLOW UP: Supported Living 2&3 Stakeholder Meeting
- MCO Medicaid Covered Diagnosis Effective December 16, 2020
- NCTracks:
- New Medicaid Bulletin, Flu Campaign Materials, NCTracks Holiday Schedule
- Message to Providers from Dr. Betsey Tilson, NCDHHS State Health Director and Chief Medical Officer
- Electronic Visit Verification and In-Home Caregivers
- Electronic Visit Verification Stakeholder Meeting
- Electronic Visit Verification Training Reminder
- MAHEC: Mental Health and SUD Gap Analysis
- NC Child Treatment Program: Opportunity for tele-training in TF-CBT
- HRSA:
- HHS Report: Strengthening the Entry-Level Health Care Workforce
- SAMHSA Mental Health Awareness Training Grants – February 5
- SAMSHA Expanding Treatment/Recovery Services for Youth – February 8
- Comments Requested: Proposed Changes to HIPAA Privacy Rule – 60 days from publication in the Federal Register.
- Check out our new website!
- CMS:
- MCO-based Direct Contracting Entity Type Announced for the Direct Contracting Model Professional and Global Options
- CMS Issues Best Practices on SUD Health Homes
- NIAAA: Watch the recorded presentation of the NIAAA 50th Anniversary Science Symposium
- CQL:
- Simple Things count-Seven ways to be more inclusive of people with disabilities
- Research Alert: The HCBS Settings Rule Improves Health and Safety
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- DHHS:
- December 14, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Child Welfare Webinar w/Lisa Cauley Recording
- DHHS:
- Application Period Open for Tailored Care Management Certification
- DHSR: Vaccine Distribution and Holiday Guidance
- Handouts from the Medical Care Advisory Committee Meeting
- COVID-19 Vaccine Webinar with Dr. Betsy Tilson
- NCTracks:
- Duke University: Infographic Report on Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA)
- Center on Rural Addition: Recording-A Multigenerational Approach to the Prevention & Treatment of SUDs
- CMS: CMS Proposes New Rules to Address Prior Authorization and Reduce Burden on Patients and Providers
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- December 9, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Webinar & Registration Link
- DHHS:
- COVID-19 Updates
- EVV-Postponed for 3 Months, more to come
- DHHS Healthcare Coalition Webinar Follow-Up
- DHSR: Important Updates – Vaccine Distribution – Renewal Applications – Fingerprint Checks
- LME-MCO Joint Communication Bulletin # J382: State-Funded Respite During Remote Learning
- LME-MCO Joint Communication Bulletin # J383: Home and Community Based Services Validation Update
- Cardinal Innovations/Mecklenburg County Updated Story
- NCAPPS: Person-Centered Planning: 5 Staff Competency Domains
- NPQ: Ethical Storytelling for Nonprofits and Philanthropy
- NIH:
- Ethical Storytelling for Nonprofits and Philanthropy
- The Science of Happiness – Webinar & Infographic
- Employee & Workplace Mental Health – Webinar & Infographic
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- December 4, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Webinars & Registration Links
- Benchmarks’ Friday Written Update
- DHHS:
- Vaccine Information (and more) from DHSR
- Medicaid Beneficiary Portal
- COVID-19 Updates
- Support for Older and Disabled Adults in Our Community
- December 2nd DHHS Healthcare Coalition Slidedeck
- State Rehabilitation Council Meeting- Submit Questions today!
- NCTracks:
- Applying with New DEA Licenses and Sending Transcripts via Email for Faster Processing
- Federal Enrollment Application Fee Increase for Calendar Year 2021 and Nov. Pharmacy Newsletter Available
- RHI Hub:
- Updated RHIhub Toolkit
- COVID-19 Takes a Holiday? Rural Infection Rate Drops During Thanksgiving Week
- Does a Rural Community-Based Intervention Improve Knowledge and Attitudes of Opioid Use Disorder and Medication-Assisted Treatment? A Report From the IT MATTTRs Study
- The Future of State Telehealth Policy
- HRSA:
- Updated Provider Relief Funds FAQs
- HHS Request for Information on Redundant, Overlapping, or Inconsistent Regulations – December 21
- HHS Request for Information on Best Practices in Response to COVID-19 – December 24
- Comments Requested: Paperwork Reduction for the FCC – December 24
- CMS Value in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Demonstration – January 3
- HRSA Nursing Workforce Diversity Program – January 19
- Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2021
- Proposed Changes to Individual Insurance Market for 2022
- Accountable Health Communities (AHC) Model – Two Rural Participants’ Experiences
- Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute Changes Finalized
- Office of Minority Health:
- National COVID-19 Resiliency Network
- Mental Wellness during the Holidays
- Alliance for Families: New report tracks national efforts to transform child welfare systems: Within Our Reach commissions new report focused on prevention
- AAHD:
- Person-Centered Practices Self-Assessment
- COVID-19 Accessible Materials for People with Disabilities – 4 Upcoming Webinars
- How Clinical Practices Can Advance the Implementation of Behavioral Health-Primary Care Integrated Care in the COVID-19 Era
- Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders in the Era of COVID-19: Special Focus on the Impact of the Pandemic on Communities of Color
- Understanding the Impacts of COVID-19 on Substance Abuse Disorder and Treatment
- Innovative State Initiatives & Strategies Providing Housing-Related Services & Supports Under Medicaid To Persons with SUD Who Are Experiencing or At-Risk of Homelessness
- CMS: CMS Announces New Model to Advance Regional Value-Based Care in Medicare
- Child Welfare Information Gateway:
- Supporting Children and Families Affected by the Opioid Epidemic: Emerging Policy Considerations
- Expanding Role and Reach: A Community-Centered Child Welfare Response to COVID-19
- NC: B&GH to provide ‘extended family’ for children while parents receive substance abuse treatment (May require subscription)
- OH: Ohio sued over lower payments to relatives caring for kids
- Disability Scoop:
- Pandemic Helpline Launches For People With IDD, Caregivers
- This Company Reinvented The Computer Mouse For Kids With Special Needs
- Group Home Provider Repeatedly Failed Residents, Investigation Finds
- December 1, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Webinars-Includes Registration Link
- DHHS:
-
LME-MCO Joint Communication Bulletin # 380: Permanent Supportive Housing Training Requirements and the Transitions to Community Living Initiative (Revised)
- LME-MCO Joint Communication Bulletin # 381: NC Innovations Waiver and NC TBI Waiver – Retainer Payments
- NC Medicaid Transformation, Transition of Care at Crossover NC DHHS Re-Evaluation of Consent Securing Process under 42 CFR Part 2 V3 Draft for Circulation 11/23/2020
-
- NCTracks:
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #143: CAP/C and CAP/DA Home- and Community-Based Services Flexibilities Update for Beneficiaries Enrolled in 1915(c) Waivers
- Guidance on Entering Residency Information on Provider Applications
- CMS:
- ICD-10 MS-DRGs Version 38.1 Effective January 1, 2021
- CMS Announces Comprehensive Strategy to Enhance Hospital Capacity Amid COVID-19 Surge
- Child Trends:
- 10 ways to support children’s emotional well-being during COVID-19
- Considerations for states and tribes as they scale up evidence-based models under the Family First Act
- Child Welfare Information Gateway: I’m a former foster child and Florida’s system needs to be overhauled
- NIH: Vast Majority of Pregnant Women with COVID-19 Won’t Have Complications, Study Finds
- HRSA: Does Your Critical Shortage Facility Qualify for Nurse Corps?
- FCC:
- Establishing a 5G Fund for Rural America
- Information Collection Being Submitted for Review and Approval to Office of Management and Budget
- HHS:
- Regulatory Relief To Support Economic Recovery; Request for Information (RFI)
- Effective and Innovative Approaches/Best Practices in Health Care in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic; Request for Information (RFI)
- USDA: Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 for Specialty Crop Producers
- AHRQ:
- AHRQ Views Blog Post: Re-imagining AHRQ’s Insight Platform
- Self-Reliant Patients Less Likely To Use Opioids
- IRS Small Business Updates
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- November 20, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar & Written Update Karen McLeod, Benchmarks & Leza Wainwright, Trillium
- Benchmarks’ Health & Human Services Insurance Crisis Webinar Recording
- DHHS:
- Behavioral Health/IDD Tailored Plan RFA
- Holiday Guidance for Residents, Staff, and Visitors of Residential Care Settings: November 19, 2020
- Provider Contracting Deadline for Inclusion in Open Enrollment and Auto-Enrollment
- COVID-19 Updates
- NCCDD: Meet the recipients of the 2020 Advocacy and Leadership Awards!
- CMS:
- CMS Urging Nursing Homes to Follow Established COVID Guidelines This Holiday Season
- Nursing Home Series for Front Line Clinicians and Staff
- CMS is announcing the Request for Application (RFA) open period (November 19, 2020 to January 3, 2021) for the Value in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment (ViT) Initiative
- CHART Model Shares a Medicaid Participation Factsheet
- Child Welfare Information Gateway:
- Children and COVID-19: State Data Report: A Joint Report from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children’s Hospital Association: Summary of Publicly Reported Data from 49 states, NYC, DC, PR, and GU.
- Parental Drug Use and Family Reunification
- Why Parenting Matters for Children in the 21st Century: An Evidence-Based Framework for Understanding Parenting and its Impact on Child Development
- US: Intercountry Adoptions: Regulatory Changes to Accreditation and Approval Regulations in Intercountry Adoption (Press release)
- HRSA: Key Policy Challenges and Opportunities to Improve Care for People with Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
- Disability Scoop:
- New Housing Concepts Emerge For Adults With Developmental Disabilities
- Disability-Related Hate Crimes Down, FBI Says
- NIH: Analysis of Patient Spending Points to Interventions that May Prevent Rising Care Costs
- DOJ: Justice Department Reaches Landmark Agreement with Massachusetts Department of Children and Family to Address Discrimination Against Parents with Disabilities
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- November 19, 2020:
- Register for Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar Karen McLeod, Benchmarks & Leza Wainwright, Trillium
- DHHS:
- Medicaid Managed Care Provider Update
- Behavioral Health and I/DD Townhall
- NCTracks:
- Legislation Gives Certain Providers More Time to Connect to NC HealthConnex
- Advanced Medical Home Webinar Series Begins December 10
- Required Provider Agency Survey: Electronic Visit Verification
- RHIHub:
- 2019 BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT DATA SHOW DIGITAL DIVIDE IS CLOSING
- State Offices of Rural Health Helping the Fight Against the COVID-19 Pandemic
- CWLA: New CWLA Publication: Reflections on Child Welfare
- AHRQ:
- Displaying Patient Photos in Electronic Health Records Reduces Hospital Order Errors
- More Than Half of Private-Sector Employees Enrolled in High-Deductible Health Plans
- American Association on Health & Disability:
- Facilitation for Choice and Control: Person-Centered Planning’s Best Kept Secret
- Telemedicine Barriers and Challenges for Persons with Disabilities: COVID-19 and Beyond
- Medicaid Home-and-Community-Based Services – Innovations During COVID-19″ Payers and Providers
- National Law Review:
- Time Is Money: A Quick Wage-Hour Tip on … Regular Rate Exclusions Applicable to Year-End Bonuses
- 2021 Cost of Living Adjustments
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- November 17, 2020:
- Register for Benchmarks’ Webinar-The HHS Insurance Crisis: What You Need to Know & What You Can Do
- DHHS:
- Reminder Regarding Training Requirements/Waivers During NC State of Emergency
NC Medicaid COVID-19 Training Flexibilities - Notification of Tailored Plan RFA Release
- COVID-19 Updates
- Reminder Regarding Training Requirements/Waivers During NC State of Emergency
- WUNC: Will North Carolina Be Ready for Medicaid Transformation?
- HRSA: Does Your Critical Shortage Facility Qualify for Nurse Corps?
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- November 13, 2020:
- November is National Family Caregivers Month
- Benchmarks’ Friday Update and Recording
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- NC HealthConnex November Update
- DHHS: Feedback for State-Funded Service Definitions (Day Supports & Community Living and Support)
- NC CTP Spring 2021 Learning Collaborative Applications are now open!
- Understanding Clinical Quality Measures: How CMS is Modernizing its Approach to Digital Measurement
- NIH: Holiday Herbs and Your Health
- Open Minds: Improved Outcomes Across the HHS Spectrum By Delivering a Person-Centric Benefits Platform Webinar Recording
- Parker Poe: SBA Reveals Questionnaires Aimed at Auditing Necessity of Large Paycheck Protection Program Loans
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- November 12, 2020:
- November is National Adoption Month
- Benchmarks’ Thursday Child Welfare Webinar w/Lisa Cauley & Karen McLeod
Recording and Slidedeck - Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- DHHS: Launch of NC Medicaid’s Enrollment Website
- NCTracks:
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #141: Reminder of Requirement to Report Antigen Test Results
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #142: REMINDER – Reimbursement for COVID-19-Related Primary Care Services for Uninsured Individuals Living in NC
- New Medicaid Bulletins Available as of Nov. 10, 2020:
- NC Medicaid Launches Website for Beneficiaries to Learn More About Medicaid Managed Care
- Clinical Policy 1E-3, Sterilization Procedures- Sterilization Consent Form
Long Acting Reversible Contraceptive (LARC) and Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone) Claims Review Program - Spanish Translation Now Available on ePASS: Medicaid, Food and Nutrition Services Website
- RHI Hub:
- How ACOs in Rural and Underserved Areas Responded to Medicare’s ACO Investment Model
- Why Playgrounds Matter in Rural America: Insights for Rural Donors and Funders
- FDA: Evaluating the Effect of the Opioid Analgesics Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy Education Program on Prescribing Behaviors and Patient Outcomes-Exploring the Path Forward for Assessment; Public Workshop; Issues Paper; Request for Comments
- Community Health Grant SFY22 RFA
- AHRQ:
- New Chartbook Compares Quality of Healthcare for Veterans With Other Populations
- Prevention, Diagnosis, and Management of Opioids, Opioid Misuse, and Opioid Use Disorder in Older Adults
- Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Treatments for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
- HRSA: Three States’ Strategies to Improve Behavioral Health Services Delivery through Medicaid Accountable Care Programs
- CMS: Press Release: Trump Administration Announces Medicaid and CHIP Managed Care Final Rule, Continues Commitment to Transform Medicaid by Delivering Greater Flexibility to States
- NIH: Research Highlight: Using Mobile Technology to Improve Care for Teens with Depression
- CWIG: Who Cares: A National Count of Foster Homes and Families (New 2020 data released today)
- PHI:
- The 5 Pillars of Direct Care Job Quality
- Direct Care Workers Deserve Quality Training
- Fair Compensation is Essential to the Direct Care Job
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- November 9, 2020:
- November is National Adoption Month
- Benchmarks’ Friday Update and Recording Featuring Brian Ingraham w/Vaya
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- DHHS:
- COVID-19 Updates
- Medicaid Managed Care Fireside Chat Recording: Advanced Medical Homes
- NCTracks:
- Modified NCTracks AMH Tier Attestation Tool Available
- NC Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program Announcements
- Reminder – 2020 Veterans Day Holiday and Checkwrite Schedule
- NCTracks Call Center Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday
- Pharmacy Newsletters
- RHI Hub:
- AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program Expansion Sponsor Competition
- AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program Expansion Sponsor Competition
- Association of Rurality With Availability of Youth Mental Health Facilities With Suicide Prevention Services in the US
- NC Rural Center: Community Resiliency Webinar Series
- HRSA: NEW Health Center Dashboard: COVID-19 Survey Operational Capacity
- AHRQ: Prevention, Diagnosis, and Management of Opioids, Opioid Misuse, and Opioid Use Disorder in Older Adults
- NIH: Neighborhood conditions associated with children’s cognitive function: NIH-funded research from ABCD Study finds association despite household income.
- CWLA: Case preview: Court will tackle dispute involving religious foster-care agency, LGBTQ rights
- NRI: Impact of COVID-19 on State Mental Health Services
- NARIC: Job Crafting May Be an Under-Utilized Strategy to Improve Job Satisfaction and Performance for Workers with Disabilities
- People with Disabilities Describe Features of Mobile Health Apps that Would Increase Accessibility
- City Health Dashboard: 37 measures of health, the factors that shape health, and drivers of health equity to guide local solutions for U.S. cities
- IRS:
- IRS issues new relief for taxpayers experiencing COVID-19-related financial difficulties
- November 10 is National EIP Registration Day; Register at IRS.gov for Economic Impact Payment
- SB/SE releases 2021 focus guide
- Don’t forget the Work Opportunity Tax Credit
- Impact of Presidential Memorandum on Forms W-2 and W-2c
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- November 2, 2020:
- November is national Adoption Month: Resources
- Benchmarks:
- Friday Update and Recording
- Upcoming Meetings & Webinars
- DHHS:
- COVID-19 Stakeholder Updates
- NCDHHS and Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority to Create First-in-Nation Indian Managed Care Entity
- Watch Recording From DHHS’ Behavioral Health, I/DD Tailored Plans Webinar Here
- Funding Announcement: Supporting Justice-Involved Individuals with SUD during COVID
- NCTracks:
- New Medicaid Bulletins Available as of Oct. 27, 2020
- November Provider Training Now Available
- Advanced Medical Home Webinar
- Portal for COVID-19 Primary Care Services Reimbursement Now Live-Detailed Bulletin and Training Courses Available
- NCTracks ORH Provider Training Courses & Resources
- FFTA: Call for Nominations for the FFTA Board of Directors
- UNC: Supporting Families Project – Referrals and “Lunch” meeting!
- Ancor: New Brief Highlights Impossible Choices Confronting Disability Providers During the Pandemic
- Child Trends: Updated state-level data for understanding child welfare in the United States
- NIH: Watch NIMH Expert Dr. Mary Rooney Discuss Managing ADHD in Children & Adolescents
- Center for Connected Health Policy: Tele-Mental Health Services for Veterans and Funding Opportunities
- CMS:
- New Listserv Topic for Rural Populations
- Press Release: CMS Releases Toolkit to Accelerate State Efforts to Rebalance Long-term Care Systems and Enhance Home and Community-Based Services for Eligible Medicaid Beneficiaries
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- October 27, 2020:
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- Benchmarks’ Medicaid Forum: Legislative Agenda Planning
- Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar w/ Rob Robinson, Alliance Health, CEO
- Benchmarks’ Child Welfare Group Captive Insurance Solution Discussion with Mark Renske, Hylant Insurance
- NCTracks: Residency Program Verification Letters Now Accepted in Place of Transcripts
- CMS: Webinar This Thursday! Continuing Medicaid & CHIP Outreach During COVID-19 to Keep Kids Covered
- Child Trends: Recommendations for scaling out programs to better serve youth
- NIH: Postpartum depression may persist three years after giving birth
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- October 23, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Friday Update and Webinar Recording
- Upcoming Benchmarks’ Webinars
- Benchmarks’ Medicaid Forum: Legislative Agenda Planning
- Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar w/ Rob Robinson, Alliance Health, CEO
- Benchmarks’ Child Welfare Group Captive Insurance Solution Discussion with Mark Renske, Hylant Insurance
- DHHS: COVID-19 Update
- NCTracks: SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #139: COVID-19 Temporary Provider Rate Increases and Clinical Policy Changes Extended
- NCCDD: Complete the Olmstead Survey
- National Council: 9-8-8 Signed into Law
- Opportunity 360: Tracking the Impact of Covid-19: Two Tools from Enterprise Community Partners
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- October 22, 2020:
- Benchmarks Friday Membership Webinar with Trey Sutton-CEO-Cardinal Innovations
- DHHS:
- Medicaid Temporary Rate Increases and Clinical Policy Flexibilities Extension
- Behavioral Health-I/DD Tailored Plan Webinar: October 28, 2020
- Behavioral Health and I/DD Town Hall Meeting Reminder
- Everday Matters (Building Bridges Project) Handout for October
- NCTracks: New Medicaid Bulletins and Veteran’s Day Holiday
- CMS:
- Quality Measures: How They Are Developed, Used, & Maintained
- Proposed Policies for the Quality Payment Program’s 2021
- Provider Data Catalog
- Congressional Research Service: Medicaid Telehealth Policies in Response to COVID-19
- Kaiser Family Foundation: State Medicaid Programs Respond to Meet COVID-19 Challenges: Results from a 50-State Medicaid Budget Survey for State Fiscal Years 2020 and 2021
- Center for Connected Health Policy: State Telehealth Laws & Reimbursement Policies
- NIH: Workplace Mental Health: New Webinar Video
- Federal Register: Submission for OMB Review; Identifying and Addressing Human Trafficking in Child Welfare Agencies
- CNN: OxyContin maker to plead guilty to federal criminal charges, pay $8 billion, and will close the company (includes video)
- NADSP: COVID-19 & the Flu: An Update from Dr. Rick Rader
- Adoption Triad: Extended Family Matters in Adoption
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- October 20, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Webinars This Week:
- Foster, Adoption, Residential (FAR): Legislative Agenda Development Webinar
Date: Thursday, October 22, 2020
Time: 8:00 am - Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar
Date: Thursday, October 23, 2020
Time: 8:30 am
- Foster, Adoption, Residential (FAR): Legislative Agenda Development Webinar
- DHHS:
- COVID-19 Stakeholder Updates
- HCBS Stakeholder Updates
- WSOC-TV: Meck County leaders to meet with Cardinal Innovations’ CEO after 2 local counties sever ties
- HRSA: NHSC and Nurse Corps Build Healthy Communities 2020 Health Workforce Field Strength Numbers Increase Access to Primary and Substance Use Disorder Care
- US Department of State: New Website-Federal Response on Human Trafficking
- NIH: NIH study tests a comprehensive model intervention to reduce opioid overdose deaths in hard-hit communities
- Child Trends: New data on young people in foster care and their young adult outcomes
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- Benchmarks’ Webinars This Week:
- October 16, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Special Report and Friday Update
- DHHS:
- Call For Proposals One Community in Recovery Conference
- Access Recordings of Past SCOOP Webinars on Managing Stress and Register for Upcoming Webinars (Thank you, Leslie Kellenberger!!!!)
- DHHS Office of Rural Health:
- Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Program for Professionals
- How Growing Geographic and Racial Disparities Inhibit the Ability to Live Longer and Healthier Lives
- CDC: Increase in Drug Overdose Deaths Involving Cocaine.
- COVID-19 FAQs and Funding for HRSA Programs.
- CMS Coronavirus Stakeholder Calls.
- New: ATTC Network COVID-19 Resources for Addictions Treatment
- SAMHSA Training and Technical Assistance Related to COVID-19
- NCDOL: PETITION FOR RULEMAKING
- NC Rural Center:
- Feds kick in nearly $22 million to bring high-speed internet to rural Pender
- From nursing students to rural health pros: ECU program takes aim at NC’s rural provider shortage
- Applications open for $32M in special GREAT grant funding to expand internet in rural areas
- USDA invests more than $2 Million in high-speed broadband in rural N.C.Funding to connect 1,302 rural households to high-speed broadband
- HRSA:
- HHS Awards Nearly $500 million to Support Primary Health Care Workforce Nationwide
- HRSA Releases 2019-2020 Report on Health Equity: Special Feature on Housing and Health Inequalities
- Moving Upstream: The Urgency of Transforming Systems HRSA’s Warren Pens Blog Post for the Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
- Child Welfare Information Gateway:
- Funding streams for child welfare agencies
- A Historic Opportunity to Reform the Child Welfare System: Youth & Alumni Priorities on Special Populations
- Human Trafficking Guidance for Medical and Mental Health Professionals During and After COVID 19
- It Is Not a Broken System, It Is a System That Needs to Be Broken: The upEND Movement to Abolish the Child Welfare System
- New “Help a Friend in Trouble” Video
- NEW Podcast: “Prevention Training for Home Visitors”
- Use of Advertising and Facilitators in Adoptive Placements
- Family Support Services
- Behavioral Health and Wellness
- Support Services for Youth in Transition: Life Skills
- In This Month’s CBX: Thriving Families, Safer Children: A National Commitment to Well-Being
- Prevention-Focused E-Learning From CWVE 2020
- NC: Foster Care numbers in Cabarrus County have risen since COVID-19 shutdowns, expert says
- DOJ:
- Justice Department Announces $29 Million To Support Justice And Mental Health Programs
- Department of Justice Announces More Than $341 Million in Grants to Combat America’s Addiction Crisis
- Remarks by Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Office of Justice Programs, at the Pennsylvania Roundtable on Mental Health and Addiction
- CMS:
- Trump Administration Drives Telehealth Services in Medicaid and Medicare
- Enforcement Discretion Relating to Certain Pharmacy Billing
- Trump Administration Announces Historically Low Premiums and New Insulin Benefit as Medicare Open Enrollment Begins
- FinCEN: FinCEN Issues Supplemental Advisory on Identifying and Reporting Human Trafficking and Related Activity
- Disability Scoop: SSI, Social Security Benefits Will Increase In 2021
- Parker Poe: SBA Releases Long-Awaited Guidance on M&A Rules for Paycheck Protection Program Borrowers
- Upcoming Events
- Links to LME/MCOs
- October 15, 2020:
- Hylant: Child Welfare Liability Group Captive Study
- Video: The Nonprofit Insurance Crisis: What you need to know and what you can do
- October 13, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ will NOT hold live webinars this week. Please make a note in your calendar.
- DHHS:
- COVID-19 Stakeholder Updates
- New Opportunity for Providers Applying for Federal Relief Funds and Additional Guidance
- October 7th DHHS Healthcare Coalition Webinar Slides & Recording
- LME-MCO Joint Communication Bulletin # J379: Addition of ASAM Requirements for the Comprehensive Clinical Assessment (CCA) and Diagnostic Assessment (DA)
- NC HealthConnexExpanding Connectivity Through National Networks to Support More Informed Care in North Carolina
- NC HealthConnex Named NASCIO State IT Recognition Award Finalist for 2020
- Governor Cooper Proclaims October 2020 as Cybersecurity Awareness Month
- Juvenile Justice Update on Raise the Age
- Lisa Cauley, DSS, on new Practice Model
- NCTracks:
- Status Management Page Change
- Columbus Day Holiday Monday and Checkwrite Schedule
- REMINDER: Immunizations and Keeping Kids Well: Trends and COVID-19 Webinar on October 15
- Child Welfare Information Gateway: COVID-19 Response Fund awards $3M to 72 nonprofits
- DOJ: Office of Justice Programs Awards $261 Million to Support Youth Mentoring, Protect Children
- CMS:
- CMS Takes Action to Protect Integrity of COVID-19 Testing
- CMS Announces New Repayment Terms for Medicare Loans made to Providers during COVID-19
- PHI:
- New Report on Direct Care Job Quality and COVID-19
- New Data: Direct Care Wages Are Lagging Behind In all 50 states and DC, the direct care worker median wage is lower than the median wage for other occupations with similar entry-level requirements.
- PHI Launches Multi-State Advocacy Initiative
- Disability Scoop: IRS Issues Final Rules For ABLE Accounts
- HRSA:
- Diabetes in Special & Vulnerable Populations: A National Learning Series
- National Assessment of Rural FQHCs: Roles and Opportunities Related to Rural Hospital Closures
- UDS Mapper Celebrates 10 Years with Modernized Website
- Telehealth for Formerly Homeless and Vulnerable Populations in Supportive Housing Fact Sheets
- Alliance for Strong Families and Communities: Family Group Decision-Making for Children at Risk of Abuse or Neglect: A Systematic Review
- NIH:
- NIH-funded study links adolescent brain differences to increased waist circumference
- NIH study aims to identify promising COVID-19 treatments for larger clinical trials
- NHGRI researchers work with patients, families and the scientific community to improve the informed consent process
- NCBI Datasets now provides downloads of gene data for more than 30 thousand organisms
- National Health Care for the Homeless Council: “Building the Plane While Flying It: HCH, Telehealth and COVID-19, Part I and Part II” Webinar Recordings
- NAMD: A Framework for Public Sector Leadership
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- Alliance LME/MCO Announcement
- October 8, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Thursday Child Welfare Webinar Recording & Weekly Update
- DHHS:
- Joint Communication Bulleting #378
Assertive Community Treatment and Individual Placement and Support Interim Evidence-Based Practice Quality Review Protocol - Draft PRTF Rules
- N.C. Medical Care Commission is providing notice of the change of procedure for Nurse Aide I Registry Rules
- Joint Communication Bulleting #378
- NCTracks:
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #137: Reimbursement for COVID-19 Related Primary Care Services for Uninsured NC Residents – Steps to Prepare
- New Bulletin: DHHS Awards Contract for Electronic Visit Verification
- Immunizations and Keeping Kids Well: Trends and COVID-19 Webinar on October 15
- Sept. Pharmacy Newsletter Now Available
- No Copayment for Pregnant NC Medicaid Beneficiaries for Covered Prescription Drugs
- Preferred Brands with Non-Preferred Generics on the Preferred Drug List (PDL) (Current as of September 25, 2020)
- NC Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program Announcements
- RHIhub:
- Special Announcement: Rural Practices Telehealth Stipends, Applications Due October 22, 2020
- Reimbursement for COVID Related Primary Care Services for Uninsured NC Residents – Steps to Prepare
- FCC: FCC Extends Purchasing Deadline for COVID-19 Telehealth Program
- Child Welfare Information Gateway:
- EBCI Family Safety Program celebrates fifth anniversary (Press release)
- HUD Secretary Ben Carson Marks Foster Youth to Independence Initiative Milestone (Press release)
- New Study by American Institutes for Research Finds Safe Babies Court Team™ (SBCT) Approach Reduced Average Time Spent in Foster Care, Recurrence of Abuse and Neglect (Press release)
- NIH:
- Your Guide to the Science of Health
- Discoveries in Basic Science: A Perfectly Imperfect Process
- Tired or Wired? Caffeine and Your Brain
- Child Trends:
- Five ways child welfare administrators can promote resilience and healing in response to the pandemic
- Strategies to support youth in the juvenile justice system during COVID-19
- How learning communities can improve youth workforce development trainings
- PHI: ESSENTIAL JOBS, ESSENTIAL CARE North Carolina
- National Law Review: Federal Appeals Court Hands Down Important Ruling in Overtime Exemption Lawsuit
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- October 2, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar Recording and Written Update
- DHHS:
- COVID-19 Updates Includes Phase 3 Guidance
- LME-MCO Joint Communication Bulletin # J377
State-Designed Templates for Notification of Adverse Benefit Determinations (NABDs) - Slide Deck from Governor’s Press Conference:
September 30, 2020 - Community Engagement Team and Town Hall Updates
- Supported Living 1 & 2 Stakeholder Meeting Recording
- Award of Contract for Electronic Visit Verification (EVV)
- NCAHEC/DHHS: Medicaid Managed Care Fireside Chat Webinar Series and Recording
- US DHHS: Trump Administration Announces $20 Billion in New Phase 3 Provider Relief Funding
- Identifying the Enabling Services Workforce for SDOH Screening and Documentation Webinar Recording
- The Nonprofit Insurance Crisis: What You Need To Know and What You Can Do Webinar Recording
- HRSA:
- New Research on Child Health
- HRSA Plans October 5 Release of 2019 National Survey of Children’s Health Data
- State Roles in Preventing and Improving Foster Care Placements for Children with Medical Complexity
- CMS: CMS Model Helps Address the Health-Related Social Needs for over 750,000 Medicare and Medicaid Beneficiaries
- ACL: Kicking Off National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2020
- White House: Proclamation on National Disability Employment Awareness Month, 2020
- NIH: Seasonal Affective Disorder
- SAMHSA: New SAMHSA app will help people who have serious mental illness to develop a crisis plan
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- September 30, 2020:
- Reminder: Dave Richard Joins Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar
- DHHS:
- Tomorrow: Joint NC DMHDDSAS and DHB COVID 19 Update for NC Providers October 1st
- Updated Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program Criteria
- NCTracks:
- Details on Prescribing Provider DEA Requirements Coming Soon and All Board Certifications Now Required
- NIH: How anesthetics and benzodiazepine affect the brain differently
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- September 29, 2020:
- Reminder: Dave Richard Joins Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar
- DHHS:
- Latest COVID Updates, Press Releases and Guidance
- Ensure Your Information Displays Correctly in NC’s Provider Directory Tool
- Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Program
- Testing Strategy Paper
- Guidance on Visitation and NC Medicaid Receives Approval for Expanded Flexibilities for Home and Community Services
- NCTracks:
- New CAP Respite Service History Inquiry Tool
- Child Welfare Information Gateway: ‘Youth were abused here’: More than 40 states have sent their most vulnerable kids to facilities run by a for-profit company named Sequel. Many of those kids were abused there.
- Child Trends: Child welfare agencies should use tailored, flexible, trauma-informed services to serve adoptive families
- Child and Family Evidence-Based Practice Consortium:
- Recording of Addressing FFPSA Requirements: Tools for Selection and Sustainable Implementation of Evidence-Supported Programs webinar
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- September 25, 2020:
- National One-Hit Wonder Day (Okay, that was just fun!)
- Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar Recording and Update
- DHHS:
- NC Medicaid Receives Approval for Expanded Flexibilities for Home and Community Services – NC Innovations Waiver
- LME-MCO Joint Communication Bulletin # J376-Session Law 2020-80 Coronavirus Relief Funding for Group Homes
- NCTracks:
- 2021 Checkwrite Schedules Available and Provider Training Available in October
- New Webinar Series for Medicaid Providers and Practice Leaders
- Behavioral Health Policy Update
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #133: COVID-19 Exposure Notification App Available
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #134: Clarification of COVID-19 Temporary Rate Increases and Clinical Policy Changes
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #135: Expectation to Comply with Infection Control and Prevention Measures
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #136: NC Medicaid Receives Approval for Expanded Flexibilities for Home and Community Services – NC Innovations Waiver
- All Board Certifications Now Required on Applications and Details on Prescribing
- CDC: Urban-rural Differences in Suicide Rates, by Sex and Three Leading Methods: United States, 2000-2018
- SAMHSA: National Survey on Drug Use and Health
- CMS: CMS Issues Urgent Call to Action Following Drastic Decline in Care for Children in Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program Due to COVID-19 Pandemic
- Child Welfare Information Gateway:
- Documentary Explores Emancipating From Foster Care System (Audio)
- Foster Youth and Alumni Speak Up for Special Groups Among Them
- Disability Scoop: Trump Administration Pushing Program That Moves People Out Of Institutions
- WST Asset Management: Audio Commentary-Markets & Economic Update
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- September 23, 2020:
- DHHS:
- Special Bulletin COVID-19 #132: Laboratory Codes for Coronavirus (COVID-19) Testing
- NC Medicaid Extends Temporary Clinical Coverage Policy Provisions and Temporary Rate Enhancements
- Expectation to Comply with Infection Control and Prevention Measures
- New SlowCOVIDNC App!
- DSS: Dear Director Letter Re: DCDL_CARES-COVID-FC_ADVANCE funds_CWS_28-20
- Executive Order No. 165:
EXTENDING CERTAIN HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES PROVISIONS IN PREVIOUS EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY - LME-MCO Joint Communication Bulletin # JCB 375: NC Innovations – Respite during Remote Learning
- NCTracks:
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #132: Laboratory Codes for Coronavirus (COVID-19) Testing
- Five New Medicaid Bulletins Available as of Sept. 22, 2020
- Billing Code Update for Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants
- Community Alternatives Program Internal Independent Assessment
- Inebilizumab-cdon Injection, for Intravenous Use (Uplizna™)
- HCPCS Code J3590: Billing Guidelines
Public Comment Period for Community Alternatives Program for Children Waiver Renewal - Tafasitamab-cxix for Injection, for Intravenous Use (Monjuvi®) HCPCS Code J9999: Billing Guidelines
- Prescribing Provider Designation and DEA Requirements Coming Soon
- National Council: How to Screen for Substance Use Among Youth – Access New Training
- Alcohol Research: Suicidal Behavior: Links Between Alcohol Use Disorder and Acute Use of Alcohol
- Child Trends:
- Education and employment training can ease transition to adulthood for young people involved in foster care
- Recommendations for conducting virtual focus groups
- Child Welfare Information Gateway:
- AG Barr announces $100M more to combat human trafficking
- Optional Exceptions to the Prohibition Against Treating Incarceration as Voluntary Unemployment Under Child Support Guidelines
- Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2019
- High turnover rate continues to plague DSS
- CMS: CMS Seeks Feedback on Performance of Medicaid Funded Home and Community-Based Services
- Administration for Community Living: Emergency Preparedness: Even More Important During COVID-19
- CQL:
- The DSP Crisis: Workforce Issues
- Excellence in Direct Support
- Empowering the DSP Workforce
- Frontline Initiative: Making a Career in Direct Support
- FDIC: Teaching Children About Money Now, Pays Dividends Later Set them on a path toward a solid financial future
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- DHHS:
- September 18, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Recording of Friday’s Membership Webinar and Written Update
- DHHS:
- Medical Care Advisory Committee (MCAC) Meeting Handouts and Presentations
- Stakeholder Updates: September 18, 2020
- NIHCM:
- Differences in Suicide Risk Among Subgroups of Sexual and Gender Minority College Students
- Brief Suicide Prevention Interventions in Acute Care Settings May Reduce Subsequent Suicide Attempts
- National Council for Behavioral Health: Advancing Trauma-informed Communities
- CDC: Now Available: 2020 Change Review Process
- IRS:
- Important things all extension filers should remember
- IRS expands tax help into more languages; Form 1040 offered in Spanish
- Small Business Week to begin September 22, 2020
- Taxpayers need to report side income
- IRS provides guidance to marijuana industry
- IRS approves digital signatures for certain forms
- IRS posts new video on how to complete cash transaction report
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- September 17, 2020:
- Reminder: Dave Richard Joins Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar
- DHHS: Survey on the Olmstead Act Plan is Open
- NCTracks:
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #131: Temporary Rate Increase for Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Centers
- Two New Medicaid Bulletins Available as of Sept. 15, 2020
- Coverage for Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer
- Procedures for Prior Authorization of Synagis® (palivizumab) for Respiratory Syncytial Virus Season 2020/2021
- RHIhub This Week: Community Health Workers Toolkit
- CMS:
- CMS Releases Medicaid and CHIP T-MSIS Data to Provide Public Access and Transparency into Program Performance
- Fact Sheets: Additional Medicaid and CHIP T-MSIS Analytic Files Data Release
- Child Welfare Information Gateway:
- Child Welfare Workforce Development Month Resources
- NEW Podcast: “Supporting Parenting and Expectant Teens in Foster Care”
- Thriving Families, Safer Children: A National Commitment to Well-Being
- The Importance of a Trauma-Informed Child Welfare System
- Numbers and Trends Series Update
- In This Month’s CBX: The Moment Is Now
- Updates From Capacity Building Center for States
- Discover the Power of Simulation Training
- Upcoming Conferences
- NIH:
- New Factsheet About Binge Drinking From the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health – September 2020
- Brain scans may help predict response to OCD therapies
- FFTA: Innovative Practice Collaborative (IPC)
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- September 15, 2020:
- Benchmarks: Dave Richard, Deputy Secretary-NC Medicaid, joins Karen McLeod this week for Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar
- DHHS:
- NCDHHS-Covered Services Available to Help NC Residents Isolate or Quarantine
- Town Hall Meeting with Deputy Secretary Kinsley and Director Armstrong
- Liberty Healthcare Executive Director Transition
- NCTracks: Individual Provider Applications Returned for Request of Transcripts; New NCTracks Provider Data Collection FAQs
- CMS: CMS Issues New Roadmap for States to Accelerate Adoption of Value-Based Care to Improve Quality of Care for Medicaid Beneficiaries
- Child Welfare Information Gateway:
- NC: Human trafficking exploits vulnerable populations (Commentary)
- NC: There’s a Simple Solution to End Child Marriage in North Carolina
- Oregon Resource Association: The Cost of Compassion Video
- NIHCM: Protecting Our Children: COVID-19’s Impact on Early Childhood and ACEs: Webinar Recording
- ACF: First-of-its-Kind National Partnership Aims to Redesign Child Welfare Into Child- and Family Well-Being Systems
- CDC/ACF: STOP SV: A Technical Package to Prevent Sexual Violence
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- September 11, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Recording of Thursday’s Child Welfare Webinar and Written Friday Update
- DHHS:
- Stakeholder Updates for September 10, 2020
- Special Bulletin Reminder: Provider Relief Fund Deadline is Sunday, September 13.
- NCTracks:
- Supporting Documentation Request Information and Current Employment in Work History for Individual Applications
- RHI/HRSA:
- HHS Rural Action Plan to Improve Care
- AJPH: A Public Health Lens on Rural Health
- NCSL on State Strategies to Reverse Suicide Trends
- HHS Coronavirus Data Hub
- CMS Coronavirus Stakeholder Calls
- Federal Office of Rural Health Policy FAQs for COVID-19
- COVID-19 FAQs and Funding for HRSA Programs
- Confirmed COVID-19 Cases, Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Counties
- Rural Response to Coronavirus Disease 2019
- SAMHSA Training and Technical Assistance Related to COVID-19
- CMS: CMS Care Compare Empowers Patients When Making Important Health Care Decisions
- NIH:
- National Suicide Prevention Month
- Factors that Affect Depression Risk
- National Law Review:
- IRS Issues Guidance on Deferral of Certain Employee Payroll Taxes
- Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination: Is It Legal and Is It Right for Your Workplace?
- Child Trends: Implications of COVID-19 on the Research and Evaluation Provisions of the Family First Act
- Haven House Video
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- September 9, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Child Welfare Meeting with Karen McLeod & Lisa Cauley Tomorrow
- Benchmarks WILL NOT be holding our Friday Membership Webinar this week
- DHHS: Olmstead Planning Survey Open Now
- NCTracks:
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #129: Reporting Requirements and Financial Support to Nursing Homes under Secretarial Order No.2
- New Medicaid Bulletin Available as of Sept. 8, 2020
- RHIhub: FCC: Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission
- CMS: CMS, ACL Publish Joint Discharge Planning Tool:
Maintaining Services for Adults with Disabilities Who Live in Community Settings - DOL: Back to School and Paid Leave
- Munk Debate Podcast
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- September 4, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Friday Update and Webinar Recording
- DHHS:
- NCDHHS Launches New Public Campaign, Urging North Carolinians to “Get Behind the Mask”
- September is Suicide Prevention Month
- Recording from LME/MCO & DHHS Joint Listening Session with Residential Providers: September 3, 2020
- DHHS/NC AHEC: COVID-19 Update for Long Term Care Settings Recording: September 3, 2020
- Dear Director Letter: VIRTUAL TIPS-MAPP PRE-SERVICE AND REQUIRED TRAINING
- Rural Health:
- Deadline for COVID-Related Provider Relief Fund Extended to September 13
- Three Federal Departments Team Up for Rural Health Initiative
- HHS Coronavirus Data Hub
- Federal Office of Rural Health Policy FAQs for COVID-19
- COVID-19 FAQs and Funding for HRSA Programs
- CDC COVID-19 Updates
- Confirmed COVID-19 Cases, Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Counties
- Rural Response to Coronavirus Disease 2019
- SAMHSA Training and Technical Assistance Related to COVID-19
- NCTracks: Influenza Vaccine and Reimbursement Guidelines for 2020-2021 for Medicaid and NC Health Choice
- Child Welfare Information Gateway: DSS official acknowledged problems after 9-year-old found in hotel with 150 used needles
- Fostering Heatlh NC: Survey Request
- White House: “Recovery at Work” Roundtable Includes Powerful Testimony by Larry Kudlow
- US DOJ: Human Trafficking News & Information
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- September 3, 2020:
- Special Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar Tomorrow
- DHHS:
- Stakeholder Updates
- Statement from NCDHHS on Medicaid Managed Care Ruling
- Announcement Re: Reimbursing COVID-19 Testing Costs
- Joint Communication Bulletin #373: Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Fidelity Evaluation Protocol Update
- DHHS September 1, 2020 Press Briefing Slide Deck
- NCTracks:
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #127: Antigen Testing Guidance
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #128: NC Medicaid Optional COVID-19 Testing Program Online Applications Available
- August Pharmacy Newsletter Now Available
- DHHS Office of Rural Health:
- Take the Next Step in your Career with the NHSC Students to Service Loan Repayment Program
- NC Rural Center:
- Rural Development Hubs PowerPoint Presentation
- Rural Development Hubs webinar now available to watch on YouTube!
- Rural Development Hubs Report
- Child Welfare Information Gateway:
- The Importance of a Trauma-Informed Child Welfare System
- Eliada expanding foster care to Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties
- ‘A sanctuary state for statutory rape’: Group wants to end child marriage in NC (Includes video)
- Nation’s Top Child Advocacy Organization, The Children’s Defense Fund, Announces Historic Leadership Change (Press release)
- IRS:
- Guidance issued to implement Presidential Memorandum deferring certain employee Social Security tax withholding
- 13.9 million Americans receiving IRS tax refund interest
- IRS reminds taxpayers that unemployment compensation is taxable; Have tax withheld now and avoid a tax-time surprise
- North Carolina’s Certified Peer Support Specialist Program Seeks Public Comment
- National Disability Institute: Economic Impact Payments: What you Need to Know
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- September 1, 2020:
- DHHS:
- NCDHHS Selects Vendors to Supervise 250+ New Community Health Workers in 50 Counties with COVID-19 Hot Spots
- Suicide Awareness Facebook Townhall on Veteran Suicide
- NCTracks: Gattex for Short Bowel Syndrome and New Drug Class for Selective Constipation Agents
- CDC: New Web Page on How to Select, Wear, and Clean Your Mask
- NACBH:
- CMS Finds That Some QRTPs are Excluded IMDs
- 988 Will Be New Three-Digit Number for National Suicide Prevention Hotline
- Family First: Prevention Clearinghouse Posts Newly Reviewed Interventions
- Four Months of Weekly Garden-Themed Lessons and Activities
- USDOL: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ISSUES FOUR NEW WAGE AND HOUR OPINION LETTERS
- EEOC: EEOC Addresses Opioid Discrimination in the Workplace
- New Hanover County: New Hanover County Appoints Donna Fayko as Health and Human Services Agency Director
- Disability Scoop: Ed Department Says Transition Services Must Continue During Pandemic
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- DHHS:
- August 28, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Update
& Recording: August 28, 2020 - DHHS Stakeholder Updates
- NCTracks:
- Sept. Provider Training Now Available
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #125: Webinar on Updated CDC Dental Guidance
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #126: New Deadline for Medicaid Providers Applying for Federal Relief Funds
- NCHealthConnex:
- NC HealthConnex Receiving LabCorp and Quest Test Results
- NC*Notify Service Enhanced
- Are You Taking Advantage of Your Connection to NC HealthConnex?
- Child Welfare Information Gateway:
- U.S. Secretary of HUD Dr. Ben Carson, Rep. Richard Hudson visit Kannapolis for affordable housing roundtable (Video)
- NASW Working to Incorporate Knowledge of Adolescent Brain Function
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Update
- August 27, 2020:
- Register for Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar
- DHHS:
- ¡Recuerda las 3Ms! (Know your 3Ms)
- Stakeholder Announcement Re: Child Care
- NCTracks:
- The NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB) has recently published four new Medicaid Bulletin articles dated Aug. 25, 2020
- Reminder: NCTracks Call Center Closed Monday & Checkwrite Info for Labor Day Holiday
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #123: Temporary rate increase for Local Health Department Dental Services
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #124: Reprocessing Claims to Apply Retroactive 5% Rate Increase for Medicaid Providers Covered in SL 2020-4
- Attention IDD Providers: National Core Indicators™ (NCI) Staff Stability Survey for 2019 Available
- Public Schools: NC Social Emotional Learning Stakeholder Input Opportunity for Youth Ages 14-18
- RHIhub:
- Webinar Recording: Introducing the Social Determinants of Health in Rural Communities Toolkit
- Addressing Opioid Use in Rural Communities: Examples from Critical Access Hospitals
- Rural Crosswalk: CMS Flexibilities to Fight COVID-19
- Peer VOICE NC’s is pleased to share our “MY5NC Challenge”
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- August 25, 2020:
- Register for Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar
- DHHS: Latest Stakeholder Updates
- Partners: Listening Session with Child Residential and Therapeutic Foster Care Providers, LME-MCOs and DMHDDSAS
- Children’s Bureau: New federal data: fewer kids in US foster care system-AFCARS
- CDC: Percentage of Visits for Influenza-Like Illnesses (ILI) by Age Group Reported by A Subset of ILINet Providers
- COA/Alliance Merger Announcement
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- August 21, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar Recording and Written Update
- DHHS: DSS-DCDL Resource Parent Curriculum (RPC) Staff Facilitator Opportunity
- RHIhub:
- #RuralHealthChat: Preparing Rural Healthcare Systems for COVID-19 Surge
- Rural Data Explorer
- CMS: Trump Administration Issues Joint Informational Bulletin Intended to Improve Health and Housing Outcomes for Older Adults and People with a Disability in Rural America
- USHHS: HHS Releases Healthy People 2030 with National Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Objectives for the Next Decade
- HRSA: Health Professional Shortage Area Scoring Criteria Request for Information (RFI)
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Children and COVID-19: State-Level Data Report
Critical Updates on COVID-19 - National Disability Institute: Race, Ethnicity and Disability: The Financial Impact of Systemic Inequality and Intersectionality
- Relias Free E-Book: Creating a Trauma-Informed System of Care
- Center of Excellence for Integrated Health Solutions Webinar
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- August 20, 2020:
- TOMORROW: Benchmarks’ Friday Webinar-Dave Richard Joins Us
- NCGA: HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON COVID-19
August 20, 2020 Presentations - NCTracks: Medicaid Bulletin #122 and Two New Medicaid Bulletins Now Available
- PHI: The Direct Care Worker Story Project
- National Law Review:
- Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Process Underway
- 10 Keys to Excise Tax on Executive Compensation Paid by Tax-Exempt Organizations
- Child Welfare Information Gateway:
- AI Algorithm May Help ID Homeless Youth at Risk for Substance Abuse
- Using New Tools to Stay Connected
- New Resources to Support Virtual and Remote Workforce Needs
- “All-In” Foster Adoption Challenge Update
- NEW on the Podcast: Creating a Family First Prevention Plan
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- August 18, 2020:
- Dave Richard Joins Benchmarks’ for our Friday Webinar
- August 18, 2020:
- DHHS:
- Stakeholder Engagement and Latest Updates
- Joint Communication Bulletin #372: IDD Medicaid and State-Funded Service Delivery During School Hours
- NC Medicaid Will Cover COVID-19 Testing Costs for the Uninsured
- Upcoming Virtual Suicide Awareness Townhall
- NCI Staff Stability Survey
- CDC:
- Duration of Isolation and Precautions for Adults with COVID-19
- Interim Guidance for Rapid Antigen Testing for SARS-CoV-2
- Coping with Stress
- Hand Hygiene
- Guidance for General Laboratory Safety Practices during the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Children’s Bureau Express: The Moment Is Now
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- DHHS:
- August 14, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Update and Recording
- DHHS:
- Extension of deadline for immunizations and health assessments
- Joint Communication Bulletin #371: Multisystemic Therapy (MST) Services Eligibility
- NCTracks:
- Requirements for SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Test Reporting
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #121: Executive Order Extends School Immunization, Health Assessment Deadlines
- Pharmacy Quantity Prescribed Field Soon to be Captured in NCTracks System
- Open Minds: The Opioid crisis and strategies to optimize your MAT Modality – Free White Paper
- Upcoming Events
- Links for LME/MCOs
- August 12, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Will Be Holding Our Friday Membership Webinar This Week
- Benchmarks Will Hold Our Child Welfare Webinar The Second Thursday Of Each Month, Beginning on September 10, 2020
- Important Action Alert
- DHHS:
- Press Releases
- New HUD Resources
- New Graphics
- Updated Guidance
- Updated Reports
- CARES Act Provider Relief Fund
- NCTracks:
- NCTracks System Changes Now In Effect and Updated Resources on Changes Available
- Work History in Individual Provider Applications
- ACF: Submission for OMB Review; Center for States Evaluation Ancillary Data Collection (0970-0501) (Press release)
- MACPAC: Child and Adult Core Set Quality Measure Dashboard
- CMS: Press Release: Trump Administration Announces Initiative to Transform Rural Health
- USDA: USDA Announces More Specialty Crops, Nursery Crops, Cut Flowers Eligible for CFAP Payments
- Alliance Recording: Children’s Bureau Joins Alliance Members for Conversation on the Future of Child Welfare
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- August 11, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Will Be Holding Our Friday Membership Webinar This Week
- Benchmarks Will Hold Our Child Welfare Webinar The Second Thursday Of Each Month, Beginning on September 10, 2020
- DHHS:
- Innovations and Other Medicaid Clinical Coverage Policies Up for Public Comment
- IRIS Unavailable on Wednesday, August 12th from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m.
- From DSS: DCDL Guidance to Local Department of Social Services on Return to School for Children and Youth
- Office of Rural Health: BAND-NC
A grant program designed to help communities implement digital inclusion projects in their county.
- Farris Foundation Notice of Funding Availability
- CDC: COVID-19 Communication Plan for Select Non-healthcare Critical Infrastructure Employers
- EEOC:
- Use of Codeine, Oxycodone, and Other Opioids: Information for Employees
- How Health Care Providers Can Help Current and Former Patients Who Have Used Opioids Stay Employed
- USDA: USDA to Host Farmers to Families Food Box Program Webinar on August 12 with Details about Solicitation Amendment
- DisabilityScoop: Millions Awarded In Rental Assistance For People With Disabilities
- ACL:New Publication: Voluntary Guidelines on Respite Care
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- August 7, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Thursday Child Welfare Webinar Recording and SlideDeck
- Benchmarks’ Friday Written Update
- DHHS:
- Special Bulletin:SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #118: New Opportunities for Medicaid Providers Applying for Federal Relief Funds.
- Update on Policies for Public Comment
- Long Term Care Settings Webinar August 6, 2020, Recording and Slide Deck
- Peer Run Wellness Center Grant Opportunity
- Olmstead Plan Listening Sessions
- NCTracks:
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #118: New Opportunities for Medicaid Providers Applying for Federal Relief Funds
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #119: NC Medicaid Extends Temporary Clinical Coverage Policy Provisions and Temporary Rate Enhancements
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #120: Keeping Kids Well Program: Improving Well-Child Visit and Immunization Rates Across NC
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- August 5, 2020:
- DHHS:
- Stakeholder Updates:
- COVID-19 Hospitalization Data Correction
- NCDHHS COVID-19 Community Testing Events Continue;
- No Cost for Testing
- (Governor): DHHS Releases Request for Applications for Innovative COVID-19 Support Service Program
- NCDHHS Announces Annual Participation in USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program
- Social media images
- Community Testing Events
- Antigen Guidance
- School Guidance
- Face Coverings
- Clinical Policies Posted for Public Comment
- Joint Communication Bulletin re: 42 CFR Part 2
- NCTracks:
- Labor Day Schedule
- Special Bulletin #117: RFAs for Communities
- HCPCS Code Update
- EHR Incentive Program
- CDC:
- Promising Practices
- Contact Tracing
- Toolkit for Schools
- Interim Guidelines for Antibody Testing
- One-Stop Shop Toolkits
- Data/Statistics
- CMS:
- Proposal: Telehealth Expansions Permanent
- Patients Over Paperwork
- Public Comments:
- Fact sheet on the CY 2021 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule
- Fact sheet on the CY 2021 Quality Payment Program proposed rule
- Fact sheet Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program
- To view the CY 2021 Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program proposed rule
- DOJ: 35 million to provide housing for victims of Human Trafficking
- Upcoming Events
- Links to LME/MCO
- Stakeholder Updates:
- DHHS:
- August 3, 2020:
- Benchmarks WILL hold our Thursday Child Welfare Webinar on August 6, 2020. We will NOT hold our Friday Membership Webinar on the 7th.
- NCDHHS:
- Request for Applications to support communities being hard hit by COVID-19
- RFI for IRIS
- North Carolina Broadband Survey
- HRSA: Additional Extension: CARES Act Provider Relief Fund for Medicaid, CHIP, and Dental Providers
- National Law Review: A Vaccine is Coming: Can Employers Require Employees to Take it?
- White House: From First Lady, Melania Trump: ‘Be Best’ is Advocating that Every Child Find a Loving, Safe and Forever Family
- OpenMinds: New Standards, Old Challenges: The Outlook For Child Welfare Organizations
- National Center on Law & Elder Rights
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- July 31, 2020:
- Happy Birthday, Ms. Karen McLeod!!!!
- Benchmarks WILL hold our Thursday Child Welfare Webinar on August 6, 2020. We will NOT hold our Friday Membership Webinar on the 7th.
- Benchmarks’ Friday Update and Recording Featuring Dave Richard and Karen McLeod
- NC Latest Numbers
- Distance Learning
- Education Federal Funding
- Food Insecurity
- Court Orders
- Juvenile Detention
- NC Utility Cut Offs
- HEALS Act vs HEROEs Act Wrestling Match Explained
- DHHS
- Olmstead Plam Listening Session Dates
- SCFAC: SA Vacancy Reposting-Last 2 Weeks to Nominate
- Sharing the SCOOP on managing stress
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- July 30, 2020:
- Benchmarks WILL Be Holding Our Friday Membership Webinar Tomorrow. Dave Richard Will Be Joining Us
- DHHS Announcements:
- DSS Letter on COVID-19 Recovery Act Funds
- Stakeholder Updates
- Re-Opening Schools-Exceptional Children Division Statement
- NC Department of Information Technology
Feasibility Study Recommends Ways to Increase Access to Broadband, Telehealth Services in Western N.C.
- NCTracks
- Details on Delayed Implementation for New Information Required in Applications for Individual Providers
- New Clinical Coverage Policies Bulletin
- July Pharmacy Newsletter Now Available
- Rural Health Information Hub
- “It’s on Us”: Healthcare’s Unique Position in the Response to Human Trafficking
- Rural Healthcare Surge Readiness
- Annie E. Casey: 2020 KIDS COUNT Data Book
- IRS e-News for Small Business Issue 13
- Temporary suspension of limits on charitable contributions
- Temporary increase in limits on contributions of food inventory
- IRS tax help available for those who filed an extension
- IRS advice for those who didn’t file an extension
- Businesses filing cash transaction reports have e-file option
- IRS Form 7200 fax line
- IRS Freedom of Information Library
- FEMA Launches New Website
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- July 27, 2020:
- NC DHHS Stakeholder Update:
- RFA for organizations who can directly provide or coordinate for the provision of NCDHHS-funded social supports to enable individuals who are directed to quarantine or isolate due to COVID-19 to effectively and safely do so.
- Press Releases
- Updated Links
- Repost: Video of Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Update
- NC DSS Child Welfare: COVID-19 Supplemental Pay for Foster Families
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- NC DHHS Stakeholder Update:
- July 24, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Friday Update
- NCTracks:
- Upcoming NCTracks System Changes Delayed
- August 2020 Provider Training Schedule
- Training Enrollment Instructions
- Special Bulletins #115-#116 Available
- ACL Focus Group Participants Needed
- Human Services Research Institute: International Survey – Impact of COVID-19 on People with IDD and Caregivers
- Federal Register Public Comments:
- HHS: Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
- HHS: Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
- Medicare and Medicaid Programs; CY 2021 Home Health Prospective Payment System Rate Update; Home Health Quality Reporting Requirements; and Home Infusion Therapy Services Requirements
- Health Affairs: Early Impact Of CMS Expansion Of Medicare Telehealth During COVID-19
- ScholarWorks: America at a glance: COVID-19 and disability in rural areas
- CDC:
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Rural Communities
- Natural Disasters, Severe Weather, and COVID-19
- The Importance of Reopening America’s Schools this Fall
- US DHHS: HHS Protect Public Data Hub
- US HHS Telemedicine Hack Training
- Child Welfare Information Gateway:
- Coronavirus Makes for Unique Congressional Internship for Foster Youth
- Ethical Casework Practice
- Ethics in Adoption
- Working With Diverse Populations in Adoption
- 13 Activities to Make the Most Out of Video Chats With Kids
- Using Media Effectively with Young Children and Virtual Visitation
- APA: Rural-Urban Mental Health Disparities in the United States During COVID-19
- CQL: Let’s Extend National DSP Recognition Week by 51 Weeks
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- July 22, 2020:
- DHHS:
- Joint NC DMHDDSAS and DHB (NC Medicaid) COVID-19 Update for NC Providers Webinar on Thursday
- FCC Designates ‘988’ As 3-Digit Number For National Suicide Prevention Hotline
- JCB #369: North Carolina Supports Needs Assessment Profile: Initial and Annual Assessment
- DSS Child Welfare Section Executive Management Directory
- NCTracks:
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #114 Now Available
- Three New Medicaid Bulletins Available as of July 21, 2020
- Rural Health: North Carolina’s HIE Delivers Real-time Patient Alerts to Providers
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- DHHS:
- July 21, 2020:
- HRSA: Provider Relief Funds Webinars
- DHHS:
- New Provider Relief Fund Deadline
- HCBS Stakeholder Updates
- NCTracks:
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #113: Deadline Extended for Federal Provider Relief Funds for Medicaid Providers
- Updated FAQs Now Available About New Information Required in Applications for Individual Providers
- Additional Training Resources Coming on New Information Required in Applications for Individual Providers
- CDC Resources
- DRNC: Public Comment
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- July 17, 2020:
- DHHS:
- ASAM Training
- New Tool in Spanish
- Provider Relief Fund Updates
- COVID-19 Response Items
- NCTracks:
- Provider Training Available
- Special Bulletins #111 and #112
- North Carolina Families United Youth Exposition
- CMS: HCBS Regulations Extended
- CDC:
- Natural Disasters and Covid Response Site
- Factsheets for Young Adults
- IRS:
- Self-Employed Economic Impact Payments
- Guidance on Reporting Qualified Sick and Family Leave Wages Paid
- Dept of Labor: Savings Matters Resources
- CWIG Updates
- Hearts of Glass Movie Showings
- Health Affairs: How States are Facilitating Medicaid Enrollment During COVID
- Roll Call: Medicaid Enrollment Increase Puts Pressure on State Budgets
- Upcoming Events
- Links to LME/MCOs
- DHHS:
- July 14, 2020:
- NO Benchmarks’ Webinars This Week
- DHHS: Stakeholder Updates
- NCTracks: Medicaid Bulletin #110
- CDC: One-Stop Shop Toolkits
- HUD: Humans of HUD
- National Law Review:
- In Historic Decision, U.S. Supreme Court Rules Title VII Prohibits LGBTQ Employment Discrimination
- U.S. Supreme Court Adopts Broad Interpretation of the “Ministerial Exception,” Protecting Religious Schools Against Employment Discrimination Claims (US)
- AADMD: COVID-19 Healthcare Guidelines- The American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry
- CQL: It’s National Disability Voter Registration Week!
- Parker Poe: Paycheck Protection Program: Top Five Practical Tips for Business Leaders
- Child Welfare Information Gateway: US: America loses champion for a child-centered child welfare system (Opinion)
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- July 10, 2020:
- NO Benchmarks’ Webinars Next Week
- Friday Membership Update and Recording
- DHHS:
- RFP Community Health Workers
- July Community Engagement and Empowerment Update
- NCTracks
- Medicaid Bulletins #105 thru #106
- Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive
- Free Testing Initiative
- Medicaid Bulletins #107-#109
- Training for Required Information on Applications
- AHEC: Recording and Slides from Update for Long Term Care Settings Webinar
- CMS: Medicaid Managed Care Rate Development Guide
- USDA: Atlas of Rural and Small-Town America
- HIT: Variatation in Methods of Health Information Management among SA Treatment Centers
- FFTA: Conference and Webinar
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- July 8, 2020:
- DHHS:
- Additional Flexibilities During COVID
- Free Testing Initiative
- CMS: FAQ for State Medicaid and CHIP
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- DHHS:
- July 7, 2020:
- Benchmark’ WILL Be Holding Our Friday Membership Webinar This Week
- NCTracks Provider Update:
- NCCARE360
- Improved App for Medicaid and Food & Nutrition
- First Vendors Selected for Testing and Tracing
- When Should I Be Tested Resource
- Spanish StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit
- New Dates Added to Pop-Up Testing Sites
- DHHS COVID-19 Dashboard Updates
- Archived Dental Webinars
- Billing Code Updates
- Provider Resources with New Information on Applications for Individual Providers Enrolling in Medicaid and NC Health Choice
- DHHS:
- Prevent and Protect Campaign
- Public Comment for Telehealth/Telepsychiatry
- Restrictive Intervention Training During Pandemic
- NIH Pandemic Study
- CMS:
- New Office of Burden Reduction and Health Informatics
- COVID-19 Data Snapshot and Call to Action on SDOH
- White House: First Lady’s Rountable on Foster Care/Child Welfare
- HRSA: Provider Relief Fund Medicaid and CHIP Distribution Information
- Direct Support Workforce National Survey Results
- Senate and House Advance PPP Extension
- OCR Relaxed HIPAA
- NCCDD Five-Year Plan Request for Input and Nominations for Advocacy/Leadership Awards
- Upcoming Events
- Links to LME/MCO Websites
- June 26, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Will NOT Be Holding Webinars Next Week or Sending Email Updates
- Benchmarks’ Friday Update and Recording
- NCTracks Updates
- Living Arrangement Code for Federal Incarceration
- New Taxonomy Codes
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #103: Telehealth and Virtual Patient Communications Clinical Policy Modifications – Nursing Facility Care
- NC Medicaid Telehealth Billing Codes Summary Updated
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Updates
- Happy 4th of July/Independence Day
- June 25, 2020:
- DHHS Visitation Guidance
- DHHS COVID-19 Preventive Materials
- Gov. Cooper Issues Phase 2 Extension and Executive Order #147
- President Trump Signs Executive Order Expanding HHS Efforts to Help Foster Children
- PPP Funds Still Available…Must Apply By June 30, 2020
- PPP Flexibility Act
- IRS Issues Proposed Regulations for Tax-Exempt Organizations Paying Excess Executive Compensation
- The Joint Commission COVID Resources
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Updates
- June 24, 2020:
- Medicaid Providers May Be Eligible for Federal Relief Funds
- DHHS Provider Webinar Registration
- Community Engagement Survey
- NCFast ePASS Information
- NCTracks Updates
- Lab Codes for Coronavirus Testing
- Call Center Closed for Holiday
- No Checkwrite June 30
- Issue with Checkwrite
- Checkwrite Issue Resolved
- Haven House Coffee Chat
- CQL Remote Supports
- Reminder: Participate in Social Media Campaign
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- June 22, 2020:
- Call for Support on Transportation Funding
- DHHS: COVID-19 Updates
- NC Tracks Latest Updates
- Benchmarks WILL be Holding Friday Membership Webinar
- Benchmarks WILL NOT be Holding Thursday Child Welfare Webinar
- Benchmarks WILL NOT be Holding ANY Webinars Next Week
- Reminder: Participate in Social Media Campaign
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Links
- June 19, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Webinar Recording and Written Update
- MCAC Presentations
- NCTracks Latest Updates
- Eliada Press Release for Equine Assisted Therapy Program
- Parker Poe: Paycheck Protection Update Webinar Details
- Children’s Home Society Press Release Regarding NC Foster Care
- The Joint Commission Webinar Recording
- Reminder: Participate in Social Media Campaign
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Updates
- June 17, 2020:
- Benchmarks WILL Hold Our Friday Membership Webinar
- Sec. Cohen’s Presentation to the House Health Committee
- DHHS COVID-19 Updates
- NCTracks Latest Updates
- Hylant Liability Concerns Webinar Announcement
- IRS Small Business E-News
- CMS Updates
- Benchmarks’ Reminder to Participate in Social Media Campaign
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Updates
- June 15, 2020:
- DHHS Hosting Two Stakeholder Calls
- Clinical Policy-Outpatient
- Opioid Treatment
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Updates/Highlights
- DHHS Hosting Two Stakeholder Calls
- June 12, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Update and Recording
- NCTracks
- SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #98 – COVID-19 Knowledge Center Now Available: A Convenient Way for Providers to Find Information
- New Medicaid Bulletin – Tailored Care Management Update
- Annual Provider Survey Deadline Extended
- DHHS: DMHDDSAS Virtual Town Hall Meeting on Suicide Prevention
- Center for Public Representation: Resolution of Federal Complaint Filed by CPR and Partners Makes Clear Hospital Visitor Policies Nationwide Must Accommodate Patients with Disabilities During COVID-19 Pandemic
- Disability Scoop: Trump Administration Releases Aid For Disability Service Providers
- Benchmarks’ Reminder to Support Social Media Campaign
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Updates/Highlights
- June 10, 2020:
- DHHS Joint Call with Providers-Focused on Appendix K and Innovations Waiver Retention Payments
- June 10, 2020:
- Benchmarks will NOT be holding our Thursday Child Welfare Webinar
- Benchmarks WILL be holding our Friday Membership Webinar
- NCTracks
- New Information Required for Medicaid Enrollment
- Free Webinar for Dental Offices
- Medicaid Bulletin: Clinician and Lab Guidance
- DHHS Updates on Who Should Be Tested
- Tailored Care Management Updates
- Secretary Cohen’s Presentation to the Health House Committee
- HHS Announces Enhanced Provider Portal, Relief Fund Payments for Safety Net Hospitals, Medicaid & CHIP Providers
- HUD Announces New Grants for Foster Youth to Independence Program
- Surgical Mask for Purchase by National Council Members Only
- Reminder: Social Media Campaign
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Updates
- June 9, 2020:
- DSS Dear Director Letter & Guidance for In-Person Visitation
- NCTracks
- Maintaining Eligibility
- Medicaid Bulletin #95
- Spotlight on National Reunification Month
- Reminder-Social Media Campaign
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Updates
- June 5, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Written Friday Update
- Recording from Benchmarks’ Thursday Child Welfare Webinar
- Reminder to Support Social Media Campaign
- Updates and Announcements
- P-EBT Guidance
- NCTracks
- CMS-Alternative Care Sites
- CDC HCBS Providers
- Parker Poe PPP
- National Council
- Training for I/DD Providers
- Upcoming Events
- June 3, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Webinar This Week
- We ARE Holding The Child Welfare Webinar
- We ARE NOT Holding The Friday Morning Membership Webinar
- Benchmarks’ Webinar This Week
- June 3, 2020:
- DHHS Announcements
- Press Release on Testing and Tracing
- Update on RFQ
- Increase in Therapeutic Leave Days for ICF/IDD Facilities
- NCTracks Updates
- Medicaid Bulletins #91-94
- Annual Provider Survey
- Provider RA Issue
- Benchmarks: Please Participate in #FaceOfTheFrontline Campaign
- Updates to Upcoming Events and Webinars
- DHHS Announcements
- June 1, 2020:
- DHHS Announcements
- Safe Space-Call today at 2pm
- Toll-Free: 844-291-5495; Access Code: 1279313
- RFP Testing & Tracing
- Safe Space-Call today at 2pm
- Upcoming Events
- DHHS Announcements
- May 29, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Update and Recording
- Upcoming Events
- Updates and Announcements
- DHHS Update Re: Historically Marginalized Populations
- NCTracks
- Pharmacy
- Beneficiary Notices of Adverse Determination
- Fostering Health Call for Provider Participation
- CDC Guidance
- IRS Small Business News
- LME/MCO Updates
- May 27, 2020:
- Thursday DHHS Call with Providers-Registration Details
- May 27, 2020:
- NCTracks Update and Survey
- DHHS COVID-19 Update
- Promise Resource Network Schedule
- Joint Commission Q & A Webinar
- Person-Centered Planning Health Passport Video
- I/DD Resources from June Isaacson Kailes
- Upcoming Events and Webinars
- Benchmarks’ N&O Campaign
- May 27, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ News & Observer Campaign
- May 22, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Friday Update and Recording
- NCTracks Updates
- DHHS Survey
- Harvard Law School Project on Disability
- Wellness Self-,Management for Crisis
- Institute for Community Inclusion Updates
- Foster Family Resources
- Adopting Children with Disabilities
- Applied Behavior Analysis Resources
- Upcoming Events
- LME/MCO Updates
- May 21, 2020:
- Remembering Bob Hensley
- May 20, 2020:
- DHHS Provider Call on Thursday at 3:00 pm
- May 19, 2020:
- NCTracks Update
- May 15, 2020:
- Friday Collection
- May 14, 2020:
- Thursday Updates
- Upcoming Meetings and Events
- DHHS Updates
- State CFAC Vacancies
- Inclusive Education
- State Updates to MCAC
- Free Face Shield Opportunity
- IRS Updates
- Alliance for Families Barbership Webinar
- LME/MCO Updates
- Thursday Updates
- May 13, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Thursday Child Welfare Webinar CANCELLED
- DHHS Announcements
- PPE Requests
- Summary of Governor & Secretary’s Press Briefing
- DMH/DD/SAS Update
- NCTracks Update Includes CAP Waiver Approval
- The Joint Commission Free Webinar for Child Welfare Organizations
- CapGrow: Q&A with Sean Luechtefeld from ANCOR
- May 12, 2020:
- Tuesday Collection
- Upcoming Meetings, Calls & Webinars
- DHHS Updates
- NCTracks Announcements (#86-88)
- US Dept of Labor Re: Unemployment
- USDA Farmers to Families Food Box Program
- National Law Review
- PPP Update
- EEOC Re: Reasonable Accommodations for High Risk Employees
- LME/MCO Updates
- NC ABLE Newsletter
- Alliance for Strong Families Podcast
- Tuesday Collection
- May 11, 2020:
- Hand Sanitizer Resources through NC Distilleries
- May 8, 2020:
- Friday Collection
- Benchmarks’ Friday Membership Update & Recording
- Benchmarks’ Child Welfare Webinar Recording
- Upcoming Meetings, Calls, & Webinars
- DHHS Recordings for Calls & Webinars
- HIE Update
- P-EBT FAQs
- LME/MCO Announcements & Updates
- Parker Poe Highlights
- Spotlight on National Foster Care Month
- Friday Collection
- May 7, 2020:
- Updated Registration Link for DHHS Webinar with Providers
- May 7, 2020:
- Upcoming Meetings and Events
- Updates from DHHS re: NC Phases and ADA
- May 5, 2020:
- COVID-19 Budget Update
- Upcoming Meetings and Events
- NCTracks Updates
- Special Bulletins
- May 1, 2020:
- Friday Update and Recording
- Upcoming Calendar of Events
- Special Bulletin Updates
- LME/MCO Updates
- NCHA Fill The Gap Fund Opportunity
- Parker Poe Employ News
- N&O Hero Nominations
- April 30, 2020:
- Seymour Johnson’s F-15E Strike Eagle Flyover
- April 30, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Child Welfare Webinar Recording
- Upcoming Meetings/Webinar Updated
- DHHS: Requesting PPE
- Cardinal Update
- Eastpointe: JCB #362 Budget Limit for Supported Living III
- Trillium Update
- FAQs for Guardians
- Financial Resilience Center for I/DD
- USDA Recording of Farmers to Families Food Box Purchase Program
- MTM Free Short Video Series for Providers
- April 29, 2020:
- HRSA COVID-19 Uninsured Portal
- Updates to Special Bulletins
- Members Welcome to Public Health Webinars
- NCTracks Training Available
- Eastpointe Update Re: Credentialing
- CHA COVID-19 Screening Tools
- Tip Sheets for Families
- April 29, 2020:
- Updated Meetings and Webinars This Week
- April 28, 2020:
- Urgent Call to Action to NC Legislators
- DHHS Announcement
- LME/MCO Updates
- April 27, 2020:
- Meetings and Webinars This Week
- LME/MCO Updates
- April 24, 2020:
- Kody Kinsley: Suspending COVID Related Copays & Extending Due Dates
- Graybeard Distillery (Durham) Sells Hand Sanitizer for $50 Per Gallon-Must Pick Up
- April 24, 2020:
- Personal Protective Equipment Survey
- Benchmarks’ Written and Recorded Membership Update
- Benchmarks’ Thursday Child Welfare Webinar Recording
- DHHS Messages and Updates
- Direct Support Professional Survey
- MH+SUD Bed Methodology and Public Comment
- White House Telehealth Toolkit
- NC Tracks Medicaid Bulletin Summary (#47-#62)
- April 21, 2020:
- Appendix K Approved
- DHHS Thursday Call with Providers, Details and Registration
- Parker Poe Recording and Slides from Part 2 and Parker Poe Federal Alert
- National Alliance Action Alert Re: Essential Worker Pay, Resources for Child Welfare, and Financial Relief
- DOJ Warning Re: Price Gouging of PPE
- April 21, 2020:
- DHHS Announcement Pandemic EBT
- NC Medicaid Bulletins Updated
- Trillium Single Case Agreement Enhancements
- April 21, 2020:
- Meetings This Week: Updated
- April 17, 2020:
- Next Week’s Collection of Meetings, Calls & Webinars (so far)
- April 17, 2020:
- NOSAC Action Alert
- Telehealth Webinar By Eastern AHEC
- April 17, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Friday Update and Recording
- ICYMI: Medicaid Bulletin Re: Behavioral Health Flexibilities
- Upcoming Provider Webinar: Appendix K/Innovations/TBO
- Applications for Telehealth Technology Grants
- DHHS PPE Request Page Uploaded
- White House Opening Up America Again Steps
- USDA Meals for Kids Site Finder
- FFTA Newsletter and Resources
- YouTube: Combat Stress
- April 17, 2020:
- April 16, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Friday Zoom Info
- House Select Committees Comprehensive Documents and Information
- Trillium: Screening/Monitoring Guidance
- CMS New Alert
- Telehealth Video from DHHS
- Link to All Approved In-Lieu Of Services
- Parker Poe Webinar Slides/Recording and Registration for Monday Continuation of Session\
- ANCOR Letter Re: Large Providers and Federal Relief
- April 16, 2020:
- Stress Relief and Fun Ideas
- April 15, 2020:
- Parker Poe Webinar Registration Issues Fixed, Try Again!!!
- April 15, 2020:
- DHHS Notifications and Webinar Details
- Therapeutic Leave ICF/IDD
- Family Support
- Provider Webinar on Thursday, Registration
- LME/MCO Updates Include:
- Trillium
- Partners
- DHHS Notifications and Webinar Details
- April 15, 2020:
- NC DSS Friday Series of Webinar Details
- April 15, 2020:
- Continued Parker Poe Webinar Details
- April 15, 2020:
- LME/MCO Updates as of 2p on 4-15-2020
- Benchmarks’ Zoom info for Friday Membership Meeting
- DHHS Response to a Few Submitted Questions
- DD Council Survey Announcement
- First in Families Announcement
- Protective Factors in Practice: Training Tool for Identifying Family Strengths
- Children’s Defense Fund TweetStorm Information
- April 15, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Thursday Child Welfare Webinar CANCELLED
- April 13, 2020:
- National Alliance Action Request
- DHHS Call with Providers on Thursday at 3:00 pm
- April 13, 2020:
- Upcoming Meetings/Webinars for This Week
- April 10, 2020:
- Recording of Benchmarks’ Child Welfare Webinar
- Recording and Written Update of Benchmarks’ Membership Webinar
- CMS Announcement Re: Frontline Workers
- Updates for Medicaid Bulletins (43 so far)
- DHHS Call with Family Members and Stakeholders on Monday at 2:00pm
- Promise Resource Network Training and Resources
- Administration for Community Living Virtual Wellness Webinar
- CQL Picture Based Virus Handout
- April 9, 2020:
- NC Governor Cooper’s Executive Order #131
- April 9, 2020:
- Parker Poe Business Webinar Details
- April 9, 2020:
- LME/MCO Updates
- April 9, 2020:
- Reminder of Today’s Congregate Care Trainings
- Announcement of Parker Poe Webinar for Businesses
- April 8, 2020:
- Webinars on Congregate Care Management
- Email from Dave Richard
- Alliance Call to Action
- April 8, 2020:
- NC Governor Cooper Executive Order #130
- NCTracks/NC Medicaid Bulletin Update
- Benchmarks’ Upcoming Webinars
- DD Council Grant Information
- Free Lunch
- i2i Free Webinar
- April 8, 2020:
- Email from Kody Kinsley RE: Consolidated Telehealth Information and Updates
- April 8, 2020:
- DHHS Call with Provider Today
- April 6, 2020:
- Notification of Calls/Webinars Scheduled so far this week
- April 3, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Friday Update, Written and Shared Recording
- April 3, 2020:
- LME/MCO Updates
- April 2, 2020:
- LME/MCO Websites
- Benchmarks’ Child Welfare Webinar Recording
- NC House Select Committee Documents
- COVID-19 Projection Data
- SBA Resources
- March 31, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Child Welfare Webinar Details
- Benchmarks Has Zoom: Updated Friday Calls with Members Information
-
House Select Committee Working Group on Economic Support(VERY helpful information and links included in the following documents for businesses, grants and loans thru the CARES Act.) Documents from today’s meeting-March 31, 2020:
- AAHOA Letter to Economic Support Working Group
- Agenda_Economic_Support_March_31_2020_ (002)
- Golden LEAF Presentation – Select Committee on COVID-19
- Governor’s Office Select Committee COVID-19 Presentation
- NCGA NCRLA Hospitality Relief Requests- March 30 2020
- NCRLA Presentation
- NCRMA Comments to House Select Committee on COVID-19
- Public Comment
- SBA Handout
-
House Select Committee Working Group on Continuity of State OperationsDocuments from today’s meeting-March 31, 2020:
- Agenda_House_Select Committee_COVID19_Continuing State Operations_March 31
- Fiscal Research_House Select Committee on COVID-19_Continuity of Operations_March 31
- Dept of Public Safety_House Select Committee on COVID-19_Continuity of Operations_March 31
- League of Municipalities_House Select Committee_COVID-19_Continuity of Operations
- NC County Comminssioners Association Memo_House Select Committee on COVID-19_Continuity of State Operations_March 31
- NC County Commissioners Association Presentation_ContinuityStateOperations_March 31
- NCTracks/NC Medicaid/DHHS Announcements
- Unmet Child Care Needs Resource: Email from Zack Wortman, COO Human Services, DHHS and more
- CMS.gov: Trump Administration Provides Financial Relief for Medicare Providers
- CARES Act Summary: Key Provisions for Community Based Human Services Organizations
- NADSP Direct Support Professionals Videos
- North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities Update
- Disability Scoop: Trump Administration Says Disability No Reason To Deny COVID-19 Care
- Tools to Help Advocates Reduce Social Isolation During the Coronavirus Pandemic
- Jubilee: Intertwined – Social Distancing for Connected Households
- Self-Advocacy and Beyond: Plain Language Tips For Working With Support Staff During COVID-19 March 30 2020
- LME/MCO Links for Updates
- AHEC Webinars
- Stateside: COVID-19 2020 State & Local Government Report Legislative, Executive, Regulatory, and Local Status
- March 30, 2020:
- Latest Emails from Kody Kinsley
- DHHS Call With Consumers, Families and Stakeholders Info
- Benchmarks’ Child Welfare Webinar Details
- Benchmarks Has Zoom: Updated Friday Calls with Members Information
- Template for Essential Travel (c/o CHA)
- Telehealth Guidance for IIH (c/o Pride)
- Civil Rights Updated Bulletin
- Parker Poe Unemployment/FMLA Info
- Repost of FMLA/Unemployment Info
- March 27, 2020:
- Governor Cooper Declares a Stay in Place Order
- Benchmarks’ Written COVID-19 Update
- Benchmarks’ Child Welfare Webinar Details, Thursdays at 8:00 am
- Letter from Dave Richard, including:
- House Select Committee on COVID-19 Powerpoints:
- HCWG Agenda 3-26-2020
- III. NCHA COVID Presentation
- IV. NCMS COVID19 REPORT 03262020
- Membership – Health Care Working Group
- V. Summary of Federal COVID-19 Bills 03-25-2020
- Links to Education Resources
- Membership-Education Working Group
- Brian Gwyn – Statutes that rely on testing
- Geoff Coltrane – COVID-19 Allotment and Public School Budget Flexibility
- Geoff Coltrane – Exec. Order 117 Memo – Guidance for Personnel Matters & School Facilities
- Geoff Coltrane – FAQ for Executive Order No. 117
- Geoff Coltrane & Freebird McKinney – Joint Presentation to House Select Committee on Ed.
- March 24, 2020: House Select Committee COVID-19 Public Comments
- March 25, 2020: House Select Committee COVID-19 Public Comments
- March 26, 2020: House Select Committee COVID-19 Public Comments
- National Council Guidance Booklet for Behavioral Health Residential Facilities
- COVID-19 Messages from National Accrediting Bodies
- Parker Poe Webinar
- LME/MCO Updates thru March 27, 2020 at 5:00 pm
- North Carolina Center for Nonprofits Unemployment Summary
- March 27, 2020:
- Reminder of Benchmarks’ Call with Members
- March 26, 2020:
- Cardinal COVID-19 Community Reinvestment Grant Opportunity
- March 26, 2020:
- March 26, 2020:
- Call TODAY with DHHS-BH/IDD Providers
- March 25, 2020:
- Announcing Benchmark’s Child Welfare Calls Thursday Mornings at 8:00 am Beginning April, 2.
- Information from the NC House Economic Support Working Group
- COVID-19 Unemployment Information
- Highlights of Congress’ Phase Two Bill
- Parker Poe Upcoming Webinar
- Info from the National Law Review Re: CoronaVirus
- Essential Business Information
- Latest DSS Webinar
- Updates from the Recovery Bill
- LME/MCO Updates from Today
- Upcoming NCGA Meetings
- Joint Statement from Berger & Blue
- Stay at Home Stories
- March 24, 2020:
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Resources
- Comprehensive NC Medicaid/AHEC Trainings, Webinars, and Resources
- Child Care Information and Resources
- Mecklenburg Stay at Home Order
- COVID-19 and Delinquency Continued Custody Hearings
- Tip Cards for First Responders-Persons with Disabilities
- Survival Guide for Parents with Children
- March 24, 2020:
- NCGA House Select Committee on COVID-19 Working Group on Economic Support First Meeting Tomorrow
- March 24, 2020:
- Governor’s Executive Order Blocks Visitation for ALL Types of Group Home Care Including DSS, Mental Health, Intellectual/Developmental Disability, and Substance Use Homes
- DHHS Guidance:
- Interim Long-Term Care Setting Guidance for Residents with Suspected or Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Their Caregivers
- Interim Healthcare Facility Preparedness Checklist
- Healthcare Personnel and Visitor Monitoring Log
- Symptom Self-monitoring Log
- Interim Congregate Living Settings Guidance for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Infection
- Interim Home Care Guidance for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Infection
- Interim Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) General Guidance for Behavioral Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disability (BHIDD) Group Homes
- March 24, 2020:
- Alliance for Children and Families Call to Action for Congress
- March 24, 2020:
- DHHS Dep. Sec. Kody Kinsley’s COVID-19 Update
- March 24, 2020:
- CMS’ Response to NC Medicaid 1135 Waiver Request (so far)
- March 24, 2020:
- NC DHHS Webinar: Provider Q&A TODAY from 5:30 pm thru 6:30 pm
- March 23, 2020:
- North Carolina Healthcare Association (NCHA) Letter to Governor Cooper
- Additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Resources
- Vaya Urgent Provider Bulletin
- March 23, 2020:
- Governor Cooper’s Executive Order and Press Conference Re: Restrictions on Child Care and Elder Care, Provides DMV Flexibilities and Additional School Closures
- Personal Protective Equipment Resource for Counties
- Trillium Update for Providers Re: Rate Enhancement
- DHHS Links to COVID-19 Information and Update
- March 23, 2020:
- Consolidation of LME/MCO Updates and Links through 3-23-2020
- Letter for Non-Profit Agencies to Consider Sending to Congress
- March 23, 2020:
- DHHS Call with Consumers, Family Members, and Community Stakeholders Important: Call-in Number Has Been Changed AGAIN
- March 20, 2020:
- DHHS Letter to LME/MCOs
- Latest DHHS Updates
- NCTracks Update Re: Training
- White House Updates
- March 20, 2020:
- DSS Dear Director Email and Letter Re: Court-Ordered Home Visits
- March 20, 2020:
- Benchmarks’ Video Update
- Benchmarks’ Updated Questions Sent to DHHS
- Announcement of Benchmarks’ COVID-19 Webpage with All Updates and Resources
- Reminder of Call with BH/IDD Providers Today at 3:00 pm
- March 20,2020:
- DHHS Call with BH/IDD Providers Today at 3:00 pm
- March 20, 2020:
- DHHS COVID-19 Update Call on Monday, March 23, 2020 with Consumers, Family Members, and Community Stakeholders Important: Call-in Number Has Been Changed
- March 19, 2020:
- DSS Receives AFC Approval to Conduct Site Visits Electronically
- Letter to Federal Government from the Children’s Bureau
- Reminder & Details for Benchmarks/DSS Webinar: March 19, 2020
- March 19, 2020:
- Details for Benchmarks/DSS Webinar: March 19, 2020
- Details for Benchmarks’ Call with Members: March 20, 2020
- DHHS COVID-19 Update Call For BH/IDD Consumers, Family Members and Community Stakeholders
- DHHS Announcement Re: Request to Feds
- President Signs Family First COVID-19 Bill
- Links to March 19 Press Conferences: White House and NC Governor
- March 18, 2020:
- Details for Benchmarks/DSS Webinar: March 19, 2020
- DHHS Town Halls Cancelled
- March 18, 2020:
- Fee Schedule for Telephonic CPT/E&M Codes
- Details for Benchmarks/DSS Webinar-March 19, 2020
- March 17, 2020:
- Medicaid Bulletin/NCTracks Update Re: Site Visits & Reviews
- Submission of Disproportionate Share Hospital Data
- March 16, 2020:
- PRTF Court Questions and Update
- March 16, 2020:
- DHHS’ Request for Waivers to CMS
- March 16, 2020:
- Court Memo
- Benchmarks’ Questions Submitted to DHHS
- Executive Order Closing Schools
- March 13, 2020:
- Comprehensive and Updated FAQs for Employers on COVID-19
- March 12, 2020:
- Announcing Benchmarks’ COVID-19 Weekly Call
COVID-19 Resources
- White House
- North Carolina Governor’s Office
- DHHS COVID-19 Website
- Request from NC Medicaid to CMS: Waiver Requests-Sent March 17, 2020
- NC COVID-19 Latest Updates (Valuable Webpage for Everyone)
- Guidance
- Behavioral Health
- Businesses and Employers
- Executive Order 120 closes K-12 public school statewide through May 15, bans mass gatherings over 50 people, closes some businesses Open PDF (March 23, 2020)
- CDC Interim Guidance for Retirement Communities and Independent Living Facilities
- Interim Guidance for Organizations that Gather Less Than 50 People Together Open PDF (March 23, 2020)
- Executive Order No. 118 Limiting Operations of Restaurants and Bars Open PDF (March 17, 2020)
- COVID-19 Mitigation Measures (March 12, 2020)
- Interim Guidance for Environmental Cleaning for Non-Healthcare Settings (March 9, 2020)
- CDC Information for businesses
- Guidance for Malls and Shopping Centers Open PDF
- Guidance for Public-Facing Businesses and Agencies Open PDF
- Child Care Centers
- Important Updates and Action Needed for Child Care Facilities Open PDF (March 23, 2020)
- Executive Order 120 closes K-12 public school statewide through May 15, bans mass gatherings over 50 people, closes some businesses Open PDF (March 23, 2020)
- Interim Guidance for Organizations that Gather Less Than 50 People Together Open PDF (March 23, 2020)
- DCDEE Door Sign for Child Care Facilities Open PDF
- COVID-19 Child Care Provider Survey
- Get the latest COVID-19 information for child care from NCDHHS’ Division of Child Development and Early Education
- Executive Order 119 Open PDFwaives restrictions to increase access to caregivers to provide flexible child care
- Joint Guidance for Operation of School-Based Emergency Child Care Open PDF (March 19, 2020)
- NCDHHS Interim Guidance for Child Care Settings Open PDF (March 23, 2020)
- Subsidy and NC Pre-K Payment Information (March 17, 2020)
- FAQ about COVID-19 for Child Care Providers Open PDF from DHHS’ Division of Child Development and Early Education (March 13, 2020)
- Flexibility in Policy and Regulatory Requirements Announcement (March 18, 2020)
- NCDHHS Guidance for Cleaning Non-Healthcare Settings (March 9, 2020)
- CDC Information for Businesses and Employers
- CDC Information for Schools and Childcare Programs
- Colleges and Universities
- Executive Order 120 closes K-12 public school statewide through May 15, bans mass gatherings over 50 people, closes some businesses Open PDF (March 23, 2020)
- Interim Guidance for Organizations that Gather Less Than 50 People Together Open PDF (March 16, 2020)
- NCDHHS Guidance for Cleaning Non-Healthcare Settings (March 9, 2020)
- NCDHHS guidance for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases who are residing in a congregate living facility, such as a dorm or barracks (Feb. 7, 2020)
- CDC Guidance for Colleges and Universities
- CDC Information for Businesses and Employers
- Community and Faith-Based Organizations
- Community Events and Mass Gatherings
- Correctional Facilities
- County Department of Social Services
- Guidance for Court Ordered Visitation Open PDF (March 23, 2020)
- COVID-19
- First Responders
- Health Care Providers, Hospitals, and Laboratories
- Interim Healthcare Facility Preparedness Checklist (March 12, 2020)
- NC Interim Guidance for Long Term Care SettingsOpen PDF (March 12, 2020)
- Interim Healthcare Facility Preparedness Checklist (March 12, 2020)
- Healthcare Personnel and Visitor Monitoring Log (Jan. 30, 2020)
- Symptom Self-monitoring Log (updated February 6, 2020)
- Home Care Settings
- Guidance for Congregate Living Settings (updated Feb. 7, 2020)
- Guidance for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 Infection Open PDF (March 9, 2020)
- Homeless Shelters
- NC Interim Guidance for Homeless Shelters and Service Providers Open Word Document (March 19, 2020)
- Guidance for Homeless Service Providers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development)
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Information and Resources
- CDC Resources for Homeless Shelters
- Individuals and Families
- K-12 Schools
- Executive Order 120Open PDF closes K-12 public school statewide through May 15, bans mass gatherings over 50 people, closes some businesses (March 23, 2020)
- Interim Guidance for Organizations that Gather Less Than 50 People Together Open PDF (NCDHHS, March 23, 2020)
- State Board of Education Guidance Open PDF for Personnel Matters and School Facilities during the school closure period (March 16, 2020)
- Local Health Departments
- Long-term Facilities
- Malls and Shopping Centers
- Management of Scarce Resources
- Strategies for Scarce Resource Situations Open PDF (March 13, 2020)
- NC Healthcare Supply Conservation Considerations Open PDF (Feb. 27, 2020)
- Healthcare Coalition Partners – Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Resource Monitoring and Request Algorithm Open PDF
- Medical Surge Strategy Checklist
- DOL Interim Guidance on COVID-19 Use of Filtering Facepiece Respirators After Their Expiration Date (March 13, 2020)
- Mass Transit
- Migrant Farm Workers and their Employers
- NC Medicaid
- People Who Have Disabilities
- Provider Guidance for Patients
- What to do if you feel sick in English Open PDF and Spanish Open PDF (March 23, 2020 – NCDHHS)
- 10 ways to manage your symptoms at home Open PDF (CDC)
- Caring for someone sick at home (CDC)
- What to do if you are sick with COVID-19 or think you might have it Open PDF (CDC)
- Providers
- DHHS Guidance for Dental Providers Open PDF (March 25, 2020)
- State Health Director Temporary Order Requiring the Reporting of Novel Coronavirus Infections Causing Death Open PDF(March 23, 2020)
- NCDHHS Memo to North Carolina Health Care Providers Open PDF (March 23, 2020)
- COVID-19 Outpatient Triage and Assessment Guidance Open PDF (March 23, 2020)
- Information for Clinicians on Therapeutic Options for COVID-19 Patients
- NCDHHS Memo to NC Hospitals and Ambulatory Surger Centers re: Elective Surgeries Open PDF (March 20, 2020)
- Outpatient Assessment and Management for Pregnant Women Open PDF
- Respiratory Protection Guidance Open PDF (March 17, 2020)
- NCDHHS Memo to North Carolina Health Care Providers Open PDF (March 16,2020)
- Outpatient Triage Assessment Guidance Open PDF (March 16, 2020)
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