Author: NCTracks, 1-800-688-6696
Reimbursement for Medically Necessary Services during Hurricane Florence
NC Medicaid and Health Choice will reimburse providers for medically necessary drugs and services and equipment and supplies provided during the Hurricane Florence emergency without prior approval (PA) from Sept. 14 through Oct. 5, 2018. Medical documentation must support medical necessity.
In addition, beneficiaries who have been evacuated out-of-state (OOS), voluntarily or involuntarily, can receive medical care if needed and NC Medicaid and Health Choice will reimburse the OOS provider without prior approval. OOS providers must enroll as NC Medicaid providers in an abbreviated, expedited process here.
Providers are encouraged to obtain a prior approval if it is possible to do so (and normally required for the service). All claims are subject to audit.
Expediting Nursing Home admissions for individual displaced due to Hurricane Florence
Providers should upload the signed Physician Signature form with their portal submissions to NC Tracks. NC Tracks is designed to receive long term care PA information in the FL2 format. NC Medicaid has temporarily suspended the requirement of a Pre-Admission Screening and Annual Resident Review (PASSR) number on the PA. Providers should note on their portal submissions stating that the PASRR is unavailable due to Hurricane Florence emergency placement. In addition, providers should add all the pertinent information about the recipient’s levels of care needs in their portal submission.
Lastly, the Medicare requirements of 3-day qualifying hospital stay is waived for Medicaid beneficiaries who require a short-term stay in a Nursing Facility due to care needs or shelter needs related to Hurricane Florence from Sept. 12 through Oct. 5, 2018.
Critical Access Hospital (CAH) Bed Limit Lifted During Hurricane Florence
As outlined in 42 CFR 485.620(a), Condition of Participation: Number of Beds and Length of Stay, ‘Except as permitted for CAH having distinct part units under 42 CFR 485.647, the CAH maintains no more than 25 inpatient beds. Inpatient bed may be used for either inpatient or swing-bed services’.
From Sept. 14, through Oct. 5, 2018, NC Medicaid is lifting the limit of 25 beds to accommodate the needs of our beneficiaries and providers due to the anticipated impact of Hurricane Florence.
Pharmacy Emergency Preparedness Information
North Carolina Medicaid and Health Choice beneficiaries in impacted areas may require an early refill of their medications or medications that require prior authorization. CMS has granted waiver authority for North Carolina Medicaid to allow for the following:
- Early refill of all covered medications from Sept. 11 through Oct. 5, 2018.
- Waive prior authorization requirements for all covered medications from Sept. 14 through Oct. 5, 2018.
- Waive prior authorization requirements for medically necessary medical equipment and supplies from Sept. 14 through Oct. 5, 2018.
Pharmacy providers may call the NCTracks Pharmacy Call Center at 1-866-246-8505 for additional information or assistance.
Unless otherwise noted, these exceptions are in effect for dates of service from Sept. 14 through Oct. 5, 2018. This will be the last extension of hurricane-related flexibilities.
NCTracks Call Center, 1-800-688-6696
Pharmacy providers: NCTracks Pharmacy Call Center, 1-866-246-8505