The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Health Benefits (DHB) is continuing to implement previously-announced temporary 5% provider rate increases to select Medicaid providers (see COVID-19 Special Bulletin #99) to maintain access to care for Medicaid beneficiaries.
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NC Medicaid is implementing additional rate increases to continue helping Local Health Departments (LHDs) to serve Medicaid beneficiaries during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
The North Carolina Office of the State Auditor (OSA) has begun the Single State Audit for State fiscal year (SFY) 2020.
During the recent State fiscal year (SFY) 2019 Single State Audit, OSA reviewed claims documentation to ensure payments were made for Medicaid-covered services and to ensure claims followed proper coding and billing rules.
Effective Sept. 1, 2020, NC Medicaid will begin reimbursing COVID-19 testing costs for uninsured individuals enrolled in the NC Medicaid Optional COVID-19 Testing (MCV) program. This option was made available to all states through Section 6004(a)(3) of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). Testing providers are encouraged to download paper applications to be completed, collected and mailed to NC Medicaid at the address on the form.
Executive Order 156 and a State Health Director Memo have extended, but not waived, North Carolina proof-of-immunization documentation deadlines for school and child-care facilities. Additionally, the Executive Order also extends the deadline to submit a school health assessment for children entering North Carolina public school for the first time.
To help increase well-child visits and immunization rates for Medicaid beneficiaries younger than 19 years old, NC DHHS and NC Medicaid is partnering with Community Care of North Carolina (CCNC), NC AHEC, the Division of Public Health (DPH) and Local Health Departments (LHDs) on the new Keeping Kids Well program.
Recently, the federal Declaration of Emergency scheduled to end July 25, 2020, was extended through Oct. 25, 2020. In response to this new date, NC Medicaid has extended its COVID-19 related temporary Clinical Coverage Policy provisions to Dec. 31, 2020. COVID-19 related rate enhancements are extended through Sept. 30, 2020.
CMS announced changes to the Provider Relief Fund opportunities for Medicaid providers which include the application deadline being extended to Aug. 28, 2020, certain providers who previously received Medicare funds can apply for Provider Relief Funds and payments for providers who have changed ownership.
On July 15, 2020, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) finalized modifications to the Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder Patient Records regulations, 42 CFR Part 2 (“Part 2”). Modifications to Part 2 will be effective Aug. 14, 2020.