JAN. 19, 2023 | COMMUNICATION BULLETIN 2022-23 ISSUE 36 IN THIS ISSUE: Provider Touchpoint | Extension of Appendix K Flexibilities – Action Required | NonUCR Invoice Submission Process | Update: National Core Indicators® Survey | Congress Eliminates the DATA-Waiver Program and Requirement for DATA-Waiver “X” Registration Numbers on Prescriptions for Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder | Public Comment Period: Clinical Coverage Policies 8A-7 and 8A-8 | Webinar: Addressing Partner-Inflicted Brain Injuries (PIBI) with a Health Equity Lens | Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Training
Provider Touchpoint Tomorrow, Jan. 20, 2023, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Provider Touchpoint is your source for the latest information on topics that affect Vaya Health network providers. We encourage all network providers to attend. Registration is not required. The link to each webinar is published both the week prior to and the week of the event in the Provider Communication Bulletin.
PROVIDER TOUCHPOINT– JAN. 20, 2023
COVID-19 NEWS AND UPDATES Extension of Appendix K Flexibilities – Action Required On April 6, 2020, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the initial Appendix K Emergency Preparedness and Response Waiver Request submitted by NCDHHS in response to the COVID-19 State of Emergency. Appendix K allows specific flexibilities in how Medicaid beneficiaries receive home and community-based services through the Community Alternatives Programs for Children and Disabled Adults (CAP/C and CAP/DA) and the NC Innovations and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) waivers. Appendix K flexibilities for CAP/C, CAP/DA, and the Innovations and TBI waivers have been updated to include an anticipated end date of “through six months following the end of the public health emergency. As a result, the current Appendix K flexibilities is extended from July 10, 2023, to Oct. 8, 2023. Providers are required to submit an updated COVID-19 Appendix K Reporting Form to participate in the extension, which applies to all previously approved Appendix K flexibilities for CAP/C, CAP/DA, and the Innovations and TBI waivers.
To report the use of a new flexibility or an extension of a previously reported one, providers should complete the Appendix K Reporting Form available on the COVID-19 information page on Vaya’s Provider Central website. Submission of the form through Provider Central eliminates the need to fax or scan it. Providers who wish to receive a copy of the submitted form should select the option to “Print or get PDF of answers” after submission. Please note: The requested effective start date for Appendix K-related changes can be no more than 90 days before the request is submitted, and the requested effective end date for changes can be no later than Oct. 8, 2023. Additionally, please note that Innovations Waiver participants under age 22 are subject to limits on sets of services during the school year. Under Appendix K, Respite is the only service allowed during the school day, with specific parameters around its use. Please review NCDHHS LME/MCO Joint Communication Bulletin #375 (Sept. 22, 2020) for details.
Non-UCR Invoice Submission Process To standardize the non-unit cost reimbursement (non-UCR) invoice submission process, Vaya’s Finance Department asks that providers use our standardized invoice template , available on the Forms page of our Provider Central website, when submitting invoices. This form can be submitted in lieu of or in addition to current provider invoices. Please continue to include all documentation to substantiate expenditures, including, but not limited to, general ledger and payroll detail, the provider staff contact information (name, phone number, and email address), signature and title of the authorized signer, program name/service, and the service date(s). If you have questions, email payables@vayahealth.com.
Update: National Core Indicators® Survey National Core Indicators® (NCI) is a program that conducts member surveys to help public agencies serving the I/DD population measure and track performance. This survey is the only annual, statewide survey of people receiving I/DD services and supports. Each year, NCDHHS selects a sample of Vaya members to take part in the NCI survey and give feedback about the services they receive. This year’s survey will be conducted between January and March 2023. Member participation in the survey is voluntary; however, Vaya asks that providers help members and guardians understand the importance of the survey and encourage them to complete it. Member participation will help Vaya, network providers, and NCDHHS better understand member needs and improve services for individuals with I/DD and their families at both the Vaya and statewide levels. The survey’s standard measures (core indicators) address topics including employment, member rights, service planning, community inclusion, choice, and health and safety. The survey is administered by the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities (CIDD) at UNCChapel Hill and can be completed in person with the help of a provider staff person, via Zoom (administered by CIDD), or by paper survey that a member can complete on their own. If a member (or their guardian) agrees to participate, the provider must complete and return the following three components to Vaya for entry into the NCDHHS database: Written documentation of member/guardian verbal consent to participate in the survey Background information/member demographics Pre-screening survey with details related to member health, employment, and housing Providers will be notified of member selection in three rounds. Required documentation is due to Vaya on the first submission date following notification of member selection. Submission dates are:
Feb. 1, 2023 Feb. 24, 2023 March 29, 2023 Thank you in advance for you time and effort to help improve I/DD services and supports locally and throughout North Carolina.
Congress Eliminates the DATA-Waiver Program and Requirement for DATA-Waiver “X” Registration Numbers on Prescriptions for Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder With the signing of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 on Dec. 29, 2022, Congress eliminated the “DATA-Waiver Program.” Section 1262 removes the federal requirement for practitioners to submit a notice of intent (NOI) to prescribe medications like buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD). Effective immediately, the Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will no longer accept NOIs. All practitioners who have a current DEA registration that includes Schedule III authority may now prescribe buprenorphine for OUD in their practice if permitted by applicable state law. North Carolina rules and laws do not conflict with this new authority for prescribing of buprenorphine for OUD with a current DEA registration. More information is available on the DEA Diversion Control Division website and the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy website.
Public Comment Period: Clinical Coverage Policies 8A-7 and 8A-8 Clinical Coverage Policy 8A-7, Ambulatory Withdrawal Management (WM) without Extended On-Site Monitoring, and Clinical Coverage Policy 8A-8, Ambulatory WM with Extended On-Site Monitoring, have posted for a 45-day public comment period. The policies are available on the Proposed Medicaid and NC Health Choice Policies page of the NC Medicaid website. Comments may be submitted to medicaid.public.comment@dhhs.nc.gov. The comment period ends March 3, 2023.
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES Webinar: Addressing Partner-Inflicted Brain Injuries (PIBI) with a Health Equity Lens Jan. 31, 2023, 1-2:30 p.m. Research shows up to 92% of intimate personal violence (IPV) survivors who experienced physical or sexual violence report head, neck, and facial injuries, which can result in brain injury. Brain injuries due to domestic violence have long-lasting effects on a survivor’s health, wellbeing, safety, and even economic security. Sponsored by Futures Without Violence’s Health Partners on IPV and Exploitation , this training will allow attendees to: Understand PIBI with an intersectional approach and how it impacts survivors’ overall health and wellbeing Use a health equity lens to identify services and resources providers can use to make
their care more accessible to all survivors living with brain injury Learn about screening, identification, assessment, and education tools that can be used with survivors and staff at domestic violence organizations and community health centers. Register online.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Training Jan. 27, 2023, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. NC Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (NCFASD) Informed and Chatham County are cosponsoring a virtual training session that will feature experts in the field of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in North Carolina and across the country. For more information, email Kathy.Hotelling@ncfasdinformed.org.
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