MARCH 9, 2021 | COMMUNICATION BULLETIN ISSUE 63 IN THIS ISSUE: Special Bulletin COVID-19 #159: Update on Appendix K Flexibilities | Updated Rates in AlphaMCS| Action Needed: Instructions for Updating Your Agency’s Security Contact | COVID-19 Vaccination Center to Focus on Historically Marginalized Populations | ASAM Criteria Training Available | Policy Release and Webinar: Overview of the DHHS Transition of Care Policy | WNC COVID-19 Regional Report
Special Bulletin COVID-19 #159: Update on Appendix K Flexibilities NC Medicaid has updated its emergency planning document, referred to as Appendix K, to extend its flexibilities on how Medicaid providers and beneficiaries may access and receive home and community-based services (HCBS) 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 NC 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.” The anticipated end date of the federal public health emergency is currently April 20, 2021. Although CMS has not yet formally approved this amendment, DHHS instructed LME/MCOs to extend the Appendix K flexibilities from March 12, 2021 to October 20, 2021.This extension applies to all of the previously approved Appendix K flexibilities for CAP/C, CAP/DA and the NC Innovations and TBI waivers. Extended flexibilities will require the updated COVID-19 Appendix K Reporting Form as of today, March 9, 2021. Please note: The requested effective start date for change can be no earlier than Dec. 13, 2020, and the requested effective end date for change can be no later than Oct. 20, 2021.
Updated Rates in AlphaMCS Rates in AlphaMCS for providers of Community Living and Supports, Community Networking and Intermediate Care Facility services have been updated to reflect increases announced in Provider Communication Bulletin Issue 61. Providers must contact their assigned Claims Specialist to reprocess claims as needed. If you do not know who your assigned Claims Specialist is, email provider.info@vayahealth.com for assistance.
Action Needed: Instructions for Updating Your Agency’s Security Contact Vaya will transition from the AlphaMCS Managed Care Information System (MCIS) platform to Conduent’s Health Solutions Plus (HSP) platform in August 2021. As a follow-up to the March 5, 2021, Provider Q&A Webinar, note that Vaya is moving to the Conduent platform to incorporate physical health in preparation for Tailored Plan operations and because the current AlphaMCS platform will be sunsetted by our vendor. Vaya posted an RFP on our public-facing website for a new Managed Care Information System in 2019 and worked diligently to identify the best vendor to meet Tailored Plan operational needs. Stay tuned for more information and training opportunities about Conduent in future communications. The Conduent platform will include a new Provider Portal, which will change how providers will submit authorization requests, claims, member enrollments, etc. To ensure correct staff can log in to the new Conduent portal, all providers must review their choice of security contact person used to validate login requests and ensure only current staff have access to the portal. With the implementation of the Conduent platform, this role will be known as the Systems Access Administrator. Providers can view their current security contact person in the Provider Maintenance Module of the AlphaMCS portal. If this role has changed within your organization, please submit an update using the Provider Change Request Form (complete Section E) posted on Vaya's Provider Central website. Please note: Unless we are notified otherwise, the individual identified as the AlphaMCS security contact person will be identified as the Systems Access Administrator in the Conduent platform. Any providers who do not have a current security contact in AlphaMCS and do not update their contact information may be delayed in receiving access to the Conduent platform until a Systems Access Administrator is assigned. How to review site contacts in AlphaMCS: Click on the arrow next to Provider ID to open the record. Choose Details. Open Sites. Click the arrow next to Site ID for the main site. Choose Details (a grid with the Site Contacts will appear in the second table). Sort by Contact Type to view the Security Contact assigned for your organization.
COVID-19 NEWS AND UPDATES COVID-19 Vaccination Center to Focus on Historically Marginalized Populations North Carolina is establishing a federally supported COVID-19 Community Vaccination Center at Four Seasons Town Centre in Greensboro. The center will begin operations tomorrow, March 10, 2021, and remain open for eight weeks. It will operate seven days a week, with the capacity to provide up to 3,000 vaccinations per day. Half of all appointments from March 10 to 14 at the site will be set aside to help ensure individuals from historically marginalized populations can access the vaccine. North Carolina is currently providing vaccinations for people in Groups 1, 2 and 3, including frontline essential workers, people age 65 and older, health care workers and long-term care residents, among others. Eligible individuals can make vaccine appointments online at www.GSOmassvax.org or by calling 888-675-4567.
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
ASAM Criteria Training Available N.C. DHHS has issued a bulletin with updated information regarding the DHHS-sponsored ASAM criteria training for LME/MCOs and providers. This training is designed to meet the new ASAM level of care determination requirement of proposed amendments to CCP 8A and 8C. Virtual ASAM criteria training will be offered through June 30, 2021. As of March 2021, registration fees have been reduced as follows: Two-day online Skill Building Training: Reduced from $90 to $75; includes 13 contact hours and a free ASAM criteria manual upon request. ASAM eLearning Training Modules: Reduced from $75 to $50; includes 12 continuing education credit hours and a free ASAM criteria manual upon request. Organizations can take advantage of “Buy 3, Get 1 Free”: For every three registrations (two-day online) or eLearning licenses purchased, get the fourth for free. Learn more and register online .
Policy Release and Webinar: Overview of the DHHS Transition of Care Policy Thursday, March 11, 2021, 12 – 1 p.m. NC Medicaid has released the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Transition of Care Policy, which describes how the department will maintain continuity of care for members and minimize the burden on providers during the transition between fee-for-service and managed care service delivery systems. Submit comments and questions about the policy to Medicaid.NCEngagement@dhhs.nc.gov. Pre-register for the webinar.
WNC COVID-19 Regional Report Vaya is proud to be a key partner in the monthly WNC COVID-19 Regional Report from the Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) in conjunction with nine other WNC health and social services organizations. Together, we’re committed to providing WNC’s medical community with timely information on COVID-19 through weekly updates on regional trends, needs, resources and training opportunities. Read more: WNC COVID-19 Regional Report (March 5, 2020)
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