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Vaya Health | Q&A Webinar for Vaya Health Network Providers
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Vaya Health | Q&A Webinar for Vaya Health Network Providers
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Vaya Health | Q&A Webinar for Vaya Health Network Providers
Today’s Vaya participants • Brian Ingraham, President and CEO • Carrie McCracken, Behavioral Health Network Operations Director, Provider Network • Tommy Duncan, Training and Special Projects Manager (Producer) • Renee Urban, Provider and Community Educator, Provider Network (co-producer) • Justine Tullos, Provider Network (Q&A moderator)
Vaya Health | Q&A Webinar for Vaya Health Network Providers
GUEST PRESENTER
Sarah Pfau Health Policy Consultant, Cansler Collaborative Resources on behalf of NC Providers Council
ncproviderscouncil.org Vaya Health | Q&A Webinar for Vaya Health Network Providers
Good morning and welcome
LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY UPDATE
NCGA Legislative Updates August 06, 2021
Session Laws of Interest S.L. 2021-31: Occupational Therapy Interstate Compact •
Under the Occupational Therapy Interstate Compact (Compact), occupational therapists with Compact privileges would be able to practice remotely across state lines. See NCGA bill summary here.
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Cannot take effect until 10 states join the Compact, which is a joint initiative of the American Occupational Therapy Assn. and the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy.
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8 states have enacted legislation to date: CO, GA, MO, OH, MD, ME, NC, VA. Legislation was unsuccessful in SC.
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NC Medicaid Telehealth clinical coverage policy 1H includes/crossreferences coverage for Outpatient Specialized Therapies.
Session Laws of Interest S.L. 2021-82: Labor Law Changes •
See NCGA bill summary here.
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Includes a provision regarding the collection / disclosure of / protection of medical records of injured or deceased employees.
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Amends wage change notice requirements.
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Amends final payment timing requirement when employment discontinued.
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Amends fine structure for employer record keeping compliance.
Bills of Interest HB96 - Allow Pharmacists to Admin. Injectable Drugs •
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Would require parental consent for minors for COVID vaccine: “(a1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a health care provider shall obtain written consent from a parent or legal guardian prior to administering any vaccine that has been granted emergency use authorization and is not yet fully approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration to an individual under 18 years of age. (b) Any minor who is emancipated may consent to any medical treatment, dental and health services for himself or for his child.“ Ordered Enrolled on 8/5; should be Ratified today and presented to Gov. for signature.
Bills of Interest HB351 - No Patient Left Alone/Clifford’s Law •
AN ACT PROVIDING PATIENT VISITATION RIGHTS WILL NOT BE IMPACTED DURING DECLARED DISASTERS AND EMERGENCIES, PROTECTING THE RELIGIOUS RIGHTS OF HOSPITAL PATIENTS BY PRESERVING THEIR RIGHT TO RECEIVE VISITS BY CLERGY MEMBERS DURING HOSPITAL STAYS THAT OCCUR DURING A DECLARED DISASTER OR EMERGENCY, AND DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO IMPOSE A CIVIL PENALTY FOR ANY VIOLATION OF THOSE RIGHTS.
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Would amend N.C.G.S. Chapters 122C and 131D and apply to residential treatment facilities, adult care homes, special care units. [“Whereas, many families have been unable to be physically present with their loved ones while in a hospital, nursing home, combination home, hospice care, adult care home, special care unit, or residential treatment setting for mental illness, developmental or intellectual disability, or substance use disorder and have been limited to electronic video communications, if any, with the patient;”]
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See also this Feb. 2021 U.S. HHS Office of Civil Rights case resolution that distinguishes “Support Person” from “Visitor” and upholds ADA protections: OCR Resolves Three Discrimination Complaints After Medstar Health System Ensures Patients With Disabilities Can Have Support Persons in Health Care Settings During Covid-19 Pandemic | HHS.gov
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NOTE: this bill has been rolled into the House budget provisions as Section 9E.5 on page 71.
Bills of Interest Prohibition on vaccine mandates in employment settings or in the general population: HB558 – Prohibit Mandatory CV19 Vaccinations (did not make crossover) HB686 – No Gov’t Retribution for Refusal of CV19 Vax (did not make crossover) HB876 – Vaccination Private Choice Protection Act (did not make crossover) HB572 – No Vaccine Mandate by EO, Rule, or Agency (last action 5/11; made crossover) • Would prohibit the Governor from using the emergency powers under Chapter 166A of the General Statutes to require that individuals receive a vaccine by operation of an executive order. • Would prohibit the Division of Emergency Management from amending the North Carolina Emergency Operations Plan to require individuals to receive vaccines if that requirement were implemented by operation of an executive order. • Would prohibit executive branch agencies from adopting rules requiring individuals to get a vaccine as a condition of licensure. • Would prevent public health authorities in the State from issuing orders requiring individuals to get COVID-19 vaccines.
House HHS Budget Money Report / Committee Report: HHS Committee Report.pdf (ncleg.gov) HHS Budget Provisions: HHS Special Provisions.pdf (ncleg.gov)
House HHS Budget Special Provisions of Note: Pg. 68, Provision 9D.22 requires DHHS to develop a Clinical Coverage Policy and assign a billing code [for hospitals] for Medicaid coverage for behavioral health services provided to Medicaid beneficiaries in a hospital setting after 30 hours if they are awaiting discharge to a more appropriate setting. For Tailored Plan members, covered services would be paid by LME/MCOs [via rates negotiated with hospitals] and implemented July 1, 2022 [Tailored Plan go-live]. For Medicaid Direct beneficiaries, DHB would set the Fee-for-Service reimbursement rates. Pg. 130, Provision 9I.13 affects DSS and requires the Department to establish seven regions for regional supervision of child welfare and social services and begin providing oversight and support within those regions through State regional staff and the central office team by March 1, 2022. Glide path for full implementation.
House HHS Budget
House HHS Budget
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House HHS Budget
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House HHS Budget
Gov. Cooper Executive Order July 29, 2021
NC Governor Cooper Executive Order #224: COVID-19 Measures Effective July 29 – August 31 Face Covering Requirements at Cabinet Agencies Effective Monday, August 2, 2021 Cabinet agency State employee mandates and recommendations for State and local government agencies [“The requirements of this Subsection 4.2 set out prohibitions and restrictions only upon operation of agencies that are part of the Governor's Office or are headed by members of the Governor's Cabinet. All other state and local government agencies are strongly encouraged to adopt similar policies.”]
“If they are not Fully Vaccinated, workers must wear Face Coverings in any indoor space, within a state government office, building, or facility, that is that is controlled by an agency that is either part of the Governor's Office or is headed by a member of the Governor's Cabinet.”
“Workers are excepted from the Face Covering requirements in this Subsection 4.2 if they provide proof that they are Fully Vaccinated. OSHR shall issue no later than July 30, 2021, a policy detailing how workers may provide this proof. This policy shall be replaced, effective September 1, 2021, by the policy issued under Subsection 4.1 of this Executive Order. OSHR is delegated the authority to issue this policy.”
“Each agency may set its own Face Covering policy for Guests and for Fully Vaccinated workers in its offices, buildings, and facilities. All workers and Guests are welcome to wear a Face Covering at any time. It is recommended that Fully Vaccinated workers and Guests wear a Face Covering.”
“Face Coverings are not required when a person is alone in a room Covering Exception applies. or when a Face Covering Exception applies.”
“State employees may be subject to disciplinary action for violations of this Subsection 4.2 or the OSHR policy, up to and including dismissal. Each agency may determine the appropriate level of discipline for violations by issuing guidelines or policy. This Subsection 4.2 shall be enforceable only through disciplinary action for workers, and not by law enforcement under N.C. Gen. Stat.§ 166A-19.30(a)(2).”
Eviction Moratorium Update August 6, 2021
New CDC Moratorium Extension Order Effective August 3 – October 3
Read the 19-page CDC Eviction Moratorium Order here. Temporary Halt in Residential Eviction in Communities with Substantial or High Levels of Community Transmission of COVID-19 to Prevent the Further Spread of COVID-19 The Biden Administration’s new ban on evictions will apply to nearly everyone in North Carolina, Gov. Roy Cooper said Wednesday. The state and federal governments both had an eviction moratorium for much of the pandemic, as a way to prevent people from being made homeless as job losses rose and COVID-19 spread across the country. Cooper lifted North Carolina’s eviction moratorium at the start of July. But on Tuesday the CDC announced prolonged protections against eviction, which will protect nearly everyone in North Carolina even though the state’s own moratorium is no more. The federal ban on evictions will last for at least two months, through Oct. 3, in counties with high or substantial spread of Coronavirus. In North Carolina, 96 of the state’s 100 counties fall into those higher-risk categories, meaning that landlords will continue facing hurdles if they try to evict their tenants. The News & Observer reported Tuesday that around 210,000 households are behind on rent statewide. That’s around 5% of the nearly 4 million total households statewide, or around 15% of the total renters statewide, according to Census data. WILL DORAN AND JULIAN SHEN-BERRO, THE NEWS & OBSERVER, 8/04/21
ON YOUR RADAR
ASAM Requirements Joint Communication Bulletin #379 • Proposed amendments to Clinical Coverage Policy 8C, Section 7.3.2 (CCA Format) and Clinical Coverage Policy 8A, Diagnostic Assessment, (DA) adds a requirement to include ASAM level of care determined at time of assessment for individuals with a SUD diagnosis. • All licensed professionals who will complete a DA or CCA for a SUD diagnosed individual (adult and children/adolescents) must have the knowledge, skills, and ability to make an ASAM level of care determination. Vaya Health | Q&A Webinar for Vaya Health Network Providers
Conduent • Launch delayed until early November 2021 • Providers should continue to use AlphaMCS until further notice • Please ensure you submit a Provider Change Form to CredentialingTeam@vayahealth.com when licensed practitioners leave your practice/agency and whenever there is a change in contact information for your organization. • This will support accurate information transfer to Conduent. Vaya Health | Q&A Webinar for Vaya Health Network Providers
Current Network Needs • Emergency Respite (child and adolescent) • Therapeutic Foster Care • Child and Adolescent Day Treatment • Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR)
All areas All areas School System based Rural counties
For more information, please contact your Provider Relations Manager, or provider.info@vayahealth.com Vaya Health | Q&A Webinar for Vaya Health Network Providers
LEARNING AND PARTICIPATION OPPORTUNITIES
2021 Provider & Learning Summit Post-Event Survey Results
Total 2021 Summit Registrants Community, 13, 2% Providers , 218, 36%
Vaya Staff, 379, 62%
Providers
Vaya Staff
Community
Registrants Requesting CEUs
Vaya Staff, 49, 28%
Providers , 124, 72%
Providers
Vaya Staff
Post-event Survey Responses: I am a Other, 4, 4%
Vaya Network Provider, 23, 24%
Vaya Employee, 68, 72%
Vaya Network Provider
Vaya Employee
Other
Post-event Survey Responses: I would prefer future events like this to be I don't have a preference, 34, 36% Virtual, 45, 47%
In-Person, 16, 17% Virtual
In-Person
I don't have a preference
Major Feedback Themes Keep the same
Change
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“Stories from the trenches” External experts CEUs Mixture of Vaya and non-Vaya presenters • Session/event length
Two different events – don’t combine Events should be 1 day Virtual or hybrid format More time for Q&A/breakout sessions More resources/updates before the event
COVID-19 UPDATE
NC DHHS & CDC Updates • To respond to rising COVID-19 trends, NCDHHS has updated its guidance. • In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people who live in areas with high or substantial levels of transmission wear a mask when in indoor public settings - even if they are vaccinated. • In North Carolina, that is already more than 90% of counties.
Vaya Health | Q&A Webinar for Vaya Health Network Providers
COVID-19 FLEXIBILITIES UPDATE
Appendix K Extension • 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”. • The anticipated end date of the federal public health emergency is currently Oct. 20, 2021.
• Appendix K flexibilities are currently extended to April 20, 2022. • This extension applies to all previously approved Appendix K flexibilities for CAP/C, CAP/DA and the Innovations and TBI waivers. Vaya Health | Q&A Webinar for Vaya Health Network Providers
Appendix K Extension • Extended flexibilities will require submission of the updated COVID-19 Appendix K Reporting Form. • The requested effective start date for Appendix K-related changes can be no earlier than April 20, 2021, and the requested effective end date for changes can be no later than April 20, 2022. • REMINDER: 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 Joint Communication Bulletin #375 for details. Vaya Health | Q&A Webinar for Vaya Health Network Providers
COVID-19 Smartphone Contracts Lapsing • Smartphones distributed for member use during COVID-19 will have their contracts lapsed on December 31, 2021 • Members will be allowed to keep the phones to add their own coverage plans • If you have further questions, please reach out to us at provider.info@vayahealth.com Vaya Health | Q&A Webinar for Vaya Health Network Providers
COVID-19 Exposure and Service Change Notifications to Vaya Health • We ask all providers to notify us via email at provider.info@vayhealth.com if there is a change in service availability, site closure, or related exposure to COVID-19. • Please include the date of exposure (or potential exposure) and plan of action (i.e., closing office for two weeks to allow for deep cleaning and disinfecting)
We are all (still) in this together! Vaya Health | Q&A Webinar for Vaya Health Network Providers
ELECTRONIC VISIT VERIFICATION (EVV) UPDATE
EVV Update • HHAeXchange will host three hour and a half webinars for NC LME Providers to provide providers with all the necessary steps and detailed information needed to get acclimated to the HHAeXchange provider portal. • July 27, 2021, at 12pm EST • July 29, 2021, at 2pm EST • August 4, 2021, at 10am EST
• You may click Here to register. • Additional Information may be found Here • Questions can be sent to Support@hhaexchange.com Vaya Health | Q&A Webinar for Vaya Health Network Providers
Q&A SESSION
Questions? Thoughts? Ideas?
OUR NEXT Q&A WEBINAR Friday, August 20, 2021 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Need support? We’re here for you.
provider.info@vayahealth.com