 
Last Updated: 2/1/2022, 10:53 AM
The NCPA is working harder than ever to bring our members the most important, relevant, and up-to-date information and getting it to you through our emails and this webpage, which is continuously being updated.
These are unprecedented times. The NCPA remains committed to each of our nearly 1,000 members and we are here to assist you in any way we can. Thank you for your continued support. Together, we will get through this.
Disclaimer: Because this is such a rapidly evolving situation, please keep in mind that some information may be outdated by the time you read it. We are doing our best to update the document as quickly as possible.
Quicklinks:
General COVID-19 Resources
NCDHHS
NC Department of Health & Human Services (NCDHHS) - This is the most timely, credible, and comprehensive website for all COVID-19 updates related to North Carolina.
We hope psychiatrists will take the opportunity to ask every patient about their vaccine plans, answer any questions and direct patients to reliable sources of information.
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NC Medicaid
NEW NC Medicaid implemented temporary changes to clinical policy based on the NC State of Emergency through Executive Order 116. While many of the temporary changes will continue for the duration of the state of emergency, or become permanent, NC Medicaid has decided to rescind some of the temporary flexibilities effective April 1, 2022. Please see the detailed PDF for more information.
Resources:
LME-MCOs:
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CMS/Medicare
Effective March 6, CMS announced expanded access to telehealth services and has waived certain requirements for Medicare Advantage and Part D plans. Click here to read the full CMS memo and visit the agency's Current Emergencies Website for updates.
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Commercial Insurance
- Aetna
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC
- State Health Plan
- The State Health Plan Board approved emergency authority to respond to COVID-19. Click here to view the changes made to medical and pharmacy benefits for members enrolled in the 80/20 Plan, 70/30 Plan and High Deductible Health Plan.
- Cigna
- Humana
- UnitedHealthcare
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Telepsychiatry: Guidance & Considerations
NC Specific Policies:
Telepsychiatry Resources:
The most important considerations are to think about how you will treat your patients. Consider setting up your own clinical protocols for each patient's appropriateness/ability for using telehealth visits, ensuring patient safety (starting visits with documentation of immediate alternate contact information for both patient, provider, and patient emergency contact), and ensuring patient privacy (i.e., no spouses wandering by your desk during a session). Putting these considerations in writing is the beginning of a Policy & Procedure process that will be helpful.
Research and procure a HIPAA-compliant video platform that you and your patients can use for visits. This article may be helpful, as it includes a couple of suggestions for platforms that are free or low cost for solo practitioners. Again, in this current national emergency, usual standards for using HIPAA-compliant platforms are no longer in place for most, if not all, carriers. Some carriers are paying for telephone sessions with patients as if they were face-to-face office visits. The urgency of the need for patient care is temporarily overriding traditional standards. NCPA is updating the commercial carrier information on insurance coverage for telehealth as we learn it. Please see the Insurance section above for links to their websites.
Special Populations
- Individuals with Substance Use Disorders
- Children, Parents & Families
- NCDHHS and the NC Department of Instruction have set up a phone hotline to assist parents and families with urgent child care needs. This includes first responders, hospital staff, front-line healthcare providers, nursing and adult group home staff, child care program staff, food service staff and other essential workers. This also applies for children who are homeless or in unstable or unsafe living arrangements. Call 1-888-600-1685 to find high-quality, safe child care for infants through children age 12. Please share the hotline number and the attached handout with workers who may need care.
- APA Child & Adolescent Telepsychiatry Toolkit: Developed in partnership with the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP).
- AACAP Coronavirus Resources:
- More Resources:
- Individuals with Disabilities
- Community-Wide Resources
- The United Way of North Carolina has established NC 2-1-1 as a resource for people to call for assistance related to COVID-19. NC 2-1-1 can refer callers to the organizations in their local community best equipped to address their specific health and human services needs including food, shelter, energy assistance, housing, parenting resources, health care, employment, substance abuse treatment, as well as specific resources for older adults and for persons with disabilities, and much more. Simply dial 2-1-1 or TTY 888-892-1162 for assistance.
- North Carolinians can text COVIDNC to 898211 to receive general information and updates about COVID-19. Sign up now to get regular alerts on the rapidly evolving situation and North Carolina’s response.
- Immediate Assistance:
- Ideas for Stay at Home Activities (For children and adults - Includes crafts, activities, and games, as well as virtual classes, museum tours, and concert series.)
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Behavioral Health Issues: Addressing Anxiety, Fear, Trauma & Stigma
NCDHHS is asking all MH/SUD providers to reach out to patients proactively to calm and reassure them. Please strongly discourage asymptomatic people from going to the EDs. Use the resources below for tips on how to communicate with patients about anxiety and stress during times of crisis.
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NC Medical Board
NC Medical Board COVID-19 website with numerous resources, FAQs regarding licensing, and other helpful information.
The NC Medical Board (NCMB) and the NC Rules Review Commission have approved emergency rules allowing a physician or PA who retired or inactivated his or her NC medical license within the past 24 months to quickly obtain a temporary license to support Governor Cooper's declaration of a state of emergency due to COVID-19. The license would authorize the physician or PA to practice for 90 days or until the state of emergency in North Carolina is declared over. Click here to read the emergency rules, and visit the NCMB website for current information.
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APA Resources
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School Guidance
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Collaboration With Other Medical & Mental Health Professional Associations
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News History
This section will be a log of all “Most Recent News” updates posted daily at the beginning of this guide. NCPA will also file all relevant updates within the appropriate category above.
July 21, 2020
The CDC has updated its guidance on the duration of isolation for those testing positive for COVID-19
July 8, 2020
NCDHHS has issued significant new guidance regarding COVID-19 testing:
June 19, 2020
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is extending its expanded reimbursement policy for doctor visits by video or phone through the end of the year and will continue to cover these telehealth visits the same as face-to-face visits. Click here for press release.
June 18, 2020
June 11, 2020
May 19, 2020
April 24, 2020
Presentation: “Caring for Yourself & Others During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Managing Healthcare Workers’ Stress” - Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare - Compassion in Action Webinar Series (March 24, 2020). This presentation includes important information at the Stress First Aid (SFA) Model, a self-care and peer support model developed for those in high-risk occupations like healthcare. It includes seven actions that will help you to identify and address early signs of stress reactions in yourself and others in an ongoing way (not just after “critical incidents”).
April 14, 2020
New COVID-19 Medicaid Bulletin Articles Now Available
March 28, 2020
March 20, 2020
DHHS released a letter to LME/MCOs outlining broad flexibilities regarding funding, administrative barriers, release of 15% LME Medicaid reserves, and releasing $30M more to the LMEs for providers.
New Medicaid Telehealth and Telepsychiatry expansion will go live Monday, March 23. The temporary policy will pay for telehealth at parity with in-office visits, removes “site” restrictions, loosens HIPAA restrictions related to technology, and allows licensed mental health professionals to provide telehealth care. Here is the link to the Medicaid Bulletin page where this new policy will be posted.
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