NCTracks
A Message from NCTracks on Behalf of NC Medicaid Provider Update: NC Medicaid COVID-19
“Provider Update” is a regular communication to Medicaid and NC Health Choice providers to help keep them informed of statewide COVID-19 announcements and information. Please look for future updates to arrive through NCTracks.
This issue of Provider Update contains the following latest information on North Carolina’s COVID-19 response:
- NC Moves to Safer At Home Phase 2
- NCDHHS Reports Highest One-Day Increase of COVID-19 Positive Tests
- NCDHHS Launches Interactive COVID-19 Dashboard
- Measures Expanded to Prevent and Respond to COVID-19 in Long-term Care Facilities
- First Case of MIS-C Reported in North Carolina
- NCDHHS Partners on Innovative Safety Training Program for Restaurants, Other Businesses
- NCDHHS Provides One-Time Payment to Families with Children in Work First Cash Assistance Program
- Federal Stimulus Payments Issued Include Individuals with Disabilities
- New Guidance Available
NC Moves to Safer At Home Phase 2
On May 22, North Carolina moved to Safer At Home Phase 2. After two weeks in Phase 1, the state’s overall key indicators remain stable but the continued increases in daily case counts signal a need to take a more modest step forward in Phase 2 than originally envisioned.
- Executive Order 141
- NEW: Updated FAQ
- NEW: Executive Order Guidance on Bars
- What Phase 2 Means for North Carolina
- Guidance
NCDHHS Reported Highest One-Day Increase of COVID-19 Positive Tests
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reported over the weekend the state’s highest one-day number of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases with 1,107 cases reported. “This is a notable and concerning increase. As we head[ed] into a holiday weekend, [individuals were asked to] please practice the three Ws – wear a face covering, wait six feet apart, and wash your hands frequently. When it comes to our health, we need to work together to protect our families, friends and neighbors,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen.
NCDHHS Launches Interactive COVID-19 Dashboard
The interactive dashboard provides an overview on the metrics and capacities that the state is following to inform decisions to responsibly ease measures that slow the spread of the virus. It also includes the ability to filter cases and deaths by demographic information (i.e., race, ethnicity, gender and age). For example, if a user selects a race, data will display for the ethnicity, gender and age breakdown for that racial group for cases or deaths.
Measures Expanded to Prevent and Respond to COVID-19 in Long-term Care Facilities
NCDHHS is taking further action to prevent and respond to COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities. All long-term care facilities in the state will receive personal protective equipment (PPE) packs of needed supplies, and facilities will receive a limited increased rate for some Medicaid services to support infection prevention and management.
First Case of MIS-C Reported in North Carolina
While children generally experience mild symptoms with COVID-19, recently a possible link has been found between COVID-19 and a serious inflammatory disease in some children and teenagers who have current or recent infections. The first reports of this syndrome came from the United Kingdom in late April. Cases in the United States were first reported in New York City in early May. NCDHHS has requested reporting of suspected cases of MIS-C from all health care providers. MIS-C is a very rare condition, but as COVID-19 cases increase, additional reports of MIS-C could follow. Because children with this syndrome may become seriously ill, it is important that parents and caregivers know the signs and symptoms their children may have so they can get help right away.
NCDHHS Partners on Innovative Safety Training Program for Restaurants, Other Businesses
Count on Me NC is a free online training program to help restaurants, hotels and other businesses learn the best ways to protect customers and employees from COVID-19. It is a public-private partnership led by the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA) Foundation and developed with the NC Department of Health and Human Services, NC State Extension and Visit North Carolina.
NCDHHS Provides One-Time Payment to Families with Children in Work First Cash Assistance Program
Today, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) began distributing a one-time supplemental payment to families enrolled in the Work First Cash Assistance program with one or more children. These payments are intended to help vulnerable families during the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Federal Stimulus Payments Issued Include Individuals with Disabilities
Federal stimulus payments are being issued and this includes payment to individuals with disabilities. Providers/licensees that also serve as Representative Payees for Social Security Administration (SSA) beneficiaries with disabilities should ensure payees understand that federal stimulus checks, known also as “Economic Impact Payments (EIP),” belong solely for the use of and by the beneficiary –not the payee. We have posted guidance under the Individuals guidance page on our COVID page.
New Guidance Available