COVID-19 Email Update - March 25, 2021

Special Non-COVID Notice

The information below is from Ronda Owen, Program Manager for NC Medicaid Optical Services:

NC Medicaid Managed Care will launch on July 1, 2021. Some Medicaid beneficiaries will remain in Medicaid Direct (current fee-for-service model) and many will enroll with a Medicaid managed care organization.

On Thursday, April 1, 2021 from 5:30-6:30 PM, NC Medicaid, in partnership with Area Health Education Centers, will conduct a webinar that will include a brief overview (5-10 minutes) of optical services in the Medicaid managed care world. Optical services include routine eye exams, eyeglasses, and medically necessary contact lenses. 

Both Medicaid and non-Medicaid providers are welcome. To register for this event, click here. Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and look for the black oval link that reads ‘Register for Medicaid Managed Care topics’. 

Additionally, during the month of April, there will be a Virtual Office Hours (VOH) event during business hours. During the VOH event, more detailed information will be shared. The VOH date will be announced soon.

Dr. Rebecca Wartman Comment: I attend most of these webinars held in conjunction with AHEC. If you would like to attend, WONDERFUL. If not, I will ensure all the information is included in the Eye on Third Party bi-monthly newsletter.


The State of COVID-19 Today

The US has about 25% (85.5 million) of the population having had at least one COVID-19 vaccination, per the CDC. That brings the total to approximately 85.5 million people having been vaccinated and more than 46 million people (>14% of the population) are now fully vaccinated. Yet, there are 19 states where the infection numbers are again on the rise. 



COVID-19 in NC

The statistics for COVID-19 in North Carolina continue to improve. We have had a total of 901,262 cases officially reported in our state. The current trend is still going down which is excellent. However, keep in mind, that nationally there is concern of a fourth wave coming so continue to follow the “Three W’s” and follow all the CDC guidelines.


NC Optometrists and COVID-19 Vaccine Administration

Thanks to the efforts of a great number of people, the NCSBEO is hoping to have policies in place in the next three weeks which will allow optometrists in North Carolina to provide COVID-19 vaccinations for the duration of this public health emergency. Stay tuned for more information from the NCSBEO. Good news indeed for those who want to be a part of the massive public health endeavor to get North Carolinians vaccinated quickly.



All NC Adults Will Be Eligible for COVID Vaccine by Early April

Essential workers who haven’t received the COVID vaccine yet — and soon all adults — will be eligible to get their shots earlier than planned.

Gov. Roy Cooper announced today that he is moving up the eligibility dates for North Carolina’s remaining COVID-19 vaccine groups.

The second part of Group 4, people who are classified as essential workers, will become eligible on March 31, while all people 16 years and older, Group 5, will be able to sign up for a shot on April 7.

Click here for more information.


Gov. Cooper Announces North Carolina Will Relax Some COVID-19 Restrictions

State’s trends continue to move in the right direction and key indicators used to inform decisions throughout the pandemic remain stable.

Executive Order No. 204 has three general categories of occupancy restrictions: up to 100 percent capacity, 75 percent capacity, and 50 percent capacity. All businesses must continue to maintain the 6 feet of distance requirement between patrons and implement other safety protocols as they expand their capacity. 

Executive Order No. 204 will also increase mass gathering limits. The number of people who may gather indoors will increase from 25 to 50 and the number of people who may gather outdoors will increase from 50 to 100. This Order also fully lifts the restriction on the late-night sale and service of alcoholic beverages on bars, restaurants, and other establishments.

Click here to view which establishments are open to 100%, 75%, and 50% capacity.

Click here to read Executive Order No. 204 and here for Executive Order No. 204 FAQs.


A Tax Surprise For Some PPP Recipients

Dr. Rebecca Wartman Comment: Time to write to all your state representatives in the NC Legislature to get them to act now!

Some business owners who took PPP loans are being surprised by the state gub'ment this spring. N.C. is one of 16 states that doesn't allow deductions for business expenses paid by PPP loans. That means if you used the money to cover payroll or rent or utilities, the state will tax you — even though the federal folks forgave the loans.

"We didn't budget for that, and that was a nice little hit," Brad Battaglia, who owns Taste of Buffalo Pizzeria in Huntersville with his wife Donna, told WSOC. Some states have recently passed measures to conform to the federal standard. Two bills were introduced in the N.C. Senate last month and referred to committee.


2021 Special Enrollment Period Access Extended to August 15 on HealthCare.gov for Marketplace Coverage

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is extending access to the Special Enrollment Period (SEP) until August 15 – giving consumers additional time to take advantage of new savings through the American Rescue Plan. This action provides new and current enrollees an additional three months to enroll or re-evaluate their coverage needs with increased tax credits available to reduce premiums.

Click here for more information.


NC DHHS At-Home COVID-19 Testing Policy Letter

A variety of testing modalities for SARS-CoV-2 continue to emerge. Throughout the pandemic, molecular and antigen testing have been widely used for diagnostic purposes. The tests have typically been performed in a clinical laboratory or healthcare provider’s office/facility. However, at-home test options are increasing, which will permit an individual to perform a test for SARS-CoV-2 within their home and obtain a result in about 15 minutes.

At-home testing technologies and understanding of best use cases are evolving; therefore, guidance will change. This initial document is modelled after the DHHS Antigen Testing Guidance. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also provides general information on at-home testing for the public.



Click here for more information.


Krispy Kreme COVID-19 Vaccine Offer

Dr. Rebecca Wartman Comment: And, finally, for those DONUT LOVERS out there who need one extra push to get vaccinated or want to encourage your patients to be vaccinated!

Krispy Kreme is finding ways to be sweet as the U.S. continues to scale COVID-19 vaccinations. To show their support for those who choose to get vaccinated, starting Monday, 3/22, anyone who shows their COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card will receive a free Original Glazed® doughnut. Each individual guest who requests the COVID-19 offer will be limited to one (1) Original Glazed® doughnut per day, no purchased required.

Click here to view the offer.

But even this sparked debate so be forewarned:

Leana Wen, MD, sparked a Twitter storm by predicting a 15-pound weight gain for anyone taking up Krispy Kreme's offer of a free donut every day for a year to anyone getting the COVID vaccination.

Click here to read more.


New Resources

KFF/The Washington Post Frontline Health Care Workers Survey

Children and COVID-19: State-Level Data Report. American Academy of Pediatrics

Dynamics Of SARS-Cov-2 Neutralizing Antibody Responses And Duration Of Immunity: A Longitudinal Study

The US Could See A 4th Coronavirus Surge Driven By New Variants, CDC Chief Warns, As Cases Rise Across More Than Half The Country

Impact of the Influenza Vaccine on COVID-19 Infection Rates and Severity

SARS-Cov-2 Transmission Without Symptoms

NIAID Statement on AstraZeneca Vaccine

Phase III Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study of AZD1222 for the Prevention of COVID-19 in Adults

Astrazeneca U.S. Trial Data A Confidence Booster For COVID-19 Shot

Mask Up...and Dry Out?

COVID-19 Jabs Did the Job for Healthcare Workers


NCOS COVID-19 Updates & Resources Page

Click here!


COVID-19 Statistics

NCDHHS COVID-19 Dashboard

Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

WorldoMeter Coronavirus Website

The COVID Tracking Project