Daily COVID-19 Email Update - June 1, 2020

In light of recent events around our cities, please let us know if you had any damage to your office by emailing us at [email protected]. Thank you and stay safe.


NCTracks Annual Provider Survey

The NCTracks Annual Provider Survey for 2020 is now available. This survey focuses on the aspects of NCTracks that involve direct customer interaction such as the call center, provider relations, training and communications, as well as functional areas, such as pharmacy prior approval and provider enrollment. Unless otherwise noted, the time period for which this survey applies is from July 1, 2019 to present. 

The survey is anonymous unless you choose to identify yourself. The survey is open to all NCTracks providers and is newly designed to take less than 10 minutes to complete. This survey is authorized by the NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and will be open for responses until June 15, 2020. 

Click here to start the survey. 


SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #91: Federal Provider Relief Fund: Guidance on How to Access "General Distribution" Funds 

Congress created a $175 billion Provider Relief Fund to support providers as they deal with COVID-19. Recently, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) began distribution of the first $50 billion of this fund-through the so-called "General Distribution" mechanism-for providers who billed Medicare in 2019. 

Click here to read the bulletin.


United Health Care Notice on Telehealth

Medicare Advantage Telehealth ends September 30th. For COVID-19 related visits, cost sharing will be waived for in-network telehealth services from March 31, 2020 through July 24, 2020. For non-COVID-19 visits, cost sharing will be waived for in-network telehealth services from March 31, 2020 through June 18, 2020.

Click here to view the United Health Care notice.

Click here for more information.


Can You Catch COVID-19 Through Your Eyes?

"You can catch COVID-19 if an infected person coughs or sneezes and contagious droplets enter your nose or mouth. But can you become ill if the virus lands in your eyes? Virologist Joseph Fair, PhD, an NBC News contributor, raised that concern when he became critically ill with COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. From a hospital bed in his hometown of New Orleans, he told the network that he had flown on a crowded plane where flight attendants weren't wearing masks. He wore a mask and gloves, but no eye protection." 

Click here to read the full article. 

You can view the referenced pre-published study here


SECO Live CE Webinars

Oral Pharmaceuticals in Eyecare

Details: 
Oral pharmaceuticals are essential tools in the management of patients in optometric practices. This course will primarily discuss diagnoses that need to utilize oral (systemic) antibiotics, antivirals, and pain medications in eye care patients. Additional oral medications may be described when applicable to a patient case. Practical information regarding the identification of adverse/allergic reactions, pregnancy and dosing will be discussed.
When: June 2, 2020 at 7:00 PM

Register Now

AMD A to Z

Details: As AMD becomes more prevalent, it is more important to be up to date with diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Trends in diagnostic technologies as well as advances in treatments will be discussed.
When: June 4, 2020 at 7:00 PM

Register Now


Pandemic's Overall Death Toll in U.S. Likely Surpassed 100,000 Weeks Ago

"The number of people reported to have died of the novel coronavirus in the United States surpassed 100,000 this week, a grim marker of lives lost directly to the disease, but an analysis of overall deaths during the pandemic shows that the nation probably reached a similar terrible milestone three weeks ago." Specifically, "between March 1 and May 9, the nation recorded an estimated 101,600 excess deaths, or deaths beyond the number that would normally be expected for that time of year, according to an analysis conducted for The Washington Post by a research team led by the Yale School of Public Health." This "figure reflects about 26,000 more fatalities than were attributed to [COVID-19] on death certificates during that period, according to federal data."

Click here to read the full article.


2020 Virtual Spring Congress

Join us on Saturday, June 13th from the comfort and safety of your home for 6 hours of live-streamed, COPE-approved continuing education and 1 hour of general credit!

NCOS members James Fanelli, OD and Eric Schmidt, OD will be lecturing. Member rate is $100.

Click here for details and to register.


New Resources

Association of Stay-at-Home Orders With COVID-19 Hospitalizations in 4 States (5/27/20)

Smoking Cessation-Progress, Barriers, and New Opportunities The Surgeon General's Report on Smoking Cessation (5/20/20)

Governor Cooper and Dr. Mandy Cohen Answer Kids' Questions About COVID-19 (5/20/20)


NCOS COVID-19 Updates & Resources Page

Click here!


COVID-19 Statistics

NCDHHS COVID-19 Dashboard

Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

WorldoMeter Coronavirus Website