Hurricane Helene Resources and UpdatesUpdated 10/4/24 Our deepest sympathy goes to all who are feeling the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene. The NCOS is here to help. Please let us know if you or someone you know has been affected by Hurricane Helene. We are working hard to gather information on our NC optometry family and will be providing updates as they become available. IF YOU NEED SUPPORT: Optometry's Fund for Disaster Relief Optometry's Fund for Disaster Relief, a program of The AOA Foundation, serves to provide immediate financial assistance to optometrists in need. NC optometrists, both members and non-members, can receive up to $4,000 in financial aid in as little as a week (via ACH or mail). Those in need may apply for aid here, and we encourage people to share this information with colleagues who may be affected. You may apply as an individual on behalf of your practice and receive assistance for both your residence and practice. If you would like to apply but need assistance, please contact the NCOS office. FEMA FEMA is providing aid to those who have been affected. Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in declared disaster areas can begin applying for assistance online or by calling 1-800-621-3362. American Red Cross The American Red Cross is on the ground helping people who have been impacted by Hurricane Helene. Click here for more information or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) if you need assistance - 24 hours a day. U.S. Small Business Administration The U.S. Small Business Administration can provide low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, homeowners, and renters to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery & equipment, inventory and business assets that have been damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster. You can find out more information here. Asheville/WNC Resources The crowd sourced website www.ashevillerelief.com provides a long list of resources and updates for those in Asheville/WNC and is being updated in real time. Other Resources NC Medicaid has compiled a list of valuable resources to assist with recovery. These resources include essential links and other critical information designed to help individuals and families access the services they need during this difficult time.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP: Optometry's Fund for Disaster Relief Optometry's Fund for Disaster Relief, a program of The AOA Foundation, serves to provide immediate financial assistance to optometrists in need. NC optometrists, both members and non-members, can receive up to $4,000 in financial aid in as little as a week (via ACH or mail). Individuals can receive assistance for both their residence and practice. If any individuals or local societies would like to donate to Optometry's Fund for Disaster Relief to help those impacted, they may do so here. NC Disaster Relief Fund Governor Roy Cooper is encouraging donations to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund to help communities recover from catastrophic damage caused by Helene. Donations made to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund will go to nonprofits working to meet the immediate needs of storm victims such as food and water, cleaning supplies and other emergency supplies. All of the donations made will go to disaster relief. To donate to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund click here. American Red Cross You can donate financially or donate blood through the American Red Cross. Click here for more information. United Way of North Carolina The United Way of North Carolina is working with county officials for this long-term recovery and rebuilding. Click here to donate. VolunteerNC VolunteerNC is looking for volunteers to help serve our state with disaster services. You can sign up here and can indicate what county you wish to volunteer in and the type of services you are willing to provide, healthcare or otherwise. Please keep in mind that many of the organizations involved are still in the process of setting up their sites. The state is asking that you do not self deploy.
FALL CONGRESS: As we continue to learn more about the devastation left behind by Hurricane Helene in our western NC communities, our first priority is ensuring that all those in our optometric family are safe and providing support for those impacted. We are actively determining the feasibility of hosting Fall Congress in Asheville at the Renaissance Hotel, while simultaneously working on a contingency plan to host the meeting in a different part of the state. Our goal is to continue to provide top notch CE and conduct our business and events for our attendees. For those registered, the deadline to cancel your registration and receive a full refund has been extended. If you've determined you will no longer attend Fall Congress no matter the location, please contact Christy Santacana at [email protected] for a refund. Otherwise, we ask for your patience as we navigate this difficult situation. We expect to have an update by the end of next week.
NC MEDICAID: Temporary Flexibilities Due to Hurricane Helene North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper issued Executive Order 315 on Sept. 25, 2024, which declared a state of emergency for North Carolina in anticipation of potential severe weather caused by the approach of Hurricane Helene. NC Medicaid is working with county and federal partners to make it faster and easier for beneficiaries to receive—and for health care professionals to provide—Medicaid care and services. Disaster Relief Applications for Health Care Professionals Not Currently Enrolled as an NC Medicaid Provider The NC Department of Health and Human Services is ensuring continued access to care for NC Medicaid beneficiaries, as well as reimbursement to qualified providers for services rendered, in good faith, throughout the period of impacts from Hurricane Helene, retroactively from Sept. 25, 2024, through Oct. 15, 2024 (unless otherwise communicated by DHHS).
Health care professionals who will be rendering services to NC Medicaid beneficiaries due to Hurricane Helene can complete and submit an application through the NCTracks Provider Portal. Please refer to the disaster provider enrollment job aid Disaster Relief Provider Enrollment Application Job Aid (PRV703) located under Quick Links on the NCTracks Provider Enrollment home page for necessary instructions to complete the temporary disaster provider enrollment application. Be sure to review the job aid before starting to complete the application, as several preliminary steps are necessary. Providers must indicate the application is for Disaster Relief by answering “Yes” to the Disaster Relief enrollment question on the Basic Information page of the application.
MEDICARE: Resources & Flexibilities to Assist with the Public Health Emergency in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, & South CarolinaHHS Secretary Xavier Becerra determined that public health emergencies exist in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and South Carolina. CMS is working closely with these states to put flexibilities in place to ensure those affected by this natural disaster have access to the care they need – when they need it most. CMS stands ready to assist with resources and waivers to ensure hospitals and other facilities can continue to operate and provide access to care to those impacted by the consequences of the hurricane. More Information: CMS to Provide Hurricane Helene Public Health Emergency Accelerated Payments to Medicare Fee-for-Service Providers and SuppliersHHS, through CMS, is taking action to support providers and suppliers impacted by Hurricane Helene within the Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster zones, under the President’s major disaster declarations. These providers and suppliers may face significant cash flow issues from the unusual circumstances impacting facilities’ operations, preventing facilities from submitting claims and receiving Medicare claims payments. CMS made available accelerated payments to Medicare Part A providers and advance payments to Medicare Part B suppliers affected by Hurricane Helene beginning October 2, 2024. More Information: |
Facebook Feed
Our Partners
