Hurricane Helene Resources and UpdatesUpdated 10/22/24 Our deepest sympathy goes to all who continue to feel the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene. The NCOS is here to help. We have compiled a list of resources and updates related to the storm. 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: Click here to view our announcement on October 11th regarding relocating Fall Congress from Asheville to Winston-Salem due to Hurricane Helene.
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 NC Medicaid is ensuring continued access to care for NC Medicaid beneficiaries and reimbursement to qualified providers for services rendered during the period of impact due to Hurricane Helene. CMS granted approval effective Oct. 1, 2024, for NC Medicaid to implement a temporary, expedited enrollment process for health care providers to become an NC Medicaid provider due to a natural disaster. This process is available to enroll with an automatic begin date of Sept. 25, 2024. The process will remain available through Dec. 31, 2024 (unless otherwise communicated by DHHS) and is not for providers who are already enrolled with NC Medicaid. Health care providers who will render services to NC Medicaid beneficiaries due to Hurricane Helene may apply through the NCTracks Provider Portal. See the NCTracks Provider homepage for more detail, as well as links to begin enrollment. Instructions are also offered in the Disaster Relief Provider Enrollment Application Job Aid (PRV703), which is available on the NCTracks Provider webpage as well as under Quick Links on the NCTracks Provider Enrollment webpage. Be sure to review the job aid before applying as several preliminary steps are required. Although providers may select any Provider Enrollment Application Type as appropriate, they should select “Disaster Relief Provider Enrollment” on the Online Provider Enrollment Application page of the application to enroll using the temporary, expedited process. Note: Disaster Relief provider enrollment is not for providers who see NC Medicaid beneficiaries on a regular basis. The expedited enrollment is not needed when a provider is already enrolled with NC Medicaid. If you have questions, please contact: Provider Ombudsman: 1-866-304-7062, [email protected] Financial Support Available for Providers Impacted by Hurricane Helene NC Medicaid and the health plans are committed to supporting providers impacted by the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene. The following financial supports may be available to providers, even if they are unable to submit claims or perform services:
Providers in need of financial supports should work directly with health plans to learn what supports each plan is offering and their associated process(es). Click here to view the contact information for each health plan.
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: Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) Automatic Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances (EUC) Policy Applied to MIPS Eligible Clinicians Following Hurricanes Helene and Francine The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Becerra recently released a letter to healthcare leaders and stakeholders on the impacts of Hurricane Helene, which can be found on the HHS website. In response to Hurricanes Helene, CMS has determined that the MIPS automatic EUC policy will apply to MIPS eligible clinicians in the designated affected counties of five states, including North Carolina. MIPS eligible clinicians in these areas will be automatically identified and have all 4 performance categories reweighted to 0% during the data submission period for the 2024 performance period (January 2 to March 31, 2025). This will result in a score equal to the performance threshold, and they'll receive a neutral payment adjustment for the 2026 MIPS payment year. However, if MIPS eligible clinicians in these areas submit data on 2 or more performance categories, they’ll be scored on those performance categories and receive a 2026 MIPS payment adjustment based on their 2024 MIPS final score. NOTE: The MIPS automatic EUC policy doesn’t apply to MIPS eligible clinicians participating in MIPS as a group, subgroup, virtual group, or Alternative Payment Model (APM) Entity. However, groups, virtual groups, and APM Entities can request reweighting through the EUC Exception application. Subgroups will inherit any reweighting approved for their affiliated group; they can’t request reweighting independent of their affiliated group’s status. For more information, reference the MIPS EUC Exception section on the Quality Payment Program Exception Applications webpage. |
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