2016 Partners Needs Assessment and Gaps Analysis Survey
Closes TOMORROW, February 19
Partners wants input from every person and from every perspective touched in some way by mental illness, substance use disorders, or intellectual and developmental disabilities to assist us in developing our annual Needs Assessment and Service Gaps Analysis.
If you have already completed this year’s survey, thank you! If not, please take a few minutes to complete the survey before Friday, February 19. (survey closed)
Partners will use the survey and other tools–focus groups, consultation with community and provider stakeholders, and extensive data analytics–to develop an plan for a more targeted deployment of precious healthcare resources. We appreciate your help in this process.
Rate Increases – Innovations Day Supports (Individual) and Innovations Day Supports (Group)
In response to provider requests for rate modifications to support service delivery, Partners has approved rate increases for Innovations Day Supports (Individual) and Innovations Day Supports (Group). The rate increases are effective March 1, 2016.
Innovations Day Supports (Individual)
| T2021 Individual Current Rate | T2021 Individual Rate Increase effective 3/1/2016 |
| $6.01 | $6.18 |
Innovations Day Supports (Group)
| T2021HQ Group Current Rate | |
| $3.84 | $4.01 |
UPDATE – Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Assessment Implementation
In Provider Communication Bulletin #52, Partners announced that it would implement the use of the CANS tool in March. That date has now changed to April 1, 2016, so we can ensure that the tool works effectively and you, the provider, have time to receive training.
Partners is in the process of scheduling CANS training webinars and will announce dates and registration links as soon as possible. Please make sure to check next week’s Provider Communication Bulletin for more details.
LME-MCO Communication Bulletin #J180 – 1915 (b)(3) Services
On January 26, 2016, the North Carolina Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services (DMH) and the Division of Medical Assistance (DMA) issued Joint Communication Bulletin #J180.
Per #J180, “LME-MCO enrollees are entitled to receive 1915(b)(3) services and may submit appeals for denials by LME-MCOs. 1915(b)(3) services are an entitlement up to the statewide waiver spending limits, which may differ from the LME-MCO’s budgets. Beneficiary appeals should be upheld if the services are medically necessary and the waiver spending limit has not been exceeded. Currently, this limit is greater than the statewide average 1915(b)(3) capitation rates”.
This is a change in policy regarding 1915 (b)(3) services. Previously, access to (b)(3) services were not an entitlement or guaranteed. As always, Partners will evaluate the need for 1915 (b)(3) services based on medical necessity.
1915 (b)(3) services can only be delivered by providers who have those specific codes in their contract. Partners will remove the budget limitations related to 1915 (b)(3) services from provider contracts.
This policy change was made in relation to future spending implications. Per #J180, “If LME-MCOs are not utilizing 1915 (b)(3) services, the state will eventually lose the capacity to maintain and/or future expand 1915 (b)(3) spending/services in the renewal effective August 2018; this would limit the states’ ability to increase the 1913 (b)(3) capitation rates in the future.”
DMA and DMH seeking Letters of Intent for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs)
The North Carolina Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services (DMH) and the Division of Medical Assistance (DMA) are seeking letters of intent from community behavioral health organizations, federally qualified health centers or other integrated care non-profit organizations that are interested in being certified as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC).
To learn more about this opportunity, and view the application and submission timelines, click here.