Hurricane HeleneQuick Guide:How to Help | Patient Care | Trainings | Updates from the State | Mental Health Support Last updated 10/9/2024 at 4:06pm Tell Us What Your Needs AreNCPA offers its support to our members affected by the storm. Please use [email protected] to communicate your personal and professional needs. As you assess your situation, please let us know what we can do to help. NEW! We are working with the State, NC Medical Board, NC Medical Society and others to assess which practices are open to any degree and what their immediate needs are. For those in the impacted region of the state, we are asking that you complete TWO surveys. Both surveys must be completed and submitted separately.
How to HelpDo not self-deploy. Travel and resources in Western North Carolina remains limited. Please stay off the roads to allow emergency responders, utility crews and supplies can get through. Volunteer Opportunities VolunteerNC is looking for volunteers to help serve our state with disaster services. The information you provide will be shared with NC VOADs (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.) These organizations work together to support disaster response and recovery in North Carolina. NEW! The American Red Cross seeks Disaster Mental Health Volunteers. They are expediting those living within 60 miles of the affected area. There are licensure requirements, significant disaster mental health training is required and 10-14 day deployments are part of the volunteer time. This volunteer opportunity will not be immediate but this will be an ongoing need. Click here for a guide to becoming an American Red Cross Volunteer. NEW! The North Carolina Psychiatric Association (NCPA), in conjunction with the NC Psychological Association, the National Association for Social Work - NC Chapter, and the NC Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, is compiling a list of mental health providers offering free or sliding-scale services. This list will be posted and distributed by Mid-October. Sign up by October 17. If you work in a health system with facilities in the affected region and would like to volunteer, check with your health systems administrators. Donate to 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 Tropical Storm 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, visit nc.gov/donate. Donations can also be mailed to: NC Disaster Relief Fund, 20312 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-0312. Donate to a National Organization You can donate financially or donate blood through the American Red Cross. Donate to a Local Organization NEW! The NCMS Foundation Disaster Relief Fund is collecting funs to help practices impacted by Hurricane Helene. TrainingsJust In Time Training was prepared by the North Carolina Disaster Behavioral Health Committee. This hour long video training provides overview of entering shelter, what to expect, structure of shelter, how to be most effective in shelter setting. Disaster and Preventative Psychiatry: Protecting Health and Fostering Community Resilience will cover topics such as: the basic concepts in disaster and preventive psychiatry, psychological and behavioral effects of disasters, risk and vulnerability to disasters, psychological first aid, risk and crisis communication, leadership consultation and preparedness for disasters. Psychological First Aid is an early intervention to support children, adolescents, adults, and families impacted by disasters. For community and mental health providers who plan to continue working with affected communities long-term, review Skills for Psychological Recovery and the SPR Online course. Caring for PatientsGovernor Cooper Issues Executive Order 318 to Increase Capacity to Healthcare to Respond to Helene Executive Order 318 allows for physicians licensed in other states, territories, or the District of Columbia, but not licensed in North Carolina to provide care in North Carolina. It also allows physicians who are retired or have inactive licensed to provide care. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid has approved a list of waivers for North Carolina, the list can be found in the Provider Bulletin Reminder to Providers on Hurricane Helene Approved Waivers for North Carolina issued Oct. 4, 2024. People receiving Medicaid can fill prescriptions early. Effective September 26, Medicaid is allowing for early refills of prescriptions. NC Medicaid enrolled pharmacy providers have been approved to fill these prescriptions early and will follow applicable co-pay requirements, including people who have temporarily relocated out of state due to the emergency. This early refill is being allowed while the Governor’s State of Emergency order remains in place to ensure that all Medicaid beneficiaries have access to necessary medications. NEW! Pharmacy Board Flexibilities The NC Board of Pharmacies has a list of operating pharmacies in counties affected by Hurricane Helene. Each of the 25 counties, and the EBCI Tribal Area, have at least one pharmacy open and filing prescriptions.
Veterans Affairs Updates The Asheville VA has a dedicated page disseminating updates for local veterans who may be at risk, as well as staff involved in response efforts, much of this information is useful for citizens of WNC. Information includes WiFi locations, list of shelters, locations offering showering and laundry facilities, veterinary assistance, food/water/baby supplies, and more. Liability Coverage for Volunteers § 90-21.14. First aid or emergency treatment; liability limitation state law indicates that any volunteer should be covered for liability under the good Samaritan coverage, however be cautioned that this language can be up for interpretation. Before volunteering, please check with your insurance carrier and be sure to clarify that you are volunteering for relief efforts. Medication assisted treatment is available. Individuals receiving medication assisted treatment from an opioid treatment program may take home additional doses for treatment or receive guest-dosing at another licensed opioid treatment program. Other locations can be found in the Central Registry. Licensure and Telehealth Across State Lines If you have patients who have evacuated or relocated to another state due to the hurricane, please be aware of the licensure requirements for providing telehealth care. Physicians must generally be licensed in the state where the patient is physically located to provide telehealth services. Some states have implemented licensure waivers in response to the hurricane. For instance, Tennessee currently has a waiver in place under Executive Order 105. However, Virginia and South Carolina do not have such waivers in place at this time, and the usual rules still apply. Before providing telehealth care to a patient in another state, please check that state's medical board for any relevant licensure waivers or emergency provisions. Your attention to this matter is crucial in ensuring that we remain compliant with state laws while offering much-needed care. Ensure children with complex medical needs and adults with disabilities or serious health conditions are safe. Case managers are implementing required disaster plans for Community Alternatives Program for Children and Community Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults. Make it easier for health care providers to participate in Medicaid as part of disaster relief. To ensure there are medical professionals on the ground, health care providers can apply to be a NC Medicaid provider through a temporary, expedited process. Ensure people get medically necessary services. NC Medicaid providers will not need to get prior authorization for medically necessary drugs, equipment and supplies provided during the Hurricane Helene emergency. People covered by NC Medicaid who have temporarily relocated out of state due to the emergency will be reimbursed for medically necessary services. Maintain support for people with traumatic brain injury or intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. When direct support is not available due to the emergency, relatives may provide Community Living and Supports, Supported Employment and Supported Living. People who have temporarily relocated out of state due to the emergency may receive Innovations Waiver services without prior authorization, including respite. And NC Medicaid will cover the replacement or repair of homes or vehicle modifications damaged by Hurricane Helene. |