Hurricane Helene Response

The North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) is working closely with the North Carolina Office of Emergency Services to assess the condition of medical practices in Western North Carolina. Two critical surveys are available on the NCMS website, and it is essential that all healthcare facilities affected by Hurricane Helene complete them. 

We understand that many offices are still without power, internet or phone service. If you are receiving this message and can contact other physicians in the area, please help by ensuring they submit this important information. Please answer a few questions about Helene's impact on your practice:

Carolina Complete Health is Here to Help

Carolina Compete Health and Carolina Complete Health Network stand with the communities affected by Hurricane Helene. Our team is actively supporting members, providers, and employees, while coordinating efforts with local health organizations and NC DHHS to address the operational challenges many of you are facing. We are here to support you as recovery efforts continue. Read the full message here.

Provider Information

Financial Support

The October 9 NC Medicaid Bulletin describes financial supports available to providers impacted by the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene. Please contact Carolina Complete Health's Provider Support Line: 833-552-3876 or networkrelations@cch-network.com for more information.

• Provider Hardship and Stabilization Form (PDF)
• Hardship Policy FAQ (PDF)

NC Department of Emergency Management

• Hurricane Helene Recovery
• FAQs

NC Medicaid

• Stay tuned to NC Medicaid Blogs for provider guidance around reimbursement, enrollment and providing care for Medicaid beneficiaries in the wake of Hurricane Helene. The October 11 bulletin describes flexibilities for the NC Medicaid program, including NC Medicaid Direct and NC Medicaid Managed Care. Updates will be provided as they become available.
• Medicaid Providers: Medicaid cannot suspend the Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) requirements. If internet or phone service is down due to Hurricane Helene, providers should use the manual entry process. Make sure to note the reason for using manual entry in your records. 

Provider Reminders

• Always check NC Medicaid eligibility in NCTracks to confirm beneficiary enrollment in NC Medicaid, especially when the beneficiary presents without a Medicaid ID or their health plan ID card, to determine which health benefit the beneficiary is enrolled in and whether their eligibility remains current.
• A provider cannot refuse to provide services if a beneficiary cannot pay a copay at the time of service. This is especially important during this time when members may not have cash due to the impacts of Hurricane Helene and providers may have limited abilities to process bank and credit cards. 
• Due to the impacts of Hurricane Helene, we encourage providers to update their phone systems to reflect any changes in office hours or closures. It's important to ensure automated appointment reminders are accurate, especially if your operations have been affected. This will help patients stay informed and avoid confusion during this time.

Expedited Enrollment via NCTracks

• The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) granted approval effective Oct. 1, 2024, for DHHS to implement a temporary, expedited enrollment process for health care professionals to become an NC Medicaid provider due to a natural disaster. This process is not for providers who regularly see NC Medicaid beneficiaries. 
• 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.

NC Medical Board Emergency Licensure

• The North Carolina Medical Board has activated the Limited Emergency License to help facilitate medical professionals volunteering their time and skills to help communities in need.
• Physicians and physician assistants with a full North Carolina license are able to volunteer without obtaining a volunteer license. Licensees should check in with the NC FEMA office for volunteer needs before arriving in the region.
• For out of state physicians and PAs that do not currently have a license in North Carolina, there are two easy pathways to temporary licensure under the emergency policy. Visit NC Medical Board's Disaster page for more information

Physician Assistant and Nurse Practitioner Flexibilities

• May practice without a supervising physician and supervisory agreement while in the affected region.
• May write prescriptions without a supervisory agreement; PAs must notify the Board that they are going to work in the affected area without supervision. Interested licensees should send an email to supervisory@ncmedboard.org.
• This limited approval to work without supervision is in effect until March 1, 2025.
• View more details from NC Medical Board.

NC Board of Pharmacy

• The NC Board of Pharmacy (NCBOP) has a list of open community pharmacies. This list includes the addresses and phone numbers of pharmacies by county. Please note that, due to the disaster, some pharmacies may face supply issues.

Out of State Provider Lite Enrollment

• Out-of-State (OOS) providers are those located more than 40 miles outside of the borders of North Carolina. Border providers are those providers who render services within 40 miles of the North Carolina border. Out of State providers have the option of submitting a full application for a five-year enrollment period, or an abbreviated application for a 12-month enrollment period, referred to OOS lite-enrollment.
  • NC Medicaid Out of State Provider Enrollment Information
  • NCTracks Out-of-State Participate User Guide available on the NCTracks User Guide webpage.
  • Enrollment begins from the NCTracks Provider Enrollment page.

Additional Resources and Information

• North Carolina Community Health Center Association Helene Recovery Resources
• The Latest from NCMS on Hurricane Helene