Last updated August 2, 2023 at 11:24 a.m.

Frontline Caregivers Stress Management

NC AHEC Practice Support and AHEC Library Services offer this resource list to aid clinicians in managing stress as a result of providing care during the COVID-19 pandemic, including access to counseling and therapy; apps to encourage mindfulness and meditation and for treating anxiety and depression; and guides for sleep and mental health care.

Leaving COVID-19 at Work

The coronavirus pandemic has created unique challenges and stressors. These stressors may affect our mental and emotional health. As healthcare workers, you are doing all that you can to take care of your patients in difficult circumstances. This document provides information on the importance of self-care and taking time for personal wellness.

Resources for Personal Wellness

Managing Mental Health During COVID-19 from the American Medical Association (AMA)

COVID-19 Behavioral Health Resources: Self-Care and Resilience Resources for Responders and Healthcare Workers from the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Technical Resources, Assistance Center, and Information Exchange (ASPR TRACIE)

Mental Health and COVID-19: Information and Resources for First Responders from Mental Health America

APA Coronavirus Resources from the American Psychiatric Association

Emergency Responders: Tips for Taking Care of Yourself from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Taking Care of Your Emotional Health from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Disaster Behavioral Health Resources from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Telehealth for Patients from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

COVID-19 Behavioral Health Resources for First Responders from the Federal Healthcare Resilience Task Force: EMS/Prehospital Team

Last updated February 1, 2022 10:38 a.m.

American Lung Association: Telehealth as a Vehicle to Support Tobacco Cessation

The American Lung Association offers an extensive guide for providers looking to utilize telehealth as a method for delivering tobacco cessation services and solutions to their patients.

AAFP Telehealth and Virtual Care Resources

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) offers a collection of resources on using telehealth to care for patients during COVID-19.

AMA Coding Guidance during COVID-19

The American Medical Association (AMA) has developed a number of valuable resources to help practices apply the best coding practices during COVID-19.

• Special coding advice. Not compatible with mobile browsers.
• CPT reporting for COVID-19 testing
• CMS payment policies and regulatory flexibilities
• Telehealth Implementation Playbook

NC AHEC Chronic Care and Wellness Services Telehealth Visit Toolkit

NC AHEC Practice Support offers a toolkit containing several tip sheets that take a look at the traditional delivery methods of common primary care visits and how they may look when converted to a telehealth platform. Tips sheets in the packet include the following: Annual Wellness Visit, Chronic Care Management Services, and Transitional Care Management Services.

NC AHEC Telehealth and High-Risk Patient Management Checklist

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, primary care practices are facing unprecedented cancellations by patients who have scheduled follow up visits for chronic disease management. Use this checklist to systematically improve chronic disease management in this vulnerable group of patients.

NC AHEC COVID-19 Telehealth Toolkit for Behavioral Health Providers

The Piedmont AHEC (formerly known as Greensboro AHEC) Practice Support team has worked with telehealth experts across North Carolina to develop the COVID-19 Telehealth Toolkit for Behavioral Health Providers.

This toolkit is comprised of the following:

• Behavioral Health Telehealth Tipsheet with links to additional resources
• HIPAA Compliant COVID-19 Telehealth Platform Crosswalk
• COVID-19 Behavioral Health Billing/Coding Matrix (for various payors (NC Medicaid, Medicare, NCBCBS) and Telepsychiatry Guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association
• Appendix A: The Crosswalk of HIPAA Compliant Telehealth Platforms is available via email from your local NC AHEC Practice Support coaches. Find your regional AHEC.

NC AHEC Medicare & Commercial Telehealth Coding Guidance

June 1, 2020

NC AHEC Practice Support offers a tip sheet covering changes to Medicare and commercial telehealth billing codes.

NC AHEC Practice Support Telehealth FAQ for Patients

NC AHEC Practice Support offers a patient-facing FAQ to respond to requests about COVID-19 testing, virtual visits, and health insurance coverage.

NC Medical Society Telehealth Commercial Payor Policies Crosswalk

August 6, 2020

The NC Medical Society offers a Payer Telehealth Table containing telehealth policy information from the different Commercial and Medicare Advantage Plans.

NC Medicaid Billing Code Changes

NC DHHS offers a NC Medicaid Telehealth Billing Code Summary document updated regularly.

NC Medicaid is also implementing a phased approach in responding to the COVID-19 outbreak in North Carolina. Please refer to the NC Medicaid website for details and up-to-date information on COVID-19.

Phase 1

March 13, 2020

The priority in Phase 1 is maintain access to care for all beneficiaries while prioritizing safety for providers and patients by reducing unnecessary exposure through social distancing efforts.

Phase 2

March 26, 2020

The priority in Phase 2 is to expand access to care via telehealth technologies for all beneficiaries in an effort to prioritize safety for providers and patients by reducing unnecessary exposure through social distancing efforts.

Phase 3

 April 24, 2020

The priority in Phase 3 is to expand access to care via telehealth technologies and conduct well visits with patients to ensure the provision of comprehensive and preventive health care services for children under age 21.