Sandhills Center extends specific rate increases through September 2021

Publication Date: June 25, 2021

Sandhills Center has announced it will expand temporary funding increases – through September 30, 2021 -- to network providers as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the rate enhancements have been in place since March 2020, and cover specific services.

Following are residential and other services that will maintain 15 percent rate increases: ·

• Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities
• Behavioral Health Long-Term Residential
• Innovations Residential Services (Residential Supports 1-4, Supported Living 1-3 and Supported Living Periodic)
• Assertive Community Treatment Team
• Community Support Team
• Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services

Five percent rate increases have been in place for all other Medicaid services. Sandhills Center also will extend those increases through September 2021, and will continue to offer an enhanced $50.02 per-person/per-day reimbursement rate to community-based Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs) for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities.

In 2020, temporary rate adjustments for ICFs were granted through the COVID-19 Recovery Act, and approved by the North Carolina General Assembly. ICF services provided through state-operated facilities have an alternative reimbursement arrangement and are, therefore, not subject to the funding extension that was announced today.

The temporary Medicaid reimbursement rate increases are made possible through additional funding from the federal and state levels, and supported by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. The intent is to supplement additional resources that providers need to maintain quality services, including direct-care staffing and the purchase of additional supplies such as personal protective equipment.

“Sandhills Center appreciates the opportunity to, once again, offer additional support to our network of providers,” said Sandhills Center CEO Victoria Whitt. “For more than a year, our providers and their staff have been on the front lines during this public health emergency. Their commitment to Sandhills Center members has been unprecedented.”

Sandhills Center recognizes that uncertainties due to COVID-19 may persist, and the feasibility of additional rate enhancements or extensions will be considered, if necessary.