The North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI) has revised its Uniform Credentialing Application, removing one of the most substantial barriers to mental health treatment for healthcare workers.
NCCPRW was founded in 2016 in response to concerns raised by the North Carolina Medical Society regarding invasive language in licensing renewal materials.
Raleigh, NC (September 17, 2024) – Earlier this year, the North Carolina Clinician and Physician Retention and Well-being (NCCPRW) Consortium and the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation (DLBHF) launched a statewide initiative, ALL IN: Caring for North Carolina’s Caregivers (ALL IN: C4NCC), to support the state’s hospitals and health systems in improving workplace policies and practices that reduce burnout, normalize help-seeking, and strengthen professional wellbeing.
In just five short months, we have accelerated our impact on improving the well-being and mental health of North Carolina’s health workers through collaboration with the North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI) to ensure their Uniform Credentialing Application is free from intrusive mental health questions and stigmatizing language. The NCDOI’s application is used by many of the state’s hospitals to credential their medical staff.
Like everyone, healthcare workers deserve the right to seek the mental health care they need—without the fear of losing their job. Yet, physicians, nurse practitioners, physician associates, and other clinicians fear losing their credentials because of overly broad and invasive mental health questions that are stigmatizing and discriminatory. According to The Physicians Foundation’s 2024 Survey of America’s Physicians, four in 10 physicians, more than four in 10 (44%) residents and half (50%) of medical students were either afraid or knew another colleague fearful of seeking mental health care given questions asked in medical licensure/credentialing/insurance applications.
We’re grateful for the NCDOI and the North Carolina Association of Health Plans (NCAHP) for their partnership in removing one of the most substantial barriers to mental health care for health workers. Their efforts enable organizations across the state that use their uniform credentialing application to move forward with this crucial update, fostering a more supportive environment for those who care for us all.
As a next step in the ALL IN: C4NCC program, hospitals and health systems, who verify their credentialing applications and peer reference forms are free of intrusive mental health questions, will be recognized as Wellbeing First Champions at the 2024 North Carolina Medical Society LEAD Conference.
If your hospital or health system is interested in becoming a Wellbeing First Champion, access the free toolkit and verification submission form at www.drlornabreen.org/removebarriers.
About North Carolina Clinician and Physician Retention and Well-being (NCCPRW) Consortium
The North Carolina Clinician and Physician Retention and Well-being Consortium (NCCPRW) is a collaborative initiative aimed at identifying and developing strategies to reduce stress and improve well-being among the healthcare workforce at the individual, organizational, and state level. Founded in 2016 in response to concerns raised by the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) regarding invasive language in licensing renewal materials, the Consortium has evolved into a proactive force advocating for the mental health and wellness of healthcare professionals. In 2024, the Consortium transitioned into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to further its mission. For more information, contact Melissa Kenny [email protected].
About Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation
The Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation’s vision is a world where seeking mental health care is universally viewed as a sign of strength for health workers. We believe every health worker should have access to the mental health care and professional well-being support that they may need, at every moment in their career. We carry out this mission by accelerating solutions, advancing policies, and making connections that put our healthcare workforce’s well-being first. For more information, visit drlornabreen.org.