NCPHP offers support to physicians, physician assistants, perfusionists, and anesthesia assistants who are struggling with substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, burnout, or any other mental health concerns that may impact the delivery of care to their patients.
Our evaluation, referral, and advocacy services assist health care professionals in finding a path back to wellness and recovery. Through our core values of honesty, integrity, service, and compassion, NCPHP helps medical providers take care of themselves and, in doing so, take better care of patients. Ultimately, NCPHP seeks for participants to experience a return to health and a lifetime of change.
We are the only North Carolina organization that can provide access to non-disciplinary and confidential programs for identification, intervention, and rehabilitation of these potentially impairing issues for medical professionals. State legislation governing our program provides or allows for:
- confidentiality, ensuring the practitioner’s identity is protected if patient care has not been affected*
- advocacy for participants with the North Carolina Medical Board (NCMB), insurance companies, employers, families, and others when requested
- a monitoring process that contributes to extremely high recovery rates, including return to work and sustained abstinence.
*In cases of Professional Sexual Misconduct, NCPHP is required to report this to the NCMB. Certain other circumstances, such as child or elder abuse, must be reported to the appropriate agencies.
Financial Assistance
Treatment Scholarship Fund
The NCPHP Treatment Scholarship Fund is available to help financially challenged practitioners obtain an assessment and/or treatment when participants lack sufficient funds or insurance might not otherwise be available. The scholarship fund comes from contributions made by licensees of the NCMB or individual donors. The North Carolina Medical Society Foundation manages the treatment scholarship fund. To apply, complete these forms.
Michael W. Wilkerson, MD Family Assistance Fund
Michael W. Wilkerson, MD served as Medical Director of NCPHP from 1998-2004. During his tenure, he made many contributions toward building and strengthening the program that has helped so many North Carolina medical professionals. In honor of Dr. Wilkerson, and at the suggestion of his wife, the Michael W. Wilkerson, MD Family Assistance Fund was established. These scholarship funds are provided to family members to give them the opportunity to participate in the family program at the treatment center or to allow family members to seek outpatient therapy as an integral part of the recovery process. The fund may also be used to financially assist struggling families in helping to meet other critical family needs while their family member is in treatment (e.g., utility bills, mortgage, groceries, etc.).
Specific Uses:
- To facilitate attendance to family week activities during participant’s treatment program (cost of attendance, travel expenses, etc.). Receipts or verification of expected expenses will be required prior to reimbursement.
- To facilitate treatment for family members (residential & outpatient). Documentation of treatment expense will be required prior to reimbursement.
- To assist financially struggling families meet household needs while family member is in treatment. Receipts will be required prior to reimbursement.
Maximum scholarship per family is limited to $1,500 per calendar year (January to December). To apply, complete this form.
Referrals
Traditionally, about half of NCPHP’s referrals come from hospitals, colleagues, medical practices, friends and family, or even the provider themselves. The remainder of our referrals comes from the NCMB.
Self-referrals are well received and highly recommended, as preemptively seeking assistance demonstrates a willingness to address a potential issue before patient care is affected. If you are considering self-referral, you may want to complete these self-assessment questionnaires. As has been the case since NCPHP started, providers can self-refer to NCPHP and remain anonymous to the NCMB, as long as they are not an imminent danger to themselves, others, or patients.
For more information about professional obligations pertaining to incompetence, impairment and unethical conduct, read the North Carolina Medical Board’s position statement.