The Z-codes Z-55-Z-65 are used to document data related to issues a person faces related to where they are born, live, learn, work, play, and age. One's physical environment, and social, and economic factors significantly affect how long and well we live---much more than clinically provided health care.  As you begin to screen your patients and uncover these factors, it is vital to codify what you have learned through the use of these z-codes.

December 20, 2021

A recent study of 87 primary care encounters found that providers used at least 1 type of medical jargon without explaining it to patients in nearly 80% of appointments, with an average of more than 4 uses of jargon per visit. Fewer than half of the terms were explained, and overall, providers used a jargon term about once every 4 minutes!

The Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DSDHH) has partnered with the Division of Health Benefits to establish a pilot initiative for communication access services for patients (and companions) who have Medicaid and Health Choice. 

There is an important deadline approaching for organizations with the taxonomy of Primary Care, Single Specialty and Multi-Specialty within NC Tracks. Medicaid Health Plans require the rendering provider to be listed on a claim and the practitioner to be affiliated in NC Tracks with the service location on the claim. Organizations that do not have the required individual provider affiliation reflected in NC Tracks by November 21st risk suspension or termination. 

Announcing some new features to the blog, accessible by using the buttons under 'Additional Resources'!

In collaboration with primary care providers (PCPs), the NC Medicaid Managed Care Prepaid Health Plans (PHPs) have created a new standardized PCP Change Request Form for members who wish to change their primary care assignment throughout the year.

Northwest AHEC Practice Support would like to celebrate great work going on in its seventeen-county region. Grace Clinic of Yadkin Valley in Elkin, NC was one of six Free and Charitable Clinics nationally that received funding from grantee: Becton, Dickenson and Company (NYSE:BDX) to provide multi-year diagnostic testing.  This initiative which began in 2017 is called Point of Care, Enhancing Clinical Effectiveness (PoCECE) program.  The PoCECE program provides a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) waived point-of-care test system consisting of instruments, reagents and quality control to perform the following tests: Cholesterol, LDL, HDL, Triglycerides, Macroscopic Urinalysis, Microalbumin, INR, Hemoglobin A1c, Strep A, HIV, Rapid Hepatitis C, Pregnancy, Flu A & B, and RSV.  The grants also include technical support consisting of standard operating procedures, equipment setup and configuration, competency training and documentation.¹

Effective Oct. 22, 2021, NC Medicaid-enrolled providers can bill code 99401 with HM modifier for telephone outreach to unvaccinated Medicaid beneficiaries. The goal of the outreach is to educate the beneficiaries on the vaccine and assist them in scheduling an appointment, ideally in the office where the outreach is originated.