From NC DHHS:
The stress of life, especially during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, can feel overwhelming. But you don’t have to handle it on your own.
Hope 4NC and Hope 4Healers Helpline
Jan 5, 2022 12:37:00 PM / by Practice Support Team posted in COVID-19, Primary Care, mental health
Using Z-codes to Document Social Determinants of Health
Jan 4, 2022 2:30:00 PM / by Practice Support Team posted in Social Determinants of Health, Primary Care
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.
NCDHHS Publishes Summary of Initial Network Adequacy Results for Standard Plans
Jan 4, 2022 12:36:32 PM / by Practice Support Team posted in Medicaid, Medicaid Managed Care, Primary Care
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) today published summary network adequacy results for Standard Prepaid Health Plans (Standard Plans) which were in effect for the July 1, 2021 “go-live." Network adequacy measures the ability of each NC Medicaid Managed Care health plan to deliver covered benefits by providing adequate access for members to all covered health care services through a network of contracted health care providers. Network adequacy and accessibility standards help verify that members have access to providers and offer an important tool for NC Medicaid to monitor and measure that access.
Updates and Immunization Site Trainings offered by Pfizer
Dec 15, 2021 8:30:00 AM / by Practice Support Team posted in COVID-19, Primary Care, Pediatrics, Vaccination, immunization
With a goal to educate medical providers and health care immunization teams on the most recent medical updates regarding the Pfizer vaccine, Pfizer is hosting free online webinars.
Do Your Patients Really Understand?
Dec 8, 2021 3:00:00 PM / by Leslie D McDowell, DNP, ANP-BC, RN posted in Primary Care, communication, patient care, health literacy, outcomes
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!
Medicaid Communication Access Reimbursement
Nov 17, 2021 4:30:00 PM / by Practice Support Team posted in Medicaid, Medicaid Managed Care, Primary Care, communication
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.
Check Your Status in NC Tracks
Nov 17, 2021 8:30:00 AM / by Practice Support Team posted in Medicaid Managed Care, Primary Care, Pediatrics
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.
New Features to the Blog!
Nov 10, 2021 9:26:43 AM / by Practice Support Team posted in Primary Care, online learning, Preventive Care
Announcing some new features to the blog, accessible by using the buttons under 'Additional Resources'!
New Primary Care Provider Change Request Form for Members in Managed Care Prepaid Health Plans
Nov 3, 2021 2:45:00 PM / by Practice Support Team posted in Medicaid Managed Care, Primary Care
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.
Grace Clinic of Yadkin Valley Prevents Chronic Disease Through Hepatitis C Screening Program
Nov 3, 2021 1:36:49 PM / by Practice Support Team posted in Primary Care, rural health, Free and Charitable Clinics, Hepatitis C, Preventive Care
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
