Practice Support Newsletter

May 2024

Measure of the Month – May is High Blood Pressure Awareness Month

Focusing on controlling high blood pressure (CBP) is an important step in preventing heart attacks, stroke and kidney disease. The measure aims to improve the percentage of members aged 18 – 85 who had a diagnosis of hypertension (HTN) and whose blood pressure was adequately controlled (<140/90 mm Hg) during the measurement year.

Strategies to help improve the measure:

• Pull a list of patients 18 – 85 who had a visit in the first six months with a diagnosis of hypertension; then schedule a follow up visit
• Take a second reading during your patient’s visit if the initial reading is not controlled (greater than 139/89)
  – Utilize visual aids (door hangers, white boards, room status signals) to indicate a second reading needed
  – Document all systolic and diastolic readings if multiple blood pressures taken on the same date
  – Submit CPT II codes to report the lowest systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings taken on the same dates
  – BP documented as “average BP” is acceptable (however, ranges and thresholds do not meet criteria)
• Assess lifestyle, diabetic interventions, adherence and side effects of pharmacological interventions to improve blood pressure
• Provide patient education specific to assessments: CDC's – Prevent and Manage High Blood Pressure and/or NIH's Publications and Fact Sheets
• Work with a South Piedmont AHEC Coach!

Med Assist – Resources Available for your Patients

Free Pharmacy Program 

The free pharmacy program is available to North Carolina residents who are uninsured and fall at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level. This statewide program is very helpful to residents which are not able to obtain life-saving medications to treat chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and asthma. There is no fee to apply. Eligible patients will be enrolled in the program for up to one year. All medications will be mailed to their address at no cost. Qualification requirements, list of medications and and the enrollment form can be accessed by clicking on the following link: Free Pharmacy Program 

OTC Free Store 

The OTC Free Store is in Charlotte, NC. The store dispenses free over-the-counter medicines and durable medical supplies. Customers can shop in person or pre-order and select a pick-up time that is convenient for them. Customers that live outside of Mecklenburg County and need to order OTC medicines can get their order when the Mobile Free Pharmacy will be visiting their neighborhood. Store hours, online order forms and mobile pharmacy schedule can be found at the OTC Free Store – NC MedAssist and questions can be directed to 704.350.3587 or otc@medassist.org.

Regulatory Reminders – Ask the Experts: Immunize.org Answers Questions about Vaccine Storage and Handling

What is a temperature excursion? 

Any temperature reading outside the recommended range for vaccine storage is a temperature excursion. However, it is generally the total amount of time, or cumulative time, out of range that affects the viability of vaccine. Any time appropriate vaccine storage temperatures are in question, stop giving vaccinations and contact your state immunization program and/or the vaccine manufacturer for further guidance about whether or not a vaccine may be used. The CDC Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit contains detailed guidance on the management of a temperature excursion. 

See the CDC’s Storage and Handling website and their toolkit, pages 15 – 17, for more information.

Coding Corner – Use of 99401 for RSV

Reminder to continue to use the counseling code 99401. Be sure to review the updated details related to the use of this code. NC Medicaid understands that additional time may be required to address questions about the new RSV monoclonal antibody product and wants to create as much opportunity as possible for providers to spend time counseling appropriate beneficiaries on the benefits. The code may be billed at only one visit for each beneficiary per day, but there are no quantity limits for the number of times this education may be provided to an individual beneficiary. Currently, the code is valid through September 30, 2024.

CME's Available for the Updated DEA Requirements

The North Carolina Medical Board, Wake AHEC, North Carolina Medical Society and the Addiction Medicine Fellowship program at UNC School of Medicine have developed an eight-hour CME series that meets the training requirement established by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). 

On December 29, 2022, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 enacted a new one-time requirement for active DEA registrants to complete eight hours of education on the treatment and management of patients with opioid or other substance use disorders. DEA registrants who renew on or after June 27, 2023, will be asked to certify that they have completed the required hours. 

Read the full article from the NC Medical Society or register through Wake AHEC.

Are You Hiring?

The North Carolina State Society of Medical Assistants offers employers who are hiring Certified Medical Assistants and Registered Medical Assistants, the opportunity to list an open position on their website. For more information visit the Job Posting page on the website or contact joellencma@yahoo.com. 

For additional hiring resources please visit our South Piedmont AHEC Practice Support Resource page. We have created a Hiring Toolkit specifically for Medical Practices in North Carolina. You will find a lot of great resources to help with hiring and onboarding of new employees.

Tobacco-Related Policy Requirements go into Effect on July 1, 2024

Tobacco-related policy requirements will be effective July 1, 2024, for NC Medicaid Managed Care Standard Plans, Behavioral Health and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Tailored Plans, and Local Management Entity/Managed Care Organizations (LME/MCOs) contracted medical, behavioral health, I/DD and traumatic brain injury (TBI) service providers. These requirements apply to both Medicaid and state-funded service providers. The Department will work with health plans and LME/MCOs to include these requirements, as appropriate, in advance of July 1, 2024. 

Please read the full announcement for the specifications of the required policy and how it impacts your organization/practice.

Safety Series – There is still time to join! Next Webinar is May 15th

The last session of our FREE series is May 15th at 12 PM. This 1-hour session will examine cases where patient harm was associated with unsafe injection practices and provide recommendations to ensure you and the patient are safe when providing parenteral medications. “One Needle, One Syringe: Safe Injection Practices” offers free CE's. 

Register now with South Piedmont AHEC  

South Piedmont AHEC Practice Support – Helping you meet the challenges!

In this time of great transition in health care practices need to position themselves for new payment models, incentive programs, and other health care reforms while refocusing on patient-centered care. South Piedmont AHEC is currently able to provide these direct, individualized services at no cost.

Additional Resources: