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Charlotte AHEC Practice Support
November Newsletter
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 Become a Member of the Charlotte AHEC Regional Advisory Committee
Want to help lead the transformation of healthcare education? Apply today for the Regional Advisory Committee to gather trends related to community and regional needs impacting health education.
Application Deadline: November 28, 2022
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 November is Diabetes Awareness Month
Consider that while almost 30 million people in the U.S. have some form of diabetes, one in four don’t even realize they’re walking around with the disease. National Diabetes Month is an annual event each November to boost awareness about the risk factors, symptoms, and types of diabetes. To learn more and see how your practice can help bring awareness, check out National Today, the CDC for Diabetes Professionals and the American Diabetes Association.
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 The Legal Mandate to Connect to NC HealthConnex by January 2023 Remains
Yes, the mandate to connect to NC HealthConnex by health care organizations that serve state-funded patients remains as January 1st, 2023. “The N.C. Health Information Exchange Authority is offering several resources to help organizations and providers understand these changes and their impacts.
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 2022 – 2023 Influenza Campaign Kickoff
It’s that time of year again! The CDC has kicked off the 2022 – 2023 Influenza Campaign in their press conference held October 4th. “Flu continues to pose a serious potential public health threat, and annual flu vaccination remains a critical tool to prevent flu and its potentially serious outcomes.” Check out the CDC resource page for toolkits to help communicate the risk factors for patients and importance of the flu vaccine.
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 Fee Schedule and Covered Codes Webpage
Effective Nov. 3, 2022, all fee schedules currently listed on the NC Medicaid website will be moved to a new fee schedule and covered code website available to the public. The new website offers enhanced search options for fee schedules, covered procedure codes and covered revenue code data. All fee schedule data created prior to Nov. 3, 2022, will remain on the current NC Medicaid Fee Schedule web page. A link to the new website will be available by Nov. 3, 2022. More details will be shared closer to the launch. Click here to read the full announcement.
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 Reminder – Medicaid Billing Codes for Social Drivers of Health
Effective September 2022, North Carolina Medicaid will be implementing a set of new billable codes that capture primary care provider activities to address social drivers of health for their Medicaid members. While all Medicaid providers are encouraged to provide these interventions and screenings, these activities are a key part of the North Carolina Integrated Care for Kids Alternative Payment Model (NC InCK APM). Providers can begin to bill these codes to both NC Medicaid Direct (NCTracks) and to Standard Plans beginning on Sept. 1, 2022. The quality measurement period for the InCK APM begins Jan. 1, 2023, and runs through Dec. 31, 2023 (Calendar Year 2023). To access the billing codes and additional information, please visit: New Billing Codes for Social Drivers of Health | NC Medicaid (ncdhhs.gov)
Additionally, Charlotte AHEC is offering an online learning opportunity free of charge. Check out Social Determinants of Health: You Can Reduce Health Inequalities in Your Community.
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 Medicaid Preferred Drug List (PDL)
Medicaid has updated their PDL as of October 1st, 2022. If you have not had a chance to review, please follow the link and distribute to your staff and providers. October 1st, 2022 NC Medicaid Preferred Drug List
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 Regulatory Reminders – Disinfecting Wipes
Cleaning wipes are a great tool to utilize in the clinical space to minimize risk to staff and patients from transmissible diseases. Having a great tool also means knowing how to use it. Each brand of wipe is designed to kill a specified set of viruses and bacteria based on the instructions for use. It is important for staff to follow the instructions for use to ensure the product is working properly. Typically, these products have a WET TIME that needs to be observed. Staff should be able to verbalize and demonstrate proper use, which often includes donning gloves. Wipes should be stored correctly (with the lid closed, away from heat/cold, etc.) and not expired to ensure they are able to disinfect properly.
Make It Actionable! Review with staff in your huddle or staff meeting the proper time and technique for the product/s in your practice.
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 Featured Learning Opportunity:
Behavioral Health Integration Lunch & Learn Series
This activity focuses on introducing the participant to the notion of BHI and how it differs from other models or frameworks of healthcare. The North Carolina AHEC Program has provided funding for Charlotte AHEC to take the lead on a statewide effort to provide education and resources to primary care providers focusing on screening and management of mental illness in adult patients. This is a FREE seven-part series meeting on the 3rd Thursday of the month. The next few lunch and learn registrations are as follows: November 17th, December 15th and January 19th.
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 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Update on E&M Recoupment
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) recently updated the 50% reimbursement of Problem Oriented Evaluation and Management Related Services when submitted on the same date as Preventive Medicine or Annual Wellness encounter, to effective date September 8, 2022. To view the full announcement please view: Update on Evaluation and Management Related Services Recoupment | Blue Cross NC
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| Charlotte AHEC - Part of the NC AHEC Program
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Security Risk Assessment – Have you done yours for 2022? 
