Category Archives: Practice Support News

August 2026 – Practice Support Newsletter

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NC AHEC Practice Support is celebrating 20 years
(2006-2026)

Established in 1972 to address healthcare workforce shortages, NC AHEC Practice Support has evolved from focusing on medical training to providing tailored, on-the-ground, and virtual coaching for primary care, behavioral health, and specialty practices across all 100 North Carolina counties, aiding over 1,300 practices with health IT, quality improvement, and Medicaid transformation. Thank you for 20 years of making a difference in the lives of others in North Carolina.

Updates

Rural Health Transformation Program | Digital Health Survey for Providers and Practices

NCDHHS is seeking feedback from rural health providers and practices to help guide future investments in digital health, including technology upgrades, telehealth, data connectivity, interoperability, and AI-supported tools. Your input will help ensure funding and technical assistance meet the needs of rural practices across North Carolina.

The survey is intended for practices serving predominantly rural patient populations and takes approximately five minutes to complete. Be sure to share your feedback and help shape the future of rural health care in North Carolina. Complete the Rural Health Innovation Survey

NC Medicaid Updates Care Management Funding Assumptions for SFY 2027 

Effective July 1, 2026, NC Medicaid has updated the care management assumptions used to calculate capitation payments for Standard Plans. The updated rates include $11.34 per member per month (PMPM) to support whole-person care management, reflecting the estimated average cost of providing these services.

While this amount serves as a funding assumption, NCDHHS has not established a minimum payment rate for Advanced Medical Home (AMH) Tier 3 practices. Standard Plans and practices are expected to negotiate payment rates that reflect the scope and intensity of care management services provided. AMH Tier 3 practices must continue to meet all program requirements outlined in the NC Medicaid Advanced Medical Home Provider Manual.

Please contact the NC Medicaid Contact Center, 888-245-0179, or AMH team, medicaid.advancedmedicalhome@dhhs.nc.gov, with any questions.

Back Porch Chat Informational Webinar on H.R. 1 and Changes to Medicaid 

Join NC Medicaid Back Porch Chat for an informational overview of H.R. 1 and the changes coming to Medicaid. Gina Hamilton, Deputy Director for Member Operations at NC Medicaid will explain the changes and address questions following the presentation. The webinar will include live Q&A. Date: Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026 | Time: Noon- 1p.m. REGISTER HERE.

Important Update: New NCIR Implementation Date Postponed 

The North Carolina Immunization Program (NCIP) has postponed the launch of the updated North Carolina Immunization Registry (NCIR), which was originally planned for late July. Additional time is needed to refine the system, incorporate provider feedback, and ensure a smooth transition for practices and patients across the state.

Vaccine Ordering Update

Providers may continue placing vaccine orders through the current NCIR system. The previously scheduled vaccine ordering pause has been cancelled.

Preparing for the Transition

While a new implementation date is being determined, NCIP encourages providers to continue preparing by:

• Completing NCIR Readiness Checklistactivities

• Reviewing and updating inventory and user information

• Checking the NCIR Coming Soon webpage for updates and implementation resources

• Subscribing to NCIR communications for future announcements

NCIP appreciates providers’ continued partnership and flexibility during this transition and will share additional updates as they become available.

PODCAST: What if it’s me? A manager’s response to turnover

Your best employees keep walking out the door. Maybe it’s time to take a painful look in the mirror and consider if your management style may be contributing to the problem. GeGe Beall of Engaged At Work discusses this uncomfortable issue and how you can face it and transform your practice into a place employees enjoy.

Find out more about GeGe at engagedatwork.com.

For information about the North Carolina Practice Management Academy, visit ncahecpma.org

Practice Management Academy

2026-2027 Practice Management Academy Registration Now Open!

Registration is now open for the 2026–2027 Practice Management Academy (PMA)! Whether you’re new to practice management or looking to strengthen your leadership and operational skills, PMA offers flexible, self-paced learning designed for busy healthcare professionals.

What’s New This Year

• New course branding: The former “Boot Camp” courses are now called Practice Manager Basic Courses. (They may still appear as “Practice Manager Boot Camp” in the Southern Regional AHEC Continuing Education calendar during the transition.)

• Greater flexibility: Basic courses are now available as recorded, self-paced sessions, allowing participants to complete them on their own schedule. Quizzes must still be completed to earn a certificate.

• Updated curriculum: Management and Leadership content has been separated into two distinct courses.

• Early registration savings: Course fees are $30 per credit hour, with a discounted rate of $25 per credit hour for those who register at least one month before the course begins.

To learn more or register

• Visit the North Carolina AHEC Practice Management Academy (NCPMA) website for upcoming courses.

• Search “Practice Manager Boot Camp” in the Southern Regional AHEC Continuing Education calendar during the transition period.

Continuing Professional Development

In-Person | Live Webinar

Looking to grow your skills or stay ahead of regulatory changes? SR-AHEC Continuing Professional Development offers a variety of courses through in-person sessions and live webinars. Our trainings are practical, timely, and tailored to today’s healthcare environment.

Explore upcoming opportunities and register today!

Click here to see our full course catalog

We have a new web address for the Practice Management Academy

ncahecpma.org – Go check it out!

Any bookmark you have should still work because we’ve mapped the old URL to the new one. If you’d like to see what our new page looks like, you may need to sign out of the academy so you can see the landing page. Anyone can join the free side of the Practice Management Academy. This includes any free courses, access to our group chat, and announcements about upcoming classes and events. We hope this new address and page will be easier to navigate and share.

July 2026 – Practice Support Newsletter

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NC AHEC Practice Support is celebrating 20 years
(2006-2026)

Established in 1972 to address healthcare workforce shortages, NC AHEC Practice Support has evolved from focusing on medical training to providing tailored, on-the-ground, and virtual coaching for primary care, behavioral health, and specialty practices across all 100 North Carolina counties, aiding over 1,300 practices with health IT, quality improvement, and Medicaid transformation. Thank you for 20 years of making a difference in the lives of others in North Carolina.

Updates

AmeriHealth Caritas NC Launches Gaps in Care Incentive Program for PCPs

Effective July 1, 2026, AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina is launching a Gaps in Care Incentive Program that rewards primary care providers for closing key preventive and chronic care gaps. Incentives are available for improving outcomes related to:

• Blood pressure control

• Diabetes management

• Well-child visits in the first 30 months of life

• Adolescent immunizations

The program aims to improve quality outcomes, support health equity, and encourage preventive care. The first measurement period runs from July 1 – September 30, 2026, with incentive payments expected in December 2026.

Providers are encouraged to review program requirements and identify eligible members to maximize quality performance and incentive opportunities.

Carolina Complete Health & Trillium Tailored Plan Update

Beginning October 1, 2026, providers serving Trillium Tailored Plan members will need to submit claims directly to Trillium through its new unified claims platform. Some prior authorization requests will also transition to Trillium, while select specialty service authorizations will continue through existing partners.

This change applies to all physical health providers serving Trillium members, including those currently contracted through Carolina Complete Health. Providers should prepare for workflow and system updates and watch for contracting information from Clearlink Partners.

Trillium encourages providers to attend upcoming information sessions and stay informed through network bulletins to ensure a smooth transition.

NCIR Modernization: June 30 Readiness Update

As North Carolina prepares for the transition to the new North Carolina Immunization Registry (NCIR), practices should continue completing readiness activities outlined in the NCIR Readiness Checklist. Key priorities include verifying user access, ensuring staff complete required training, reviewing clinic workflows, identifying a designated NCIR Site Administrator, and working with EHR vendors to confirm system readiness. Practices should also be aware that NCIP has temporarily paused new data exchange onboarding activities during the transition. Completing ready-made tasks now will help minimize workflow disruptions and ensure a successful go-live when implementation begins.

NC HealthConnex Teletown Hall 

During June 2026 NC HealthConnex Teletown Hall, the NC Health Information Exchange Authority (NC HIEA) shared updates on ongoing efforts to strengthen statewide health information exchange and improve provider engagement. Highlights included enhancements to provider outreach and training, continued expansion of data sharing capabilities, and initiatives to increase utilization of the NC HealthConnex Clinical Portal. The session also reinforced the value of timely, complete data exchange to support care coordination, reduce duplicate services, and improve patient outcomes. Practices are encouraged to ensure staff have appropriate Clinical Portal access and take advantage of available NC HIEA training resources to maximize the benefits of NC HealthConnex. Slide deck of the presentation.

As a reminder, organizations with a Full Participation Agreement have access to the NC HealthConnex Suite of Services, regardless of their current connection status. Practices are encouraged to review available training resources and ensure appropriate staff have access to tools that can support daily workflows.

Upcoming support opportunities include NC HealthConnex Office Hours on September 24, where participants can bring questions and receive guidance. Questions will be answered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Helpful resources:

• Request Trainings

• Clinical Portal User Guide

Study Highlights Impact of Healthy Opportunities Pilots in North Carolina

A new evaluation from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) highlights the impact of the Healthy Opportunities Pilots (HOP) program in improving health outcomes and reducing health care costs for NC Medicaid members. The study found that HOP participants experienced an average reduction of $164 per member per month in total health care costs, along with fewer emergency department visits and hospitalizations and improved access to services addressing food, housing, transportation, and other health-related social needs.

The findings reinforce the important role of addressing social drivers of health to improve care coordination, support patient well-being, and reduce avoidable health care utilization.

To learn more about the study findings and the future of the Healthy Opportunities Pilots, visit the full NCDHHS evaluation: Healthy Opportunities Pilots Evaluation.

PODCAST: What if it’s me? A manager’s response to turnover

Your best employees keep walking out the door. Maybe it’s time to take a painful look in the mirror and consider if your management style may be contributing to the problem. GeGe Beall of Engaged At Work discusses this uncomfortable issue and how you can face it and transform your practice into a place employees enjoy.

Find out more about GeGe at engagedatwork.com.

For information about the North Carolina Practice Management Academy, visit ncahecpma.org

Continuing Professional Development

In-Person | Live Webinar

Looking to grow your skills or stay ahead of regulatory changes? SR-AHEC Continuing Professional Development offers a variety of courses through in-person sessions and live webinars. Our trainings are practical, timely, and tailored to today’s healthcare environment.

Explore upcoming opportunities and register today!

Click here to see our full course catalog

We have a new web address for the Practice Management Academy

ncahecpma.org – Go check it out!

Any bookmark you have should still work because we’ve mapped the old URL to the new one. If you’d like to see what our new page looks like, you may need to sign out of the academy so you can see the landing page. Anyone can join the free side of the Practice Management Academy. This includes any free courses, access to our group chat, and announcements about upcoming classes and events. We hope this new address and page will be easier to navigate and share.

June 2026 – Practice Support Newsletter

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NC AHEC Practice Support is celebrating 20 years
(2006-2026)

Established in 1972 to address healthcare workforce shortages, NC AHEC Practice Support has evolved from focusing on medical training to providing tailored, on-the-ground, and virtual coaching for primary care, behavioral health, and specialty practices across all 100 North Carolina counties, aiding over 1,300 practices with health IT, quality improvement, and Medicaid transformation. Thank you for 20 years of making a difference in the lives of others in North Carolina.

Updates

Reach Out and Read: Promoting Early Literacy Through Primary Care

Reach Out and Read (ROR) is an evidence-based program that integrates early literacy promotion into pediatric well-child visits. Through provider training and age-appropriate book distribution, ROR helps clinicians support healthy child development while strengthening relationships with families.

Research consistently demonstrates the program’s impact:

  • Parents are 2.5 times more likely to read regularly with their children.
  • Families are 2.5 times more likely to enjoy reading together and maintain books in the home.
  • Children’s language development improves by 3–6 months, with greater gains seen through continued participation.
  • Families participating in ROR have higher well-child visit attendance rates.
  • Clinics report improved culture, provider satisfaction, and staff morale.

Beyond literacy, Reach Out and Read supports broader healthcare goals by enhancing patient-provider relationships, improving well-child visit compliance, supporting maternal mental health, and advancing value-based care. By encouraging early brain development, caregiver engagement, and school readiness, ROR serves as a powerful preventive health tool that helps clinicians assess and promote child development in real time.

What H.R. 1 Means for Medicaid: Communication and Preparation Matter

Recent federal Medicaid policy changes under H.R. 1 may affect coverage requirements for some beneficiaries. While many Medicaid members will experience no changes, others, particularly certain adults ages 19–64 in Medicaid expansion populations, may face new requirements such as more frequent eligibility recertification and activity/work reporting requirements.

Key takeaways for practices and community partners:

  • Many beneficiaries will not be impacted, including children, pregnant individuals, older adults, people with disabilities, medically frail individuals, and several other protected populations.
  • Some adults may need to complete additional steps to maintain coverage, including submitting documentation and completing recertification more often.
  • Early communication is critical to help eligible individuals maintain coverage and reduce confusion.
  • Practices and organizations can support patients through clear education, reminders, trusted community partnerships, and outreach through multiple channels.

As details continue to emerge, providers and community organizations can play an important role in helping patients understand what actions, if any, they need to take to avoid unnecessary coverage disruptions.

NC Immunization Registry Implementation: Readiness Checklist

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has released an implementation readiness checklist to help practices prepare for the transition to the new North Carolina Immunization Registry (NCIR). The checklist outlines required activities and best practices organized by key timelines (90, 60, and 30 days before go-live) to support a smooth implementation process, minimize access issues, and reduce operational disruptions. Practices are encouraged to review requirements early and complete preparation activities promptly to ensure readiness for the upcoming system transition. View the readiness checklist: NCIR Readiness Checklist (PDF)

Vaya Health and Partners Health Management Merger

Vaya Health and Partners Health Management have announced plans to merge, pending completion of a readiness review, with the consolidation expected to take effect on October 1, 2026. The newly formed organization, Vaya Partners, will become North Carolina’s largest publicly governed behavioral health organization, serving more than 222,000 members across 47 counties. The merger aims to strengthen the state’s public behavioral health system and expand integrated care for individuals with mental health conditions, substance use disorders, intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD), and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Current members and contracted providers are not expected to experience immediate changes to benefits, provider networks, billing, or administrative processes as transition planning moves forward. Frequently Asked Questions

Unlocking PHP Incentives in 2026: What NC Practice Managers Need to Know

North Carolina practices have new opportunities in 2026 to improve patient outcomes while strengthening financial sustainability through Medicaid Prepaid Health Plan (PHP) incentive programs. Health plans such as Healthy Blue, AmeriHealth Caritas, and Carolina Complete Health offer member rewards tied to preventive services, including well-child visits, prenatal and postpartum care, screenings, immunizations, and chronic disease management. While UnitedHealthcare does not offer visit-based incentives, it provides supportive benefits such as doula services, baby items, and food assistance.

NC AHEC Practice Support teams emphasize that practices that align workflows early, submit claims promptly, and actively educate patients about available rewards are more likely to maximize quality performance and capture available incentives. Practices are encouraged to review plan-specific opportunities and use data tools to identify and close care gaps. Access the updated FAQ on PHP AMH Performance Incentives.

NCQA Advanced Primary Care Webinar (APC)

Wednesday, June 10 | 1–2 p.m. ET

Our conversation will highlight what it takes for advanced primary care models to succeed, drawing on real-world experience from NCQA’s Advanced Primary Care Pilot. For Partners in Quality, this conversation is especially relevant. As organizations that provide financial incentives, technical assistance and transformation support to practices pursuing NCQA Recognition, you are directly shaping how primary care evolves in value-based environments.

During the webinar, you’ll gain:

  • Insights from pilot participants on implementation challenges, successes and lessons learned
  • Themes from NCQA on reducing fragmentation and strengthening the primary care foundation
  • Visibility into the future Advanced Primary Care Program, including how it may align with payer strategies and incentive models

If interested in attending, Register Here

PODCAST: What if it’s me? A manager’s response to turnover

Your best employees keep walking out the door. Maybe it’s time to take a painful look in the mirror and consider if your management style may be contributing to the problem. GeGe Beall of Engaged At Work discusses this uncomfortable issue and how you can face it and transform your practice into a place employees enjoy.

Find out more about GeGe at engagedatwork.com.

For information about the North Carolina Practice Management Academy, visit ncahecpma.org

Continuing Professional Development

In-Person | Live Webinar

Looking to grow your skills or stay ahead of regulatory changes? SR-AHEC Continuing Professional Development offers a variety of courses through in-person sessions and live webinars. Our trainings are practical, timely, and tailored to today’s healthcare environment.

Explore upcoming opportunities and register today!

Click here to see our full course catalog

We have a new web address for the Practice Management Academy

ncahecpma.org – Go check it out!

Any bookmark you have should still work because we’ve mapped the old URL to the new one. If you’d like to see what our new page looks like, you may need to sign out of the academy so you can see the landing page. Anyone can join the free side of the Practice Management Academy. This includes any free courses, access to our group chat, and announcements about upcoming classes and events. We hope this new address and page will be easier to navigate and share.

May 2026 – Practice Support Newsletter

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NC AHEC Practice Support is celebrating 20 years
(2006-2026)

Established in 1972 to address healthcare workforce shortages, NC AHEC Practice Support has evolved from focusing on medical training to providing tailored, on-the-ground, and virtual coaching for primary care, behavioral health, and specialty practices across all 100 North Carolina counties, aiding over 1,300 practices with health IT, quality improvement, and Medicaid transformation. Thank you for 20 years of making a difference in the lives of others in North Carolina.

Updates

NC Healthcare Workforce Demand Survey: Employer Participation Requested

The NC Health Talent Alliance is conducting its annual data collection effort to gather information from healthcare employers to better understand workforce supply, demand, and critical staffing needs across the state. COMPLETE SURVEY

What to expect:

• A Qualtrics survey link for data submission

• Requests for workforce data related to key roles such as Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), Medical Assistants (MAs), Paramedics, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), Radiology Technicians, Social Workers (BSW), Social Workers (MSW), Mental Health Counselors, and Community Health Workers, along with additional positions as applicable.

Why this matters: Your participation helps inform actionable insights that drive regional collaboration and statewide planning efforts. These insights are critical in identifying workforce gaps, improving talent pipelines, and supporting long-term healthcare workforce sustainability.

More information and submission resources can be found here.

NC Medicaid Provider Directory API Now Available

NC Medicaid has released a new Provider Directory API, in line with CMS interoperability requirements, offering public access to provider directory information for both Managed Care and NC Medicaid Direct. The data mirrors what’s available in the Provider and Health Plan Lookup Tool and is sourced from NCTracks, along with health plan contract details.

The API is available through the NC Medicaid Interoperability Portal and does not require registration.

Providers are encouraged to review and update their NCTracks information using the Managed Change Request (MCR) process to ensure accuracy. For assistance, contact the NCTracks Call Center at 800-688-6696 or reach the Provider Ombudsman at 866-304-7062 or email at Medicaid.ProviderOmbudsman@dhhs.nc.gov.

NC Medicaid Back Porch Chat

Please join us for the upcoming Back Porch Chat on Thursday, May 21, 2026, hosted by Dr. Brittany Watson, Associate Medical Director Consultant.

Time: noon–1 p.m.

REGISTER HERE

This session will provide important updates across multiple areas of NC Medicaid, including:

• TBI Dashboard Overview and Utilization

• Standard Plan Performance Comparison Tool

• Pharmacy Benefit Administration (PBA) updates

• Care Management for At‑Risk Children / High‑Risk Pregnancies (CMARC/CMHRP)

• Quality Measures Dashboard

• H.R.1

Note: Live Q&A will be available during the webinars.

Training the Collaborative Care Behavioral Health Care Manager and a Child Psychiatrist’s Role

The Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) relies on a team-based approach in pediatric primary care, where the Behavioral Health Care Manager (BHCM) and child psychiatrist play complementary roles. The BHCM serves as a central coordinator—supporting patient engagement, tracking progress, delivering brief interventions, and communicating regularly with the care team. The child and adolescent psychiatrist functions primarily as a consultant, reviewing cases, providing treatment recommendations, and guiding the team rather than delivering direct ongoing care. This collaborative structure expands access to behavioral health services and allows each team member to work at the top of their license, improving outcomes for children and adolescents. Click Here for Full Article. 

QI Essentials Toolkit: PDSA Worksheet

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) PDSA Worksheet is a practical tool designed to guide teams through testing and implementing changes in quality improvement efforts. It follows the four-step Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle: planning a change, carrying it out, analyzing the results, and refining the approach based on what is learned. Teams typically complete a worksheet for each test of change and repeat multiple cycles to continuously improve outcomes. This structured, iterative process helps organizations make data-driven decisions and refine workflows over time. Click Here to Access. 

Practice Manager Bootcamp

Dental Practice Management Sessions

When: April 1, 2026 – June 30, 2026

Location: Live Webinar

Cost: $250.00

Register Here

PODCAST: What if it’s me? A manager’s response to turnover

Your best employees keep walking out the door. Maybe it’s time to take a painful look in the mirror and consider if your management style may be contributing to the problem. GeGe Beall of Engaged At Work discusses this uncomfortable issue and how you can face it and transform your practice into a place employees enjoy.

Find out more about GeGe at engagedatwork.com.

For information about the North Carolina Practice Management Academy, visit ncahecpma.org

Continuing Professional Development

In-Person | Live Webinar

Looking to grow your skills or stay ahead of regulatory changes? SR-AHEC Continuing Professional Development offers a variety of courses through in-person sessions and live webinars. Our trainings are practical, timely, and tailored to today’s healthcare environment.

Explore upcoming opportunities and register today!

Click here to see our full course catalog

We have a new web address for the Practice Management Academy

ncahecpma.org – Go check it out!

Any bookmark you have should still work because we’ve mapped the old URL to the new one. If you’d like to see what our new page looks like, you may need to sign out of the academy so you can see the landing page. Anyone can join the free side of the Practice Management Academy. This includes any free courses, access to our group chat, and announcements about upcoming classes and events. We hope this new address and page will be easier to navigate and share.

April 2026 – Practice Support Newsletter

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NC AHEC Practice Support is celebrating 20 years
(2006-2026)

Established in 1972 to address healthcare workforce shortages, NC AHEC Practice Support has evolved from focusing on medical training to providing tailored, on-the-ground, and virtual coaching for primary care, behavioral health, and specialty practices across all 100 North Carolina counties, aiding over 1,300 practices with health IT, quality improvement, and Medicaid transformation. Thank you for 20 years of making a difference in the lives of others in North Carolina.

Updates

Upcoming Merger: Carolina Complete Health and WellCare of North Carolina

Effective April 1, 2026, Carolina Complete Health and WellCare of North Carolina will officially combine into a single, statewide health. Following the merger, the new entity will maintain its name Carolina Complete Health and Provider-Led Entity governance structure.

• Clinical Policy

• Provider Resources

• Provider Training

• Forms

• Frequently Asked Questions

Merger Information Sessions

Date & Time: April 2, 2026, 12 p.m. and April 16, 2026, 12 p.m.

Registration

Secure Provider Portal Training

Date & Time: April 9, 2026, 12 p.m. and April 23, 2026, 12 p.m.

Registration

Healthy Blue Provider Education Series

The 2026 Provider Education Series is now open for registration. These sessions are hosted by the Medicaid Risk Adjustment Team and are available to all providers. While providers may have an understanding of industry standard claims and billing, these courses serve as a great bridge to connect Healthy Blue NC and Healthy Blue Care Together billing requirements. Adhering to these requirements will allow the health plan to capture coding aimed to report documentation and care of chronic conditions. Webex Registration

Amerihealth Caritas

April 22, 2026 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Location: Embassy Suites Brier Creek | 8001 Acro Corp Dr. Raleigh, NC

Register here by Monday, April 20, 2026, and let us know what other topics you would like to discuss.

You are invited to meet Provider Network Management team for an information session. This is a time for us to get to know you better and determine the best ways to work together to serve our shared members. We will be discussing the following: Claims and Billing, Prior Authorizations, Compliance, HEDIS, Quality Initiatives, Resources and more.

Amerihealth Caritas | Baby Shower for New Parents/Families – Fayetteville

April 22, 2026 | 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Location: Fayetteville Wellness & Opportunity Center: Region 5, 4101 Raeford Road, Fayetteville, NC

Register with the events calendar link for the correct location.

Our Wellness & Opportunity Center teams have partnered with numerous community partners to host regional community baby showers in every region to educate, empower and support moms who have recently delivered a baby or who are pregnant, as well as their families. These baby showers offer a chance to celebrate the arrival of these new babies and to encourage moms to get the prenatal and postpartum care they need. We offer dietary and general health information, early childhood development and education tips, and information about immunizations and wellness checks. We also share information around breastfeeding, sleep, and car seat safety.

If your practice is interested in partnering with us, participating in one of the baby showers, or in promoting it to your patients, please reach out to your Provider Account Executive or call the Provider Services department at 1-888-738-0004.

CMS Phasing Out Fax Machines for Physician Offices

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has finalized new Administrative Simplification standards aimed at modernizing how health care claims attachments are submitted. These standards establish a consistent, electronic process for transmitting supporting documentation—such as medical records, clinical notes, and other required materials—used in claims and prior authorization decisions.

By replacing manual methods like faxing and paper submissions with standardized electronic transactions and secure electronic signatures, the rule is expected to improve efficiency, reduce administrative burden, and enhance the accuracy and timeliness of information exchange across the health care system. Fact Sheet

NC State Health Plan Won’t Extend Aetna Contract

North Carolina’s State Health Plan has announced it will not extend its current contract with Aetna beyond 2027 and will instead open a competitive bidding process for a new third-party administrator. State leaders indicated the decision reflects a desire to align future partnerships with evolving priorities, including improving member and provider experience, strengthening health outcomes, and ensuring long-term financial sustainability.

The move comes just a few years after Aetna took over administration of the plan in 2025 under a three-year agreement. In addition to seeking bids for administrative services, the State Health Plan is also exploring new proposals for its pharmacy benefit manager contract, signaling broader efforts to reevaluate vendor relationships. Article

Clinical Perspectives: Training the Collaborative Care Behavioral Health Care Manager and a Child Psychiatrist’s Role

A recent article in JAACAP Connect highlights the importance of structured training for Behavioral Health Care Managers (BHCMs) within the Collaborative Care Model (CoCM), particularly in pediatric settings. CoCM integrates behavioral health into primary care by adding a BHCM to the care team, who works closely with the primary care provider and a consulting child psychiatrist to deliver evidence-based mental health services.

The article emphasizes that while CoCM has been widely recognized for improving access to care and outcomes for children with mild to moderate mental health conditions, there is currently no standardized approach to training pediatric BHCMs. This gap can create variability in skills and readiness, as individuals in this role may come from diverse professional backgrounds. Article

Practice Manager Bootcamp

Quality Improvement

Practice managers are leaders, and the better leaders they are, the more successful their practices will be. In this module, you will learn communication and management skills that will help you make your practice cohesive, efficient, and welcoming for both your staff and patients.

When: April 23, 2026 – May 14, 2026

Location: Live Webinar

Cost: $80.00

Register Here

Dental Practice Management Sessions

When: April 1, 2026 – June 30, 2026

Location: Live Webinar

Cost: $250.00

Register Here

PODCAST: What if it’s me? A manager’s response to turnover

Your best employees keep walking out the door. Maybe it’s time to take a painful look in the mirror and consider if your management style may be contributing to the problem. GeGe Beall of Engaged At Work discusses this uncomfortable issue and how you can face it and transform your practice into a place employees enjoy.

Find out more about GeGe at engagedatwork.com.

For information about the North Carolina Practice Management Academy, visit ncahecpma.org

Continuing Professional Development

In-Person | Live Webinar

Looking to grow your skills or stay ahead of regulatory changes? SR-AHEC Continuing Professional Development offers a variety of courses through in-person sessions and live webinars. Our trainings are practical, timely, and tailored to today’s healthcare environment.

Explore upcoming opportunities and register today!

Click here to see our full course catalog

We have a new web address for the Practice Management Academy

ncahecpma.org – Go check it out!

Any bookmark you have should still work because we’ve mapped the old URL to the new one. If you’d like to see what our new page looks like, you may need to sign out of the academy so you can see the landing page. Anyone can join the free side of the Practice Management Academy. This includes any free courses, access to our group chat, and announcements about upcoming classes and events. We hope this new address and page will be easier to navigate and share.

March 2026 – Practice Support Newsletter

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What’s New with Southern Regional Practice Support?

Congratulations to Donna L. Bowen!

We are proud to announce the promotion of Donna L. Bowen to Manager, Specialty Services/Population Health/Practice Support. Donna holds both a Bachelor of Applied Arts (BAA) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA), bringing strong leadership and strategic expertise to her role.

With over five years of dedicated service in the Practice Support department, Donna has consistently demonstrated commitment, professionalism, and a passion for supporting our practices and communities. We are excited to see her continue to grow in this new leadership role and look forward to the positive impact she will make across Specialty Services and Population Health. 

Welcome Nicole M. Tomlinson to Practice Support!

We are excited to welcome Nicole M. Tomlinson as our newest Practice Support Coach. Nicole holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Literature and a Master of Health Administration with a concentration in Public Health. She brings seven years of experience in behavioral health coordination, patient navigation, and community-based care.

Throughout her career, Nicole has developed strong expertise in trauma-informed care, behavioral health education, care coordination, and connecting clients to essential community resources. For the past four years, she has served as a Behavioral Health Liaison, supporting both providers and patients through collaborative, client-centered approaches. We are thrilled to have her join the SRAHEC Practice Support team and look forward to the impact she will make.

Reintroducing Alexis Jacobs!

Alexis holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and has been with SRAHEC Practice Support since May 2023. She is a dedicated healthcare professional with over five years of experience in quality improvement, patient advocacy, and care coordination. Her background includes EHR optimization, provider coaching, and leading practice transformation initiatives across hospital, dialysis, and community-based settings. Alexis is passionate about strengthening healthcare delivery systems and improving patient outcomes.

Reintroducing Jane Moran!

Jane Moran serves as Director of the NC AHEC Practice Management Academy. She holds a Master of Science in Library Science and brings a strong foundation in research, information management, and organizational leadership to her role. Jane is dedicated to supporting practice leaders through education, resource development, and strategic guidance that strengthens healthcare practice management across North Carolina.

Coffee and Coaching – What’s On Your Mind?

Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Time: 2:00PM – 3:00PM

Join Us!

Get your coffee and your favorite afternoon snack, lock your office door and join us for our Coffee & Coaching session! During this informal session, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with other practice managers in our region and to ask questions you have regarding practice management, and to connect directly with SRAHEC’s Practice Support Coaches.

Practice Management Academy

Operations Management 

In this module, you’ll learn the “nuts and bolts” principles that will strengthen your practice and protect it from the unexpected.

When: March 12, 2026 – April 13, 2026

Location: Live Webinar

Cost: $100.00

Register Here

Quality Improvement 

Paying attention to the quality of care a practice offers benefits not only patient outcomes but also a practice’s bottom line. In this module, you’ll learn concepts and skills that will help your practice not only survive but thrive.

When: April 23, 2026 – May 14, 2026

Location: Live Webinar

Cost: $80.00

Register Here

How to Run A Meeting 

In this interactive session, emerging healthcare leaders will learn practical strategies to plan and lead focused, efficient, and productive meetings. Participants will explore best practices for setting clear agendas, facilitating discussions, driving decisions, and ensuring follow-up as well as when to apply formal structures to support fairness and accountability.

When: March 25, 2026

Location: Live Webinar

Cost: $25.00

Register Here

3rd Annual Collaborative Care Model (CoCM)

Registration is now open for the 3rd Annual Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) Behavioral Health Care Manager (BHCM) Summit, presented jointly by NC AHEC and Southern Regional AHEC!

Date: April 30, 2026

Time: 9:00AM – 3:15PM

Location: The Conference Center at Guilford Technical Community College | 7908 Leabourne Rd. Colfax, NC 27235

Click Here to Register 

 

Continuing Professional Development

In-Person | Live Webinar 

Looking to grow your skills or stay ahead of regulatory changes? SR-AHEC Continuing Professional Development offers a variety of courses through in-person sessions and live webinars. Our trainings are practical, timely, and tailored to today’s healthcare environment. Explore upcoming opportunities and register today!

Click here to see our full course catalog      

NC AHEC Practice Support
Celebrates 21 Years! 

Medicaid Updates

• NC Medicaid PHP Incentive Program Comparison 2026

• WellCare and Carolina Complete Health Merger – AHEC has broken down the merger and what to expect. Carolina Complete Health and WellCare of North Carolina will officially merge into one plan on April 1, 2026. The new combined plan will operate under Carolina Complete Health (CCH) and will be available and serve all 6 Medicaid regions. The combined plan will continue as a Provider-Led Entity (PLE) – meaning that North Carolina physicians retain a central governance role.

For patients with WellCare they will automatically be transitioned to Carolina Complete Health with no change in their Medicaid benefits. The patients will receive a new welcome packet and card once the merger is complete. Most patients will be able to keep their current primary care providers.

For patients with Carolina Complete the coverage will now be available in region 3 and 6 with no change in their current Medicaid benefits. They will also receive a new member ID card and be able to keep their existing primary care provider.

For Practices that are already contracted with either CCH or WellCare will remain contracted through the merged entity. To eliminate redundancy, the Medicaid product under WellCare agreements will be terminated as of April 1, 2026. There is nothing practices will have to do if they are already contracted with either CCH or WellCare.

Measles

• NC.DHHS recorded webinar on measles

• Updated Information on Measles

Pediatrics

• The CDC has released updates to the recommended U.S. Childhood Immunization Schedule. At this time, there are no changes in coverage position by Medicaid or Prepaid Health Plans (PHPs) related to pediatric vaccines. The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has issued a statement regarding the CDC’s recommended changes, emphasizing that “vaccines remain our single best defense against preventable disease. The evidence hasn’t changed, so the AAFP’s recommendations haven’t changed. Vaccines save lives.”

• Changes to the U.S. Childhood Immunization Schedule

• Potential Impacts – US Vaccine Policy Changes

• Updated Danish Vaccine Schedule – The Evidence Collective

Rural

• North Carolina’s application for Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) was approved, meaning that the state will receive over $213 million for the first year of the program.

• State Designated Rural Health Centers Support Grant Requests for Applications for 2027

Trillium Provider Network Transition

Trillium has announced that effective July 1, 2026, they will be transitioning their physical health and Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) contracting away from Carolina Complete Health and will instead be directly managing the physical health network, including claims processing and provider relationships.

NCTracks

March 2026 Provider Training Schedule Now Available -Registration is open for the March 2026 training courses listed below. NCTracks zoom courses can be attended remotely from any location. Courses offered this month include:

• Prior Approval Institutional

• Medicare Lite-Full Enrollment

• Re-Verification

• Ordering Prescribing and Referring – Provider Enrollment

• New Office Administrator

• Submitting a Professional Claim

See the document linked below for more information on course schedule and access to zoom links: March 2026 Provider Training Schedule

February 2026 – Practice Support Newsletter

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February is American Heart Month

A time to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease

There are a LOT of things you can do to help protect your heart including self-care activities like physical activity, eating healthier foods, getting enough sleep, not smoking, and finding healthy ways to reduce stress according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

According to a study done in 2023 by the CDC there are 632,000 North Carolinians that have coronary heart disease which is the most common form of heart disease. This disease can be prevented by having a healthier lifestyle which includes moving more, eating healthier, getting enough sleep, quitting smoking and reducing stress.

The CDC contributes High Blood Pressure as being a leading cause of heart disease with just 1 in 4 people with High Blood Pressure having it under control. See below in the Training and Resource section for resources on controlling blood pressures and best practices for taking blood pressures.

The best way to be heart smart is to know what the normal ranges are for things like cholesterol, blood pressure, and physical activity. Adults should have a total cholesterol below 200mg/dl to be considered in normal heart healthy range. Normal blood pressure for an adult is 120/80 and an adult should have 75-150 minutes of physical activity a week to optimize heart health. The best activities to promote heart health include running or walking, swimming, yoga, cycling, and weight training.

Hello Heart is a new benefit for Rural Members of NC State Health Plan. Hello heart is the digital leader in preventive heart health and empowers members to better understand and improve their heart health. The program will be available to members that work for selected organizations and are experiencing hypertension, high cholesterol, menopause or other heart disease risk factors. Members of the State Health Plans can sign up for Hello Heart for no cost to them. The members will be equipped with a connected blood pressure monitor and app to track measures like blood pressure, cholesterol, weight and activity levels from the comfort of their homes.

Medicaid Updates

Medicaid Rate Reduction Reversal Update – On December 10, 2025, North Carolina announced that previously implemented Medicaid reimbursement rate reductions effective October 1, 2025, will be reversed. The state is restoring reimbursement levels to the rates that were in effect prior to October 1, 2025.

Updated NC Medicaid Direct fee schedules are expected to be published on January 5, 2026, through the Department’s Fee Schedules and Covered Codes Portal. Following publication, health plans will have up to 45 days to update their systems with the revised rates. Once updates are complete, plans will have an additional 30 days to reprocess eligible claims with dates of service on or after October 1, 2025

Medicaid Reinstitutes Coverage for GLP-1s for Weight Management – On December 12, 2025, Medicaid reverted coverage for GLP-1 as a treatment for obesity and weight management to their previous coverage available as of September 30, 2025.

Medicaid Member Ombudsman Program – The contract between the Member Ombudsman and Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC) concluded on December 31, 2025, and will not be renewed. The Member Ombudsman will continue but with reduced services and will be operated under the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Benefits (NC Medicaid) on January 2, 2026. The change does not impact the Medicaid Provider Ombudsman Program.

NC Medicaid is hosting a Virtual Office Hours on February 5th and a Back Porch Chat on February 19th. Click here to register.

NC Medicaid PHP Incentive Program Comparison 2026

WellCare and Carolina Complete Health Merger – AHEC has broken down the merger and what to expect. Carolina Complete Health and WellCare of North Carolina will officially merge into one plan on April 1, 2026. The new combined plan will operate under Carolina Complete Health (CCH) and will be available and serve all 6 Medicaid regions. The combined plan will continue as a Provider-Led Entity (PLE) – meaning that North Carolina physicians retain a central governance role.

For patients with WellCare they will automatically be transitioned to Carolina Complete Health with no change in their Medicaid benefits. The patients will receive a new welcome packet and card once the merger is complete. Most patients will be able to keep their current primary care providers.

For patients with Carolina Complete the coverage will now be available in region 3 and 6 with no change in their current Medicaid benefits. They will also receive a new member ID card and be able to keep their existing primary care provider.

For Practices that are already contracted with either CCH or WellCare will remain contracted through the merged entity. To eliminate redundancy, the Medicaid product under WellCare agreements will be terminated as of April 1, 2026. There is nothing practices will have to do if they are already contracted with either CCH or WellCare.

What’s Going On!

UHC Medicare Advantage Patients

Patients that have UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage will be required to receive a referral from their Primary Care Provider (PCP) before receiving certain specialist services in a outpatient, office or home setting. The referrals will need to be submitted to UnitedHealthcare prior to the specialist visit. UnitedHealthcare will enforce this policy starting May1,2026 where if there is no referral submitted for specialist services, they will deny the claim.

Measles

• NC DHHS recorded webinar on measles

• Updated Information on Measles

Pediatrics

• The CDC has released updates to the recommended U.S. Childhood Immunization Schedule. At this time, there are no changes in coverage position by Medicaid or Prepaid Health Plans (PHPs) related to pediatric vaccines. The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has issued a statement regarding the CDC’s recommended changes, emphasizing that “vaccines remain our single best defense against preventable disease. The evidence hasn’t changed, so the AAFP’s recommendations haven’t changed. Vaccines save lives.

• Changes to the U.S. Childhood Immunization Schedule

• Potential Impacts – US Vaccine Policy Changes

• Updated Danish Vaccine Schedule – The Evidence Collective

Rural

• North Carolina’s application for Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) was approved, meaning that the state will receive over $213 million for the first year of the program.

• Virtual Office Hours for RHTP held on January 16, 2026

• State Designated Rural Health Centers Support Grant Requests for Applications for 2027

Trillium Provider Network Transition

• Trillium has announced that effective July 1, 2026, they will be transitioning their physical health and Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) contracting away from Carolina Complete Health and will instead be directly managing the physical health network, including claims processing and provider relationships.

 

Practice Manager Bootcamp

Course: Leadership 

Practice managers are leaders, and the better leaders they are, the more successful their practices will be. In this course, you will learn communication and management skills that will help you make your practice cohesive, efficient, and welcoming for both your staff and patients.

When: March 12, 2026 – April 13, 2026

Location: Live Webinar

Cost: $100.00

Register Here

Course: Quality Improvement 

Practice managers are leaders, and the better leaders they are, the more successful their practices will be. In this module, you will learn communication and management skills that will help you make your practice cohesive, efficient, and welcoming for both your staff and patients.

When: April 23, 2026 – May 14, 2026

Location: Live Webinar

Cost: $80.00

Register Here

NCTracks

February 2026 Provider Training Schedule

Registration is open for the Feb. 2026 training courses listed below. NCTracks zoom courses can be attended remotely from any location. Courses offered this month include:

• Submitting an Institutional Claim

• Prior Approval Medical

• Submitting a NEMT Claim

• Submitting an Ambulance Claim

• Dental Helpful Hints

• Enrollment Specialist User Role Abbreviated MCR/ Upload Docs

See the document linked below for more information on course schedule and access to zoom links: Feb. 2026 Provider Training Schedule

Continuing Professional Development

ACES Too High: Prevention and Intervention Strategies to Address Trauma and Reduce Health Disparities

February 5, 2026

Live Webinar

Heart Disease in Women – Unique Risk Factors and Presentation

February 5, 2026

Live Webinar

2026 NC AHEC Academic Profession Conference

February 6, 2026

Live Webinar

Basic IV Clinical Skills Workshop

February 11, 2026

In-Person – Fayetteville, NC

16th Annual Teen Summit: Supporting Students Impacted by Systemic Barriers

February 16, 2026

In-Person – Fayetteville, NC

Heart Disease in Women – Prevention, Lifestyle Modification, and Long-Term Management

February 19, 2026

Live Webinar

4th Annual Southern Regional NC OB/GYN Conference

February 20, 2026

In-Person – Fayetteville, NC

Colloquium on Interdisciplinary Care for Parkinson’s: Building Your Team, Enhancing Your Care

February 20, 2026

In-Person – Fayetteville, NC

Results-Based Accountability – Redefining Success and Measuring Impact

February 24, 2026

In-Person – Charlotte, NC

Maternal & Behavioral Health Integration

February 27, 2026

Live Webinar

Wound Care Certification Prep Course

February 26, 2026 – February 27, 2026

In-Person or Live Webinar – Fayetteville, NC

January 2026 – Practice Support Newsletter

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The 2025 Impact Yearbook

Turning Practice Support into Lasting Impact

As we step into 2026, we’re taking a moment to reflect on a year defined by partnership, problem-solving, and progress. Throughout 2025, Southern Regional AHEC Practice Support worked alongside practices across the region to navigate change, strengthen care delivery, and build sustainable systems that support both patients and care teams.

📊 2025 By the Numbers

In 2025, Southern Regional AHEC Practice Support:

• Supported 224 practices across 15 counties

• Delivered 1840 coaching sessions

• Launched or supported 42 CoCM / behavioral health initiatives

• Enrolled 560 participants in the Practice Management Academy Boot Camp

🏆 2025 Practice Support Highlights

Every practice we worked with faced unique challenges and opportunities. In 2025, we were especially proud to see:

• Workflow transformations that reduced administrative burden and improved team efficiency

• Sustainability planning that helped practices prepare for long-term success beyond grant funding

• Behavioral health expansion, increasing access to integrated mental health care for patients

• Quality improvement gains driven by clearer data interpretation and targeted action plans

• Stronger care teams supported through coaching, training, and change management

🧩 What Practice Support Looked Like in 2025

Behind every milestone was practical, hands-on support. Our team worked alongside practices to:

• Interpret and improve quality metrics

• Navigate Medicaid and managed care requirements

• Design and refine clinical and operational workflows

• Implement and sustain Collaborative Care Models

• Identify funding opportunities and plan for financial sustainability

• Support staff through transitions, training, and growth

🧭 Looking Ahead to 2026

The work completed in 2025 has laid a strong foundation for the year ahead. In 2026, Southern Regional AHEC Practice Support is positioned to:

• Continue advancing sustainable care models

• Deepen behavioral health integration

• Support practices in achieving stronger quality outcomes

• Strengthen workforce resilience and team-based care

Thank you for being part of our journey and for the vital work you do every day to care for our communities!

Practice Manager Bootcamp

Course: Leadership

Practice managers are leaders, and the better leaders they are, the more successful their practices will be. In this course, you will learn communication and management skills that will help you make your practice cohesive, efficient, and welcoming for both your staff and patients.

When: January 08, 2026 – March 05, 2026

Location: Live Webinar

Cost: $180.00

Register Here.

Course: Operations Management

Practice managers are leaders, and the better leaders they are, the more successful their practices will be. In this module, you will learn communication and management skills that will help you make your practice cohesive, efficient, and welcoming for both your staff and patients.

When: March 12, 2026 – April 13, 2026

Location: Live Webinar

Cost: $100.00

Register Here.

Course: Quality Improvement

Practice managers are leaders, and the better leaders they are, the more successful their practices will be. In this module, you will learn communication and management skills that will help you make your practice cohesive, efficient, and welcoming for both your staff and patients.

When: April 23, 2026 – May 14, 2026

Location: Live Webinar

Cost: $80.00

Register Here.

NCTracks

January 2026 Provider Training Schedule

Registration is open for the January 2026 training courses listed below. NCTracks zoom courses can be attended remotely from any location. Courses offered this month include:

• Submitting an Professional Claim

• Prior Approval Institutional

• New Office Administrator

• Recipient Eligibility Verification

• Provider Web Portal Applications

• How to Add or Update Credentials

See the document linked below for more information on course schedule and access to zoom links: January 2026 Provider Training Schedule

Continuing Professional Development

Health Exploration and Leadership (HEAL) Club (13 – 18 Years Old) – SAT/ACT Prep Course

February 3, 2026

In-Person – Fayetteville, NC

ACES Too High: Prevention and Intervention Strategies to Address Trauma and Reduce Health Disparities

February 5, 2026

Live Webinar

Heart Disease in Women – Unique Risk Factors and Presentation

February 5, 2026

Live Webinar

2026 NC AHEC Academic Profession Conference

February 6, 2026

Live Webinar

Basic IV Clinical Skills Workshop

February 11, 2026

In-Person – Fayetteville, NC

16th Annual Teen Summit: Supporting Students Impacted by Systemic Barriers

February 16, 2026

In-Person – Fayetteville, NC

Heart Disease in Women – Prevention, Lifestyle Modification, and Long-Term Management

February 19, 2026

Live Webinar

4th Annual Southern Regional NC OB/GYN Conference

February 20, 2026

In-Person – Fayetteville, NC

Colloquium on Interdisciplinary Care for Parkinson’s: Building Your Team, Enhancing Your Care

February 20, 2026

In-Person – Fayetteville, NC

Results-Based Accountability – Redefining Success and Measuring Impact

February 24, 2026

In-Person – Charlotte, NC

Maternal & Behavioral Health Integration

February 27, 2026

Live Webinar

Wound Care Certification Prep Course

February 26, 2026 – February 27, 2026

In-Person or Live Webinar – Fayetteville, NC

December 2025 – Practice Support Newsletter

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This holiday season, we pause to express our sincere appreciation for the incredible work you do every day to support the health and wellbeing of your communities.

It’s been an honor to walk alongside you this year as partners in advancing quality care and meaningful change.

From all of us at Southern Regional AHEC Practice Support — may your holidays be restful, your hearts full, and your new year bright.

IMPORTANT INSURANCE INFORMATION – UNC Health

Effective December 1, 2025, UNC Health will be out of network with Cigna. If your insurance goes out of network with UNC Health, payment for the scheduled service as well as any outstanding balances will be expected prior to or no later than arrival for your upcoming appointment. Some healthcare services may qualify for Cigna’s continuity of care. Contact Cigna to request and complete the Continuity of Care form.

As of Jan. 1, 2026, UNC Health is out-of-network with Humana, WellCare, and Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC/formerly Cigna) Medicare Advantage plans. Humana North Carolina State Employee Health Benefit Plan (Medicare Advantage for retirees) members will continue to be seen with no increase in cost.

Children and Families Specialty Plan

As of Dec. 1, 2025, NC Medicaid’s new statewide Children and Families Specialty Plan—managed by Blue Cross NC as Healthy Blue Care Together—provides integrated physical and behavioral health care for children, youth, and young adults involved in the child welfare system. Eligible members include those in foster care, receiving adoption assistance, former foster youth up to age 26, their minor children, and individuals served by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Family Safety Program.

For more information, please review the press release or visit the Children and Families Specialty Plan webpage.

A Physician’s Guide to Effective Revenue Cycle Management

The “A Physician’s Guide to Effective Revenue Cycle Management” provides a practical overview of the full billing cycle and common challenges. It highlights five strategies to boost financial performance: clear process ownership, team learning, smart automation, KPI monitoring, and improved patient transparency. A helpful resource for practices looking to streamline workflows and reduce administrative burden.

Solving The Challenges Of Employee Health Benefits: The North Carolina State Health Plan Story

North Carolina’s State Health Plan is rolling out major reforms to curb costs and expand access to high-value care for its 750,000 members. Updates include redesigned premiums and benefits, expanded preferred networks, higher behavioral-health reimbursement, and incentives for primary care practices that deliver strong care management and cost-effective referrals. These shifts create new opportunities for practices to engage in value-focused care models. Read Full Article Here.

NC-PALCoCM Onboarding Process

NC-PAL BHCM Core Training

Rural Health Transformation

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid

CMS has released the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, 2026 Quality Payment Program Final Rule, 2026 MIPS Value Pathways (MVP) Guide, and updates to the Medicare Shared Savings Program Fact Sheet. Changes aim to simplify reporting, align measures with meaningful outcomes, and support value-based care for primary care and ACO-aligned practices.

Revenue Cycle Management: Streamline and Automate Your Practice’s Revenue Cycle

The AMA’s “Revenue Cycle Management: Streamline and Automate Your Practice’s Revenue Cycle” toolkit highlights eight steps to improve practice finances, from choosing the right management system and verifying insurance electronically to optimizing claims, payments, and patient collections at the point of service.

Practice Manager Bootcamp

Course: Leadership 

Practice managers are leaders, and the better leaders they are, the more successful their practices will be. In this course, you will learn communication and management skills that will help you make your practice cohesive, efficient, and welcoming for both your staff and patients.

When: January 08, 2026 – March 05, 2026

Location: Live Webinar

Cost: $180.00

Register Here. 

Course: Operations Management 

Practice managers are leaders, and the better leaders they are, the more successful their practices will be. In this module, you will learn communication and management skills that will help you make your practice cohesive, efficient, and welcoming for both your staff and patients.

When: March 12, 2026 – April 13, 2026

Location: Live Webinar

Cost: $100.00

Register Here. 

Course: Quality Improvement 

Practice managers are leaders, and the better leaders they are, the more successful their practices will be. In this module, you will learn communication and management skills that will help you make your practice cohesive, efficient, and welcoming for both your staff and patients.

When: April 23, 2026 – May 14, 2026

Location: Live Webinar

Cost: $80.00

Register Here.

Diabetes in Focus: Medication Management Made Practical

January 7, 2026

Live Webinar

 

Ensuring Safety: OSHA Compliance Training for Clinical Practice

Online Self-Paced Learning

 

Caries Management

January 9, 2025

Live Webinar 

NC Center for Aging & Geriatric Excellence (NC-AGE) E-Mail Subscription Service (CGEC)

Online Self-Paced Learning

 

Diabetes in Focus: Wound Care Essentials in Diabetes

January 14, 2026

Live Webinar

DMST: Be Their Voice: Breaking the Silence to Stop Human Trafficking

January 15, 2025

In-Person – Fayetteville, NC

24th Annual School Nurse Conference Exhibitor

January 15, 2026

In-Person – Lumberton, NC

 

 24th Annual School Nurse Conference

January 15, 2026 – January 16, 2026

In-Person – Lumberton, NC 

Encouraging Resilience: Addressing Physician Burnout

January 16, 2026

Live Webinar

Diabetes in Focus: Nourishing Health: Nutrition Strategies for Diabetes Course

January 21, 2026

Live Webinar

 

Grant Writing for Success: From Idea to Impact

January 23, 2026

In-Person – Fayetteville, NC

Diabetes in Focus: Foot Care Fundamentals: Steps Toward Prevention

January 28, 2026

Live Webinar

Understanding Neurological Birth Defects: What Providers Need to Know

January 30, 2026

Live Webinar        

To view more upcoming programs, visit SR-AHEC!

NCTracks

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NCTracks is the new multi-payer Medicaid Management Information System for the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) with three separate portals for specific internet access to different sectors, including providers, recipients and internal operations.

Contact NCTracks Contact Center

Customer Service Agents are available to answer questions at this toll-free number: (800) 688-6696. Calls are recorded to improve customer satisfaction.

NCTracks AVRS

The Automated Voice Response System is encouraged to obtain claims status using a touch-tone phone (800) 723-4337.

Provider Announcements   

Providers – Providers

Provider Enrollment Application | NC Medicaid

NCTracks Provider Portal Login – NCTracks Secure Portal

November 2025 – Practice Support Newsletter

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NC Medicaid Partnership Changes

As you may know, NC Medicaid has a contractual partnership with NC AHEC that funds much of our Practice Support work. Due to statewide budget pressures, this contract and related funding are being substantially reduced.

These changes require us to prioritize how we deliver support moving forward. While this may affect the breadth of services we can offer, our commitment to North Carolina practices remains steadfast. We are deeply proud of what we’ve achieved together – and we remain dedicated to helping practices continue to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care.

The Southern Regional AHEC Practice Support team will continue to serve as a trusted resource for your practice

Meet Your Practice Support Coaches

Our experienced Practice Support Coaches are available to help you navigate changes, implement quality improvement initiatives, and strengthen care delivery.

Donna Bowen

Email: donna.bowen@sr-ahec.org

Office: (910) 678-0119 | Cell: (910) 624-0528

Alexis Jacobs

Email: alexis.heller@sr-ahec.org

Office: (910) 678-7234 | Cell: (910) 929-2754

Paula Locklear

Email: paula.locklear@sr-ahec.org

Office: (910) 678-7316 | Cell: (910) 580-8602

Jane Moran

Email: jane.moran@sr-ahec.org

Office: (910) 678-0113

Medicaid Managed Care
  • Member Ombudsman – This service discontinues for Medicaid members December 31, 2025. The Provider Ombudsman service remains in place.
  • PCP/AMH Auto – Assignment Guidance FAQ
  • FQHC & RHCs – Well Child Visits: Effective Nov. 9, 2025, retroactive back to May 1, 2024, Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and Rural Health Center (RHC) claims will be updated to process Well Child Visit procedures (99381EP–99385EP and 99391EP–99395EP) as core services, with updates to pricing and editing. This update will also enable providers to submit non-core ancillary services on the same claim as core services. Non-core services will finalize in a paid status with a reimbursement amount of $0.
  • Reimbursement Rate Reductions – The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) remains committed to transparency, collaboration, and fiscal responsibility in administration of the NC Medicaid program. Fee schedules impacted by rate reductions were released Oct. 1, 2025, but are subject to change if additional appropriations are made available. NC Medicaid provider reimbursement rate reductions are being implemented by the Division of Health Benefits (DHB) to maintain the NC Medicaid program within the current funding allocated to the Medicaid program by the North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA). For more information, please see:

–Medicaid Provider Bulletin Article – NC Medicaid Rate Reductions –

Effective Oct. 1, 2025

-Rate Reduction Questions and Answers – Oct. 1, 2025

–CFSP Contracting Information: Practices interested in contracting

with Healthy Blue Together CFSP, must contact

NC_Contracting@healthybluenc.com. Providers currently contracted

with Healthy Blue are not automatically enrolled into CFSP.

HIT
  • Medicaid Claims Data Available in NC HealthConnex Clinical Portal – Medicaid claims data will be visible in the NC HealthConnex Clinical Portal beginning Oct. 2, 2025. Look for this update on the left-hand navigation of the chartbook section of the portal. The Clinical Portal User Guide will be updated to reflect this change.
  • NC HIEA Office Hours – Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025 – 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Register Here.
  • Medicare Telehealth Coverage Uncertain Post – Oct. 1 – Restrictions on Patient Location (Originating Site) for Medical Visits Return: While Medicare will keep paying health centers for medical visits provided via telehealth through December 31, starting on Oct. 1, all Medicare patients (not just those treated by FQHCs) will only be allowed to receive services via telehealth if they are physically at an FQHC (or other medical facility) that is located in a rural HPSA, or a county that is not a Metropolitan Statistical Area. CMS clearly intended to shield FQHC patients from this outcome in the CY25 Physician Fee Schedule regulation. However, it now appears that CMS was unsuccessful in taking all the steps needed to ensure uninterrupted access for FQHC patients.
  • Athena Health & TEFCA

Collaborative Care

Practice Manager Academy
  • The Sane Practice Manager Podcast – Brought to you by Jane Moran and the Practice Manager Academy. An informative and light-hearted new podcast that explores topics important to practice managers who are navigating the ever-changing, crazy-making world of healthcare. In this intro episode, Wisdom for New Practice Managers, Matt Johnson, MBA offers advice and encouragement for practice managers assuming this vitally important role for the first time.
  • PMA Course on Customer Service

Medicare Quality Payment Program
  • The Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services (CMS) has released Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) payment adjustment information for the 2024 performance period/2026 MIPS payment year. The 2024 MIPS final score determines the MIPS payment adjustment that practices will receive in 2026. A positive, negative, or neutral payment adjustment will be applied to the Medicare paid amount for covered professional services furnished in 2026.
  • Updates to Medicare Shared Savings Program – Notice Medicare quality measures, removal of SDoH screenings, and malware/cyberattack as qualifying EUC

Learning Opportunities: In-Person or Live Webinar

Family First: Supportive Pathways for Military Families

November 12, 2025 | In-Person – Fayetteville, NC

Managing Pain in Older Adults: Evidence Based Strategies for Chronic Pain Relief

November 13, 2025 | Live Webinar

Everything in Balance: Aligning Team Culture with Ethics

November 13, 2025 | Live Webinar

Advanced Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Enhancing Psychological Flexibility

November 14, 2025 | Live Webinar

NC AHEC 8th Annual Statewide Celebration of Rural Nursing

November 14, 2025 | Live Webinar

Coronal Polishing for the DA

November 14, 2025 | In-Person – Fayetteville, NC

Stop the Bleed

November 18, 2025 | In-Person

Voices of Resilience: Suicide Prevention in Native Communities

November 19, 2025 | Live Webinar

Differentiating Chest Pain: Identifying Acute Coronary Syndromes

November 20, 2025 | Live Webinar

Customer Service (Practice Manager Bootcamp)

November 13, 2025 – November 20, 2025 | Live Webinar

Click here to see our full course catalog.

Medicaid Managed Care Updates

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NC Medicaid Rate Reductions Effective Oct. 1, 2025

Fee schedules impacted by rate reductions will be released.

Oct. 1, 2025. Rates are subject to change if additional appropriations are

made.

North Carolina has expanded health care coverage to more people. You might be one of them. Check to see: North Carolina Expands Medicaid | NC Medicaid

NC Medicaid Managed Care Overview Video: Watch this brief video to learn more about the different health plan types for NC Medicaid Managed Care beneficiaries. These include Standard Plans, Tailored Plans, EBCI Tribal Option, the Children and Families Specialty Plan and NC Medicaid Direct.

New Primary Care Provider Change Request Form for Members in Managed Care Prepaid Health Plans: 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. A link to each health plan’s form can be found here:

As a reminder, beneficiaries can change their PCP/Advanced Medical Home (AMH) without cause twice each year. For more information, please see New Primary Care Provider Change Request Form for Members in Managed Care Prepaid Health Plans.

NC DHHS

The Children and Families Specialty Plan will launch December 1, 2025. Visit health plan types to learn more at Health plan types | NC Medicaid Managed Care.