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  Practice Support Newsletter
  October 2025

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  It’s the perfect time to spotlight the real impact of breast cancer in our community and emphasize the life-saving power of early detection. While national campaigns emphasize solidarity with the symbolic pink ribbon, data from our region reveals a more urgent call to action. In 2022, North Carolina recorded over 8,000 new breast cancer diagnoses and nearly 1,000 deaths from the disease.

Early detection is key in outcome; The NIH National Cancer Institute’s Cancer State Facts report 99.6% of women diagnosed at the earliest stage survive, compared to just 31.9% at the most advanced stage. Despite similar diagnosis rates, Black women in North Carolina face significantly higher mortality rates 26 per 100,000 compared to 18 per 100,000 for their white counterpart. Explore more about these disparities here .

The North Carolina Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (NC BCCCP) stands as a vital public health initiative aimed at reducing cancer-related mortality among women through early detection, timely intervention, and equitable access to care. Administered by the NC Department of Health and Human Services, the program provides free or low-cost breast and cervical cancer screenings to eligible women across the state.  Providers can refer patients aged 40-64 if they are uninsured or underinsured, are not enrolled in Medicaid or Medicare and have a household income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level.  It is preferred that eligible patients are referred to the local NC BCCCP program for screening as soon as they present (with or without complaints). For more information call (919)-707-5300 or visit NC DPH: BCCCP: Contact Us .

For more patient and provider resources and education: 
  • N.C. DHHS: North Carolina Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program Services Brochure
  • Visit the CDC Breast Cancer Awareness page for symptoms, risk factors, and prevention strategies.
  • Explore the CDC Breast Cancer Resource Hub, including the Bring Your Brave campaign featuring real stories from young women.
  • BCCP Guide to Utilizing Mobile Mammography Units may be helpful for patients experiencing transportation barriers.
We encourage you to use this month to promote action, equity, and education, because early detection saves lives! 

Measure of the Month:
Breast Cancer Screening

Breast Cancer Screening is a key preventive measure that can save lives through early detection. The current measure, CMS125v13, evaluates the percentage of women aged 50 to 74 who had a mammogram to screen for breast cancer within the past two years. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, following lung cancer. Source: CDC Breast Cancer Statistics

CMS125v13 – Breast Cancer Screening Measure Overview (eCQI Resource Center)
  • Measure Description: Percentage of women 50–74 years of age who had a mammogram to screen for breast cancer in the 27 months prior to the end of the Measurement Period.
  • Numerator: Women with one or more mammograms any time on or between October 1 two years prior to the measurement period and the end of the measurement period.
  • Denominator Exclusions:
    • Women with a history of bilateral mastectomy or evidence of both right and left unilateral mastectomy.
    • Women who received hospice care services during the measurement year OR the year prior.
    • Women who were enrolled in Medicare during the measurement year – dual eligible beneficiaries are excluded to avoid duplication in reporting.
    • Women with active diagnosis of breast cancer during the measurement year OR the year prior.
Best Practices to Close Screening Care Gaps:
  • Use patient outreach tools (calls, texts, portal messages) to remind eligible patients.
  • Schedule mammograms during annual wellness visits or chronic care appointments.
  • Educate patients on the importance of regular screening, especially those with a family history or other risk factors.
  • Leverage EHR alerts to flag patients due or past due for screening.
  • Address disparities by ensuring equitable access and culturally sensitive education, especially for Black women who face higher mortality rates despite similar incidence rates.

NC Tracks Updates

NC Tracks has recently released a series of announcements that will be effective on enrollment, re-enrollment, re-verification and manage change request applications submitted on or after September 28, 2025. Please see below for a few of the highlights:
  • New Attestation Requirement 
    New Attestation Requirements for Individual Providers 
  • New Demographic Data Collection 
    New Demographic Data Collection on Provider Applications 
  • Exclusion Sanction Question Updates on Provider Enrollment Application
    Updates to Exclusion Sanction Questions on Provider
    Enrollment Applications
And, as a reminder, and when applicable, rendering, attending, ordering or referring provider information (including taxonomy information) must be submitted on claims to NC Medicaid Managed Care health plans for primary and secondary claims.
 
Rendering, Attending, Ordering or Referring Provider Information Required on Claims for NC Medicaid Managed Care

NC DHHS and COVID-19 Vaccinations

Governor Stein Announces Standing Orders to Increase Access to COVID-19 Vaccines

Governor Josh Stein directed the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) to issue Standing Orders that make it easier for adults in North Carolina to get their COVID-19 vaccines at pharmacies across the state. This order, issued by the State Health Director Dr. Larry Greenblatt, allows pharmacies to give COVID-19 vaccines to adults 65 and older, and adults 18 to 64 who have certain health conditions that put them at higher risk, without needing a prescription from a provider.

With fall and winter approaching – a time when respiratory viruses spread more easily – vaccination remains one of the most effective tools to protect our communities. Pharmacies continue to play a vital role in vaccination efforts, with more than 70% of vaccinated North Carolinians receiving their COVID-19 vaccines at these convenient and accessible locations. 

Effective immediately, eligible North Carolinians can visit a local pharmacy, confirm eligibility based on CDC guidelines, and receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Most insurance plans cover the vaccines.

Who is eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine at a pharmacy without
a prescription?
  • Adults 65 years and older 
  • Adults 18 to 64 years old with at least one high-risk health condition, such as: obesity, asthma, diabetes, smoking (current or former), pregnancy, depression, physical inactivity, and more. For the full list of qualifying conditions, visit the CDC’s website.
Together, we can ensure more North Carolinians are protected as we head into a high-risk respiratory virus season. Thank you for helping us spread the word and for your ongoing support in keeping our communities safe and healthy.

Regulatory Reminders:
Protecting Patients Beyond the Hospital

Infection prevention is a cornerstone of safe, high-quality healthcare, especially in outpatient and ambulatory settings where invasive procedures like injections are routinely performed. In North Carolina, healthcare organizations are required to comply with NC Communicable Disease Rule .0206 , which mandates that facilities designate an on-site staff member to complete infection control training and implement a compliant infection control program.

That’s where SPICE comes in.

The Statewide Program for Infection Control and Epidemiology (SPICE), based out of the UNC School of Medicine, offers evidence-based training designed to help healthcare personnel meet the requirements of .0206 NC Infection Control Curriculum. SPICE training is available in multiple formats (live webinars, classroom sessions, and self-paced online courses) and covers essential topics such as:
  • Epidemiologic principles of infectious disease
  • Aseptic technique
  • Sterilization, disinfection, and sanitation
  • Universal blood and body fluid precautions
  • Safe injection practices
  • Engineering controls and sharps disposal
  • Techniques to reduce sharp injuries to healthcare workers
SPICE training is not just a regulatory requirement; it’s a proactive step toward building a culture of safety and infection prevention in outpatient care. While repeat training is not mandated annually, SPICE recommends refreshing your knowledge every 2-3 years to stay current with evolving best practices.

Free Resources & Tools Practices Can Use Immediately

The SPICE Website offers free resources on hand hygiene, PPE, cleaning, and infection control videos, signage and templates. These are ready-to-use for staff education and quality improvement projects:
  • NC DPH: Injection Safety
  • SPICE Hand Hygiene & PPE Toolkit
  • SPICE Signage Templates
  • Outpatient Care Resources
  • Facility Specific Infection Control Assessment Tools 
Want to Stay Updated?
Join the SPICE outpatient/dental listserv to receive alerts about upcoming courses and webinars: SPICE Listserv Signup

Got questions for SPICE? 
Fill out the ASK SPICE online form to get answers, information, and resources for infection control. SPICE typically responds to inquiries within 24 hours.

NC DHHS Somethings® App

Somethings® - Connecting Teens with Certified Peer Specialist Mentors
NC Department Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services (DMHDDSUS) has launched a valuable resource to support youth mental health. The Somethings App provides teens with personalized mentorship and emotional support, helping them navigate life challenges such as anxiety, depression, and other emotional or social issues through text and video interactions. This program was successfully piloted in North Carolina through Alliance Health, and due to the increasing need for mental health resources, DMHDDSUS is now extending this support to all North Carolina teens, regardless of their insurance status or coverage, at no cost.
 
Key features: 
  • Trained Peer Support Mentors
  • Tailored support to help teens navigate challenges 
  • Ability to text/chat through the Somethings App 
  • Addresses teens’ mental health and wellness  
Somethings have already released a press release, Somethings Partners with NCDHHS to Provide Free Mental Health Services to NC Teens, and began launching a social media campaign to spread the word. You can find more information here on the Somethings website.
 

Aetna State Health Plan Update

The North Carolina State Health Plan (SHP) has announced many changes that will affect providers and plan members.  One change that will impact providers is the termination of the Clear Pricing Project (CPP) as of December 31, 2025.  This change means that provider reimbursement in the future will be determined by the practice's contract with Aetna and participation in the Aetna POS II network.  

The CPP is being replaced in 2026 by a program called the Preferred Primary Care High Performing Network.  The State Health Plan has selected three provider networks to participate in this plan - Aledade, Community Care Physicians Network (CCPN), and UNC Health Alliance (UNCHA).  Network participants will have the opportunity to earn enhanced reimbursement and performance incentives. SHP members who choose a Preferred Primary Care High Performing Network provider will have lower office visit co-pays. 

North Carolina State Treasurer Bradford Briner offers a detailed explanation on the rationale for changes in a brief video posted on the 2026 Open Enrollment page of the NCSHP website: 2026 Open Enrollment Information: Active Members | NC State Health Plan. To learn more information about the SHP at:
  • N.C. State Health Plan Network
  • NC State Health Plan
AHEC Class Spotlight
Adult Health Assessment Essentials: Refresh & Refine Your Skills
October 16, 2025 | 9 am–4 pm
Faculty: Leah Morgan, PhD, RN

Strengthen your head-to-toe physical assessment techniques through a dynamic blend of interactive lectures and guided hands-on practice. Whether you're looking to reinforce foundational knowledge or elevate your assessment techniques, this course provides the tools, experience, and confidence to help you succeed in clinical practice.
Falls: Screening, Risk Assessment and Care Planning for Older Adult Patients in the Community

An online self-paced, interactive eLearning module that focuses on fall risk assessment and care planning using the STEADI (“Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths and Injuries”) framework.
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