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CCNC Update: August 2013

CCNC Update: August 2013

In the News

Charlotte public radio examines NC Medicaid system.  CCNC’s success in managing care for Medicaid patients gets top billing in an examination of the strong and weak points of North Carolina's Medicaid program.  in Mecklenburg County is spotlighted in a recent WFAE.org article. The WFAE piece reviews CCNC's track record and highlights the work of Community Care Partners of Greater Mecklenburg, nurse care manager Johanna Wilson and nurse Larri Diggs-Jones in working closely with high-risk patients. Find the full article and audio of the broadcast here.

Coastal coverage of NC Medicaid. The Wilmington Star-News ran a series of articles detailing the current Medicaid climate in North Carolina. One article explored activities in other states facing similar Medicaid problems; read the story here. A second article described the movement toward managed care and CCNC’s current role with the Medicaid program and as a national model; read the story here. And don't miss the editorial suggesting that despite problems in Medicaid that need to be fixed, NC has performed well in care management and primary care; read the editorial here.

More coverage on CCNC's success with transitional care.  Recent coverage of CCNC's successful efforts to reduce readmissions for high-risk patients includes:

  • Winston-Salem Journal article --  features Northwest Community Care Network and care-manager supervisor Julia Wilkins, R.N. Read more here.
  • NC Health News -- details the benefits of focusing on patients transitioning from hospital to home. Read the full story, including an interview with Dr. Annette DuBard, here.

NC Now. Dr. Dobson recently appeared as a guest on UNC-TV’s “North Carolina Now” to discuss CCNC’s work across the state. Click here to watch the interview.

Navigator Grant. CCNC is one of four NC groups to receive federal grant funds to train “navigators” to help patients locate new private-sector coverage options available through the state's new Health Insurance Exchange beginning operations October 1.   Read more from the News & Observer, The Associated Press and the Winston-Salem Journal.

Health Affairs. Congratulations to Annette DuBard, Carlos Jackson and Troy Trygstad on the publication of their article in Health Affairs related to CCNC’s transitional care program. The CCNC news release can be found here and a link to the full text of the article can be found on the CCNC site (click the link on the left-hand side of the page). Additional coverage included:

CMCS Informational Bulletin. The Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services released an Informational Bulletin, “Targeting Medicaid Super-Utilizers to Decrease Costs and Improve Quality,” which features CCNC as a positive example of a super-utilizer program. The study details CCNC’s transitional care program and explains the process of managing the high-risk, high-cost Medicaid population and how other states are doing similar work. CCNC’s Annette DuBard also commented on CCNC’s program in HealthPolicyNewsStand.

CHIPRA Spotlight. CCNC's CHIPRA project was highlighted in the Healthy North Carolina 2020 July 2013 Update. July’s focus was oral health and the CHIPRA/Pediatric team‘s Oral Health workgroup focused on promoting dental homes for very young children, increasing rates of dental varnishing and promoting the use of the PORRT (oral risk screen). 

 

Other News

Patient Education Medical Home Video. In partnership with the local DSS office, Community Care of the Sandhills created a video for new Medicaid/CCNC enrollees to provide information about choosing the physician’s office instead of the emergency department for more routine health care needs. The video is a great teachable moment for patients and networks are welcome to share it. View the video here.

State Health Director Appointment. Congratulations to Dr. Robin Cummings of Pinehurst on being named Acting State Health Director. Dr. Cummings, a retired cardiothoracic surgeon, previously served as director of the Office of Rural Health and Community and as medical director and executive director for Community Care of the Sandhills. Read more about Dr. Cummings’ appointment here.

Congratulations! Randy Barrington from Community Care of the Lower Cape Fear is taking on an expanded QI role with the Central Office and will be providing support to networks around QI activities with practices. His new title is Quality Improvement Facilitator. Way to go, Randy!