The N.C. Association of Health Underwriters (NCAHU) recently announced a new website, www.HealthCareNC.org, to help consumers in the state find a licensed certified marketplace agent in their local area.

Mark Waugh, president of the N.C. Association of Health Underwriters, said in a news release that by law, only licensed agents can help consumer select health insurance coverage in the new health insurance marketplace created as provisions of the Affordable Care Act are rolled out.

“It is important that consumers have access to health insurance professionals who know the intricacies of health insurance plans even those offered in the marketplace. It doesn’t cost any more to seek the advice of a health insurance professional who is marketplace-certified,” Waugh said. “By using this tool, consumers can have confidence that they will receive unbiased advice by viewing which insurance companies the agent is appointed with.”

The website is not the same as the federal HealthCare.org site that has been plagued with technical problems since its launch.
Agents must also follow a strict code of conduct to be included on www.HealthCareNC.org, Waugh said.

Marketplace open enrollment started in October.

MinuteClinics expand to Wilmington area
The first MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinic in coastal southeastern North Carolina recently opened inside a CVS store at 6901 Market St. in Wilmington.

Additional clinics in Carolina Beach, at 901 Dow Road, and Leland, at 1132 East Cutlar Crossing, also opened in October.

The Wilmington clinic is MinuteClinic’s 54th in North Carolina.

The clinics are open seven days a week. No appointments are required, and most health insurance is accepted. For patients paying cash or credit, treatment prices are posted at each clinic and on www.minuteclinic.com. The cost for most treatment starts at $79.

“Since the first store-based clinic opened in North Carolina in 2005, MinuteClinic has helped to expand patient access to high-quality, convenient and affordable care at convenient CVS/pharmacy locations near where residents live and work,” Andrew Sussman, MinuteClinic president and senior vice president/associate chief medical officer of CVS Caremark Corporation, said in a news release.

MinuteClinic nurse practitioners and physician assistants specialize in family health care and can diagnose, treat and write prescriptions for common family illnesses such as strep throat and ear, eye, sinus, bladder and bronchial infections. Treatments for minor wounds and common vaccinations are available at most locations.

PMG, WH announce research partnership
PMG Research Inc. and Wilmington Health recently announced finalization of a master agreement that formalizes a five-year relationship between the two organizations.

Wilmington Health, the largest private, fully integrated, multi-specialty medical group practice in southeastern North Carolina, has been treating patients for nearly 40 years. PMG Research of Wilmington, one of 10 clinical research sites in the Winston-Salem-based PMG Research network, has been conducting clinical research in the Wilmington area since 1997.

“It comes as a result of the hard work and dedication of teams at PMG Research and Wilmington Health, and truly benefits both the patient and medical communities by expanding awareness of and access to clinical research,” Jennifer Byrne, CEO of PMG Research, said in a news release about the partnership.

Wilmington Health will provide ancillary services and procedures associated with any of PMG Research of Wilmington’s ongoing trials.

‘Brahms’ Lullaby’ heralds births at hospital
Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center is now making the experience of bringing a baby into the world extra special for families, staff and visitors by playing “Brahms’ Lullaby” on the intercom system each time a baby is born in the hospital.

The hospital began the tradition this summer by playing a 20-second recording of the song to announce births.

Surgical services employee Liz Boyer advocated for the creation of the program, hospital spokeswoman Amy Myers said.

“It was neat to have the lullaby play announcing Mannix’s arrival,” Krista Bunch said about her child’s birth at the hospital. “One of our fellow church members who works in the hospital immediately sent me a congratulations note on Facebook after hearing the lullaby.”

The soothing “Brahms’ Lullaby” can be heard throughout hospital halls, waiting rooms, surgical units, laboratory and patient rooms.

Geriatric care convention set for November
The Southeastern Geriatric Care Convention will be held Nov. 7 and 8 at the Hilton Wilmington Riverside. The South East Area Health Education Center (SEAHEC) is sponsoring the event.

Patricia Quigley, featured convention speaker, will focus on how to deliver quality care to aged clients. Convention topics also will focus on the latest updates on Alzheimer’s and dementia care.

Presentations will cover fall prevention, nutrition, pharmacology, pain assessment and treatment as well as an overall picture of how North Carolina, as a whole, delivers care to aged clients.

Experts from across the country and region will present and offer practice suggestions and research to support care and treatment.
The convention is open to all health care professionals who work with geriatric clients. Registration is 7-7:45 a.m. each day. For registration information, go to www.seahec.net.

Groundbreaking held for SECU Family House
New Hanover Regional Medical Center and the State Employees Credit Union broke ground Sept. 30 for the new SECU Family House at NHRMC.

When families travel to Wilmington for medical care, many need a place to stay and rest while their loved one receives treatment.
The SECU Family House at NHRMC is scheduled to open in fall 2014 and replaces the hospital’s former Hospitality House on Medical Center Drive.

The new 17,000-square-foot facility, with 24 rooms and shared kitchen and living room space, will be on Physicians Drive.

It “will be a relaxing and peaceful place in which patients and families can rest, prepare meals and find the support of staff, volunteers and other guests while they are receiving care at New Hanover Regional Medical Center,” NHRMC spokeswoman Erin Balzotti said in a news release.

Cape Fear Cancer Specialists recognized
A national organization that certifies oncology practices for meeting the highest quality standards has recognized Cape Fear Cancer Specialists, part of the NHRMC Physician Group, for its care of patients with cancer.

The Quality Oncology Practice Initiative, or QOPI, is an affiliate of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

“Oncology practices that are committed to quality and safety are those that provide the most optimal cancer care,” ASCO president Sandra Swain said in a news release.Through the QOPI program, practices review data from their patients’ records and compare it to more than 100 evidence-based and consensus quality measures.

“As a QOPI-certified program, we are continuously reviewing and looking for ways to improve the care we provide to our patients,” Birgit Arb, a medical oncologist with the practice, said in the release.

“We are proud to maintain this recognition on a national level.”