All Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) guidelines are based on the most current scientific evidence, and are adapted from standards published by nationally recognized authorities.
Preventive health guidelines are standards of care developed to encourage the appropriate provision of preventive services to patients, according to their age, gender, and risk-status. These services include screenings, immunizations, and physical examinations.
Source: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists - Oral Health Care During Pregnancy and Through the Lifespan, 2013
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Source: American Academy of Pediatrics - Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children and Adolescents, 2017
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Source: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Guideline on Periodicity of Examination, Preventive Dental Services, Anticipatory Guidance/Counseling, and Oral Treatment for Infants, Children, and Adolescents, 2013
Source: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry - Policy on Perinatal and Infant Oral Health Care, 2016
Source: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry - Policy on Use of Fluoride 2014
Source: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Guidelines for Perinatal Care, 8th edition
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Source: American Academy of Pediatrics, Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children and Adolescents, 2017
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Source: United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Recommendations for Primary Care Practice American Academy of Family Physicians, Clinical Preventive Services Recommendations
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Sources: United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Recommendations for Primary Care Practice American Academy of Family Physicians, Clinical Preventive Services Recommendations
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Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
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Practice Guidelines are systematically developed statements that help practitioners make decisions about appropriate health care for specific chronic or acute clinical circumstances.
Source: National Institutes of Health National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute-National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Expert Panel Report 3-Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma
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American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) Practice Parameters
- Autism (2014) (PDF)
- Eating Disorders (2015) (PDF)
- Telepsychiatry with Children and Adolescents (2017) (PDF)
- Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Anxiety Disorders (2020) (PDF)
- Clinical Practice Guideline for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Major and Persistent Depressive Disorders (2022) (PDF)
- Clinical Update: Collaborative Mental Health Care for Children and Adolescents in Pediatric Primary Care (2022) (PDF)
American Academy of Pediatrics Clinical Practice Guidelines
- Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adolescents (2019)
- Identification, Evaluation, and Management of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (2020) (PDF)
- Identification and Management of Eating Disorders in Children and Adolescents (2021)
American Psychiatric Association (APA) Clinical Practice Guidelines
- The American Psychiatric Association Practice Guidelines for the Psychiatric Evaluation of Adults (2015)
- The American Psychiatric Association Practice Guideline on the Use of Antipsychotics to Treat Agitation or Psychosis in Patients With Dementia (2016)
- The American Psychiatric Association Practice Guideline for the Pharmacological Treatment of Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder (2018)
- Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Schizophrenia (2021)
- The American Psychiatric Association Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients With Eating Disorders, 4th Edition (2023)
- Perinatal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders (2023) (PDF)
- The American Psychiatric Association Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Borderline Personality Disorder, 2nd edition (2024)
American Psychological Association (APA) Clinical Practice Guidelines
- Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Adults (2017)
- Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Depression Across Three Age Cohorts (2019)
- Psychological Assessment and Evaluation (2020) (PDF)
- Guidelines for the Evaluation of Dementia and Age-Related Cognitive Change (2021) (PDF)
- Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Adults (2025) (PDF)
- Guidance on Strategies to Promote Best Practice in Antipsychotic Prescribing for Children and Adolescents (2019) (PDF)
- Psychosocial Interventions for Older Adults with Serious Mental Illness (2021) (PDF)
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense (VA/DoD) Clinical Practice Guidelines
Depression Screening Tools
Source: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Screening for Depression in Adults. June 2023.
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Source: U.S. Preventive Service Task Force (USPSTF). Depression and Suicide Risk in Children and Adolescents: Screening. October 2022.
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Source: American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) / American Heart Association (AHA) Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure
Source: National Institutes of Health National Heart Lung Blood Institute - Eighth Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC 8)
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Health care is a rapidly changing industry that's guided in part by legislative decisions. These decisions can sometimes affect how we conduct business together.
The following resources can help keep you informed about legislative changes and requirements affecting health care:
- HIPAA Version 5010
- Federal No Surprises Act
- Congress.gov -The official website for US federal legislative information.
- America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) - National association representing health insurance companies providing coverage to more than 200 million Americans.
- NC Department of Insurance (DOI) Life & Health Division - Health Care Reform - Regulates the insurance industry, educates consumers, handles consumer complaints, and more.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in its health programs and activities. Learn more about our non-discrimination policy and no-cost services available to you.
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