Guide to Medicare Preventive Services for Physicians, Providers, Suppliers, and Other Health Care Professionals

摘要

Every year, hundreds of thousands of Americans die prematurely from diseases that are preventable through immunization or amendable through early detection, treatment, and lifestyle changes. The good news is that every year the statistics improve. Some of this improvement can be attributed to an increased national focus on early detection and promotion of prevention and screening services. Prior to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act (MMA) of 2003, the Medicare Program provided coverage for many preventive services, including: annual mammography screening, increased access to Pap tests and pelvic exams, colorectal and prostate cancer screening, glaucoma screening, diabetes supplies, diabetes self-management training, medical nutrition therapy, and bone mass measurement. The MMA further expanded preventive services for Medicare beneficiaries to include an Initial Preventive Physical Examination (IPPE), i.e., the Welcome to Medicare physical exam, coverage for cardiovascular screening blood tests, and coverage for diabetes screening tests. The inclusion of these new benefits continues the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS') effort to move Medicare toward a prevention-oriented program. This national focus on prevention and early detection has resulted in a higher level of consumer interest in preventive medicine and a greater need for information on Medicare coverage of these preventive services. CMS is taking significant steps to reach out and educate both the provider community and beneficiaries about the array of preventive services and screenings Medicare covers for eligible beneficiaries. The Guide to Medicare Preventive Services for Physicians, Providers, Suppliers, and Other Health Care Professionals is one resource that CMS has prepared for the provider community as part of a comprehensive program to promote awareness and increase utilization of these benefits. This guide also provides coverage, coding, billing, and payment information to help you file claims effectively.