medicare offers obestiy counseling

I read in a magazine that on Nov. 27th CMS announced that they now offer behavioral therapy for obesity as a preventive service to be offered to Medicare beneficiaries without cost sharing. The benefit includes screening for obesity and medicare will cover counseling with a primary care physician or other primary care provider. I have not found any other information anywhere about this has anyone heard anything about it and where can I go to get more information?

re: medicare offers obestiy counseling

I have been searching regarding this very same issue. I am hoping someone out there knows how to bill this.

re: medicare offers obestiy counseling

Ask your fabulous physician Dr Hirsch- he may be able to help you. Here is the long version of the rule: http://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/nca-decision-memo.aspx?&NcaName=Intensive%20Behavioral%20Therapy%20for%20Obesity&bc=ACAAAAAAIAAA&NCAId=253&

CPT® code G0447, a 15-minute face-to-face behavioral counseling for obesity, has been assigned total non-facility RVUs of 0.74. The 2011 conversion factor is $33.9764.

re: medicare offers obestiy counseling

http://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/nca-decision-memo.aspx?&NcaName=Intensive%20Behavioral%20Therapy%20for%20Obesity&bc=ACAAAAAAIAAA&NCAId=253&

re: medicare offers obestiy counseling

What would be the appropriate dx code?

re: medicare offers obestiy counseling

great question- they don't specify, do they? How about 278.00?

re: medicare offers obestiy counseling

The CPT® code for Obesity counseling is G0447, and must be used with BMI dx codes V85.1 -V85.45......I believe we found it on the Quick Reference Information; Preventative Services on Medicares website...I hope this helps.

re: medicare offers obestiy counseling

Be careful with these codes. They are 15 minute services. Your clinician needs to spend 15 minutes with the patient and the RVUs are low.