Medicare Blog

how to code medicare wellness visit

by Prof. Delores Mosciski Jr. Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Code for the wellness visit.
An initial annual wellness visit (G0438) can be provided 12 months after the patient first enrolled or 12 months after he or she received the IPPE. A subsequent annual wellness visit (G0439) can then be provided annually.
Apr 26, 2019

Full Answer

What is Medicare initial annual wellness visit?

What is an Annual Wellness Visit (AWV)? The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services established the Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) to keep Medicare beneficiaries healthy and promote preventive care. AWVs are provided with no patient cost sharing. An AWV is available after a Medicare beneficiary has had Part B for longer than 12 months.

What is the ICD 10 code for annual wellness visit?

Z00.00 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. The 2021 edition of ICD-10-CM Z00.00 became effective on October 1, 2020.

What is the code for Welcome to Medicare visit?

Welcome to Medicare” Exam Codes Diagnosis Code Description G0402 Any appropriate code is accepted “Welcome to Medicare” initial preventive physical exam (IPPE) limited to new beneficiary during the first 12 months of Medicare enrollment G0403 Electrocardiogram, routine ECG with 12 leads; performed as a screening for

How to perform the new Medicare wellness visits?

What is included in an Initial AWV with PPPS?

  • Medical and family history
  • List of current medical providers
  • Height, weight, BMI, BP, and other appropriate routine measurements
  • Detection of cognitive impairment
  • Review risk factors – Review of functional ability
  • Establish a written screening schedule for the next 5-10 years
  • Establish a list of risk factors

More items...

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Can you bill G0439 with 99214?

They can bill the service under the physician's NPI incident-to. The AWV is billed with two codes, G0438 and G0439, which are based on relative value units (RVUs) for 99204 and 99214 respectively.

What is the ICD 10 code for Medicare Annual Wellness visit?

G0439 Annual Wellness Visit, Subsequent (AWV) Annual Wellness Visits can be for either new or established patients as the code does not differentiate. The initial AWV, G0438, is performed on patients that have been enrolled with Medicare for more than one year.

How do you bill for annual wellness visit?

CodingG0438. Annual wellness visit; includes a personalized prevention plan of service (pps), initial visit.G0439. Annual wellness visit, includes a personalized prevention plan of service (pps), subsequent visit.G0468*

Does CPT code G0439 need a modifier?

Along with code G0438 or G0439, CPT code modifier -25 must be appended to the medically necessary E&M service. CPT guidelines define the -25 modifier as "Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management (E/M) service by the same physician on the same day of the procedure or other service."

What is the ICD-10 code for wellness exam?

Z00.00ICD-10 Code for Encounter for general adult medical examination without abnormal findings- Z00. 00- Codify by AAPC.

Can we bill 99397 and G0439 together?

No you cannot bill the AWV with the preventive visit. You can bill the AWV with a separate E/M.

Can you bill G0402 and 99397 together?

Must meet the requirements and be billed with one of the following codes: CPTs 99381-99387 or 99391- 99397, or HCPCS G0402, G0438, G0439 Annual routine physical exam can be combined with IPPE and AWV.

How do I bill G0439?

This initial AWV must be coded using G0438. CPT G0439 is used to code all subsequent Annual Wellness Visits that occur after the initial Annual Wellness Visit (G0438). So, if used correctly, G0439 would not be used until G0402 was used to code the IPPE, and G0438 was used to code the initial AWV.

Can you bill G0444 and G0439 together?

You can bill G0444 with a G0439, the subsequent AWV, which does not list depression screening as a required element.

What is the difference between G0439 and 99397?

A full physical exam, 99397, is different than an Annual Wellness Visit, G0438/G0439, or “Welcome to Medicare Exam”, G0402. A full physical 99397 or 99387 is NOT covered by Medicare and patients are responsible for the cost and can be billed.

What is the difference between G0438 and G0439?

As a reminder, there are two codes related to the AWV: G0438 (includes a personalized prevention plan of service, initial visit) and G0439 ( includes a personalized prevention plan of service, subsequent visit).

What is the difference between a Medicare wellness exam and a physical?

There is a difference between an “annual wellness visit” and an “annual physical exam.” One is focused more on preventing disease and disability, while the other is more focused on checking your current overall health.

What is the Medicare visit code?

In addition to the primary visit codes (G0402, G0438, and G0439) , a select list of other codes may be billed for services performed during a Welcome to Medicare Visit or Annual Wellness Visit. When using any of these codes, a separate note is required to support each rendered service.

What is Medicare wellness visit?

Medicare preventive wellness visits fall into three categories; the Welcome to Medicare Visit, also known as the Initial Preventive Physical Exam (IPPE), the initial Annual Wellness Visit, and subsequent Annual Wellness Visits. Each has its own Current Procedural Terminology code that must be used in the right circumstances and proper order.

What is CPT G0439?

CPT G0439 is used to code all subsequent Annual Wellness Visits that occur after the initial Annual Wellness Visit (G0438). So, if used correctly, G0439 would not be used until G0402 was used to code the IPPE, and G0438 was used to code the initial AWV. In the case that an IPPE was never completed, G0439 would still be used for any subsequent ...

What is the AWV code for IPPE?

An AWV is similar to the IPPE but includes slightly different required and accepted screenings. This initial AWV must be coded using G0438.

What is a G0513 code?

G0513 and G0514 are 'prolonged preventive service codes' that can be used when a service takes 30 minutes (G0513) or 60+ minutes (G0514) past the typical duration of the service.

What is the difference between G0438 and G0439?

As a result, the G0438 code is reimbursed at a rate that is nearly 50% higher than G0439. So if a medical practice regularly misses using the G0438 code for an initial Medicare Annual Wellness Visit and uses G0439 instead, it could mean a significant loss of revenue.

How long does Medicare cover AWV?

Medicare covers an AWV for all patients who aren’t within 12 months after the eligibility date for their first Medicare Part B benefit period and who didn’t have an IPPE or an AWV within the past 12 months. Medicare pays for only 1 IPPE per patient per lifetime and 1 additional AWV per year thereafter.

What is an IPPE in Medicare?

Initial Preventive Physical Examination (IPPE) The IPPE, known as the “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit, promotes good health through disease prevention and detection. Medicare pays for 1 patient IPPE per lifetime not later than the first 12 months after the patient’s Medicare Part B benefits eligibility date.

How many times can you report ACP?

There are no limits on the number of times you can report ACP for a certain patient in a certain time period. When billing this patient service multiple times, document the change in the patient’s health status and/or wishes regarding their end-of-life care. Preparing Eligible Medicare Patients for the AWV.

What is routine physical exam?

Routine Physical Exam. Exam performed without relationship to treatment or diagnosis for a specific illness, symptom, complaint, or injury. ✘ Not covered by Medicare; prohibited by statute, however, the IPPE, AWV, or other Medicare benefits cover some elements of a routine physical. ✘ Patient pays 100% out-of-pocket.

Does Medicare waive ACP deductible?

Medicare waives the ACP deductible and coinsurance once per year when billed with the AWV. If the AWV billed with ACP is denied for exceeding the once-per-year limit, Medicare will apply the ACP deductible and coinsurance. The deductible and coinsurance apply when you deliver the ACP outside of the covered AWV.

Does the AWV include HRA?

The AWV includes a HRA. See summary below of the minimum elements in the HRA. Get more information in the CDC’s A Framework for Patient-Centered Health Risk Assessments booklet, including:

What is a CVD visit?

Also known as a CVD risk reduction visit , this service is essentially cardiovascular risk counseling. Considering heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States, you may not be surprised to learn that this service is often provided with the AWV. Code it as follows:

How long is a G0447 visit?

Face-to-face behavioral counseling for obesity, group (2–10), 30 minutes. Medicare will reimburse up to 22 visits billed with the codes G0447 and G0473, combined, in a 12-month period. These 12 months are broken down as follows: First month: one face-to-face visit week.

How long does it take for Medicare to pay for IPPE?

Also known as the “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit, Medicare pays for a single beneficiary IPPE per lifetime, and the IPPE must be furnished no later than the first 12 months after the beneficiary’s eligibility date for Medicare Part B benefits.

How often do you have to see a doctor for obesity?

Months 2–6: one face-to-face visit every other week. Months 7–12: one face-to-face visit every month (if the patient meets certain requirements) At the 6-month visit, healthcare practitioners must perform a reassessment of obesity and determine amount of weight loss.

Is LDCT a covered service?

LDCT scan for lung cancer screening. The service can be provided annually for covered patients. In the first year, a healthcare practitioner is required to counsel the patient at a shared- decision-making visit before performing the first lung cancer LDCT screening.

Is advance care planning part of AWV?

Advance care planning is almost always part of the AWV. Such a service should be furnished at the beneficiary's discretion. It is intended to discuss the patient's healthcare wishes if they become unable to make decisions about their care. Part of this discussion typically includes advance directives.

Can Medicare Part B preventive services be provided at the same time?

Now that we summarized billing the Medicare wellness visit, let's look at coding some of the more common Medicare Part B preventive services that may be provided to patients at the same time that the AWV is furnished.

What is the HCPCS code for a wellness visit?

This exam is billed using HCPCS code G0402. An Annual Wellness Visit code of G0438 should not be used — and will be denied — because the patient is eligible for the Welcome to Medicare visit during the first year of enrollment. For more information on the Welcome to Medicare visit go-to CMS.

What is annual wellness visit?

Annual Wellness visit, including a personalized prevention plan of service (PPPS), subsequent visit. Annual Wellness Visits can be for either new or established patients as the code does not differentiate.

Is 99397 covered by Medicare?

Preventative Medicine codes 99387 and 99397, better known to offices as Complete Physical Exams or Well Checks for 65 and older, still remain a non-covered, routine service from Medicare. The Well Woman Exam codes G0101 and Q0091 are covered services.

How often do you get a wellness visit with Medicare?

Medicare members are also entitled to receive an Annual Wellness Visit every calendar year thereafter for a $0 copayment for specific services to be provided during each type of visit.

What is the HCPCS code for AWV?

Answer: The HCPCS codes for the first AWV service (HCPCS code G0438) and subsequent AWV services (HCPCS code G0439) do not include other preventive services that are paid separately by Medicare.

When will Medicare denied my G0438?

If a claim for a G0438 or G0439 is submitted within the first 12 months after the effective date of the beneficiary’s first Medicare Part B coverage, it will also be denied as that beneficiary is eligible for the IPPE or “Welcome to Medicare” physical.

Does Medicare cover pelvic exam?

Coverage on employer group Medicare Advantage plans may vary . Additionally, all plans offer a Pap/Pelvic Exam (including pelvic exam and the pap collection with coverage periodicity following Medicare guidelines: covered annually for those at high risk and every 2 years for all other women) for a $0 copay.

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