Medicare Blog

medicare rules and regulations for who can create chronic patient plan of care

by America McLaughlin Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

You’re eligible for Medicare’s Chronic Care Management Services if you suffer from two or more chronic conditions. These conditions must be expected to last at least 12 months or until the death of the patient. Also, if you’re eligible, you should take advantage of the benefits Medicare has to offer.

Full Answer

Does Medicare cover chronic care management?

If you have supplemental insurance, or have both Medicare and Medicaid, it may help cover the monthly fee. Chronic care management offers additional help managing chronic conditions like arthritis, asthma, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, osteoporosis, and mental health and other conditions.

What is included in a chronic care management plan?

Chronic care management offers additional help managing chronic conditions like arthritis and diabetes. This includes a comprehensive care plan that lists your health problems and goals, other providers, medications, community services you have and need, and other information about your health.

What is the CPT code for chronic care management?

CPT 99491 Chronic care management services, provided personally by a physician or other qualified health care professional, at least 30 minutes of physician or other qualified health care professional time, per calendar month, with the following required elements:

What are the rules for meeting with a Medicare agent?

Independent agents and brokers selling plans must be licensed by the state, and the plan must tell the state which agents are selling their plans. If you're going to meet with an agent, the agent must follow all the rules for Medicare plans and some specific rules for meeting with you.

How do I set up chronic care management?

Chronic Care Management (CCM): How to Implement Your ProgramStep 1: Develop a Plan and Form Your Care Team.Step 2: Identify and Recruit Eligible Patients.Step 3: Enroll Patients.Step 4: Deliver CCM and Engage Patients.Step 5: Coding, Billing, and Reimbursement.Care Coordination Software To Help You Manage CCM.

What are the documentation requirements for chronic care management?

Requirements: Two or more chronic conditions expected to last at least 12 months (or until the death of the patient) Patient consent (verbal or signed) Personalized care plan in a certified EHR and a copy provided to patient.

Who can bill CCM codes?

CCM services aren't within the scope of practice of limited- license physicians and practitioners like clinical psychologists, podiatrists, or dentists, but CCM practitioners may refer or consult with these practitioners to coordinate and manage care. CPT code 99491 — Time only the billing practitioner spends.

Is CCM only for Medicare patients?

Any condition that meets the Medicare criteria can qualify a patient for CCM. Some of the most common examples include: Alzheimer's disease.

What is chronic care management Medicare?

If you have 2 or more serious chronic conditions (like arthritis and diabetes) that you expect to last at least a year, Medicare may pay for a health care provider's help to manage those conditions. You pay a monthly fee, and the Part B.

What is a CCM coordinator?

Care Coordinator Functions as a coordinator of a defined health population across care settings and for multiple health care providers/facilities or health plan counterparts.

How is chronic care management billed?

CPT 99439, to be used with CPT 99490, is defined as non-complex, chronic care management services, each additional 20 minutes of clinical staff time directed by a physician or other QHP, per calendar month. For health centers, CPT 99439 will crosswalk to G0511.

What is Wagner's chronic care model?

Wagner's Chronic Care Model aims to transform the daily care of patients with chronic illnesses from acute and reactive to proactive, planned, and population-based.

What is chronic care?

Chronic care management includes any care provided by medical professionals to patients who have chronic diseases and conditions. A disease or condition is chronic when it lasts a year or more, requires ongoing medical attention or limits the activities of daily life.

What conditions are considered chronic by CMS?

CMS IDENTIFIES 15 CHRONIC CONDITIONS FOR MEDICAREChronic alcohol and other drug dependence.Certain autoimmune disorders.Cancer excluding pre-cancer conditions.Certain cardiovascular disorders.Chronic heart failure.Dementia.Diabetes mellitus.End-stage liver disease.More items...•

How do you introduce chronic care management to patients?

Offering Chronic Care Management to Patients Explain the Benefits. ... Get Your Staff on Board. ... Progress Reports. ... Prescription Refills and Discounts. ... Engage Community Resources.

What chronic conditions are covered by Medicare?

Chronic ConditionsAlcohol AbuseDrug Abuse/ Substance AbuseAlzheimer's Disease and Related DementiaHeart FailureArthritis (Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid)Hepatitis (Chronic Viral B & C)AsthmaHIV/AIDSAtrial FibrillationHyperlipidemia (High cholesterol)6 more rows•Dec 1, 2021

How does Medicare use chronic care management?

Medicare uses chronic care management to help direct a person’s healthcare. This can reduce the number of hospital visits needed and keeps costs to a minimum.

How long does a chronic condition last on Medicare?

Medicare does not limit eligibility to a specific list of health conditions. Conditions that can qualify are expected to last at least 12 months, and are expected to increase the risk of going to the hospital, long term disability, or loss of life.

What is CCM in Medicare?

Chronic care management (CCM) is normally covered under the Medicare Part B benefit and is for those who have two or more chronic conditions. The CCM program provides help for a person to manage their health from within the community and can offer greater outcomes and better levels of satisfaction.

What is a coinsurance for Medicare?

Coinsurance: This is a percentage of a treatment cost that a person will need to self-fund. For Medicare Part B, this comes to 20%. Copayment: This is a fixed dollar amount that an insured person pays when receiving certain treatments. For Medicare, this usually applies to prescription drugs.

What does Medicare Part A cover?

Medicare Part A covers costs in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and nursing home care, and Part B covers costs for doctor visits, durable medical equipment, and other outpatient services.

What are the services that can be provided under CCM?

Some of the services that can be provided under CCM include: health management services. organizing other healthcare providers by phone, digitally, or in-person. community resource referral, services, and support. disease education to achieve health management. health education, including health literacy.

How old do you have to be to be a Pace center?

To qualify a person must: have Medicare, Medicaid, or both. be aged 55 years or older. live in a PACE center service area. have a state-certified need for nursing home care.

How long does a chronic care provider have to be on a calendar month?

Chronic care management services, provided personally by a physician or other qualified health care professional, at least 30 minutes of physician or other qualified health care professional time, per calendar month, with the following required elements:

How long does a chronic care manager have to be on staff?

Chronic care management services, at least 20 minutes of clinical staff time directed by a physician

What is the MLN 909188?

Chronic Care Management Services MLN Booklet ICN MLN909188 July 2019 Practitioners who furnish a CCM initiating visit and personally perform extensive assessment and CCM care planning outside of the usual effort described by the initiating visit code may also bill HCPCS code G0506 (Comprehensive assessment of and care planning by the physician or other qualified health care professional for patients requiring chronic care management services [billed separately from monthly care management services] [Add-on code, list separately in addition to primary service]). G0506 is reportable once per CCM billing practitioner, in conjunction with CCM initiation.

What is CCM in healthcare?

CCM services are typically provided outside of face-to-face patient visits, and focus on characteristics of advanced primary care such as a continuous relationship with a designated member of the care team; patient support for chronic diseases to achieve health goals; 24/7 patient access to care and health information; receipt of preventive care; patient and caregiver engagement; and timely sharing and use of health information.

What is CPT code 99491?

CPT code 99491 includes only time that is spent personally by the billing practitioner. Clinical staff time is not counted towards the required time threshold for reporting this code.

How many practitioners can be paid for CCM?

Only one practitioner may be paid for CCM services for a given calendar month.

Why do you need advance consent for CCM?

Obtaining advance consent for CCM services ensures the patient is engaged and aware of applicable cost sharing. It may also help prevent duplicative practitioner billing. A practitioner must obtain patient consent before furnishing or billing CCM. Consent may be verbal or written but must be documented in the medical record,

How long does chronic care management last?

These conditions must be expected to last at least 12 months or until the death of the patient. Also, if you’re eligible, you should take advantage ...

Why is chronic care important?

Chronic care management is critical to those with severe health conditions. It can help patients continuously manage these conditions, potentially reducing pain, and increasing relaxation, mobility, and even lifespan.

What do you need to do after a doctor visit?

After your doctor visit, you will need to give consent to start getting managed care. Finally, you and your doctor will form an in-depth care plan for your future.

Does Medicare cover medical expenses?

Thankfully, Medigap plans can help with these extra costs. While Medicare covers many of your medical needs, it doesn't cover every cost you'll face. When you enroll in a Medigap plan, you can get help with copays, deductibles, and coinsurance.

Is chronic care a Part B benefit?

This type of care is a Part B benefit. If you’re an Advantage beneficiary, you can enroll in chronic care management if you qualify.

Does Medicare cover Advantage?

If you have a Medigap plan, you may pay even less. Since Medicare covers these services, an Advantage plan will also cover you when you need this type of care. The goal of this program is to give you high-quality, coordinated care that will help you gain better health.

Does Medicare pay for chronic care?

Medicare can pay for your doctor’s help in managing your chronic conditions. Chronic care services will fall under your Part B benefits. You will need to pay for your Part B deductible, coinsurance, and copays. If you have a Medigap plan, you may pay even less. Since Medicare covers these services, an Advantage plan will also cover you ...

What is a CCIP in MA?

Per 42 CFR 422.152 (a) (2) and (c), MA organizations are required to conduct Chronic Care Improvement Program (CCIP) initiatives. The statutory and regulatory intent of the CCIPs includes the promotion of effective chronic disease management and the improvement of care and health outcomes for enrollees with chronic conditions. CMS recommends MAOs conduct CCIPs over a three-year period.

When do MAOs report CCIP?

MAOs must use the Health Plan Management System (HPMS) to report the status of their CCIP to CMS by December 31 annually. Submissions include an attestation by the MAO regarding its compliance with the ongoing CCIP requirement (42 CFR 422.152 (c) (2)).

Do MAOs have to submit annual updates to CMS?

MAOs must conduct the activities described in the Plan Sections and Annual Update sections as required by 422.152, but there is no requirement to submit them to CMS. In addition, MAOs should assess and internally document activities related to these quality initiatives on an ongoing basis, as well as modify interventions and/or processes as necessary. MAOs must make information on the status and results of ongoing projects available to CMS upon request (42 CFR 422.152 (c) (2)). Model templates for both CCIP components are available for reference in the CCIP Resource Document below.

What is CCM in Medicare?

Medicare reimburses providers for the provision of coordinated care services to patients with two or more chronic conditions. CCM is a calendar month program that tracks the patient’s health issues through a Comprehensive Care Plan, reimbursing for non-face-to-face interactions related to the patient’s health.

How long do chronic conditions last?

The patient must have multiple (two or more) chronic conditions expected to last at least 12 months, or until the death of the patient. Chronic conditions place the patient at significant risk of death, acute exacerbation/decompensation, or functional decline.

What are the most common chronic conditions?

Types of Chronic Conditions. Examples of the most common Chronic Conditions in the United States include d iabetes, high blood pressure, hypertension, heart disease, heart failure, COPD, and asthma.

Key Takeaways

Find out more information on how community-based organizations can implement and receive reimbursement for chronic care management (CCM) services to help sustain CDSME programs.

General

There are a wide range of services that can be provided under CCM for Medicare beneficiaries with multiple chronic conditions. While the list below is not exhaustive, it provides examples of the types of services that can be provided:

Personnel

There are no specific credentialing requirements for personnel who deliver CCM services, as long as they operate under the general supervision of a qualified physician or non-physician provider (nurse practitioner or physician assistant) provider. However, personnel should be part of the clinical team, not administrative staff.

CCM and Complex CCM

CCM (also referred to as regular or non-complex CCM) covers 20 minutes of clinical staff time per month (CPT code 99490) for ongoing oversight, management, and care planning. In 2017, the CCM benefit was expanded to include complex CCM (CPT code 99487), which covers 60 minutes of time and allows for moderate to high complexity decision making.

Documentation and Billing

Advance consent for CCM services may be verbal or written. If the consent was verbal, there should be documentation in the electronic health record reflecting this.

CCM and DSMT

CCM services can be offered in conjunction with other Medicare Part B benefits, such as Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT). For example, if a beneficiary who is receiving DSMT needs assistance with transportation or has concerns about managing co-occurring chronic condition (s), CCM services can be provided to address those unmet needs.

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