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4103 - Medicare Coverage of Annual Wellness Visit Providing a Personalized Prevention Plan

 
Implementation Status 
Statutory Text 

Summary

As revised by section 10402(b) of the Senate Manager’s Amendment, beginning January 1, 2011, requires that Medicare cover, with no co-insurance or Part B deductible to the beneficiary, personalized prevention plan services (PPPS) (which include the annual wellness visit (AWV)).  Stipulates that this new option applies to an individual who is no longer within 12 months after the effective date of his or her first Medicare Part B coverage period, and has not received either an initial preventive physical examination or an AWV providing PPPS within the past 12 months.  Specifies certain reporting requirements of the Secretary of HHS, including the publication of guidelines for health risk assessments (HRAs) by March 23, 2011; standards for interactive telephonic or web-based programs to furnish HRAs by March 23, 2011; and a HRA model by September 23, 2011.

#Costs, #Prevention, #Wellness

Implementation Status

 
Summary 
Statutory Text 

2010

CMS published final guidance in the fall of 2010 regarding the application of the new Medicare PPPS benefit category, including the AWV, in its CY 2011 MPFS final rule.  CMS published similar final guidance relative to the exclusion of the AWV from payment under the OPPS and elimination of beneficiary cost-sharing for certain preventive services in outpatient hospital settings in its CY 2011 OPPS/ASC final rule (as well as related guidance here).

Subsequent to the finalization of these rules, CMS issued a number of stakeholder-related publications to educate providers and consumers around this new benefit category (e.g., see here and here).  See also more specific CMS contractor guidance that contains nuanced information regarding the technical changes to Medicare provider manuals.

The CDC published a webpage that contains a consolidated listing of CDC’s collaborative efforts with CMS to develop a framework for a HRA to be included in the AWV pursuant to this provision, including the final HRA framework as well as background documents and meeting information that served to inform such document.  AHRQ also posted information pertaining to the use of specialized software by physician practices to complete the AWV (see here).

2013

On February 7, 2013, CMS released a report titled, The Affordable Care Act: A Stronger Medicare Program in 2012, in which it highlighted several of the reforms enacted under the ACA, including various Medicare Part D reforms, premium savings, preventive services (including the annual wellness visit provided for under the ACA, as well as tobacco cessation counseling, among others), and various program integrity related provisions.

On February 15, 2013, CMS issued Change Request 8153 in which it provided technical guidance on the recovery of AWV overpayments.  A related CMS article on this guidance is available here.

On April 11, 2013, CMS issued a transmittal in which it outlined instructions to Medicare contractors regarding recovery of Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) overpayments that have been made.

On May 16, CMS indicated in a provider newsletter that it had identified an issue with the January 2013 quarterly release affecting payments to Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) for the Annual Wellness Visits (AWV) and Initial Preventive Physical Examinations (IPPE).  CMS specified interim details to remedy the issue.

On December 17, 2013, CMS released statewide data (available here) indicating that, due to the provisions of the ACA, more than 25.4 million Medicare FFS  beneficiaries received at least one or more preventive benefits at no out of pocket cost to them in 2013 (Jan.-Nov.) – slightly above the 2012 figure of 24.7 million individuals. In addition, of this 2013 total, CMS announced that more than 3.5 million individuals utilized the ACA-authorized Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) – compared to 2.76 million individuals last year.

2014

On June 27, 2014, HHS announced that, as a result of the ACA, roughly 76 million individuals with private coverage were able to access expanded preventive services. A copy of the ASPE report on which the HHS press release is based is available here.

2015

On Feb. 24, HHS announced that roughly 39 million people took advantage of free Medicare preventive services in 2014 due to the ACA, with 4.8 million people obtaining an Annual Wellness Exam. State-specific information regarding Part D savings and preventive services use is available here and here respectively.

Announced in Apr. (but actually modified in Jan.), CMS posted a revised provider educational tool titled, “The ABCs of the Annual Wellness Visit (AWV).

On Dec. 22, 2015, CMS issued guidance to Medicare contractors in which it waived the deductible and coinsurance for Advance Care Planning (ACP) when furnished as an optional element of an AWV.

2016 

On Feb. 8, HHS released new data highlighting Medicare beneficiaries’ prescription drug savings since enactment of the ACA, in addition to information indicating that an estimated 39.2 million people took advantage of free preventive services in 2015. On the latter, HHS noted that “[n]early 9 million Medicare beneficiaries (including those enrolled in Medicare Advantage) took advantage of an Annual Wellness Visit in 2015” and that “[l]ooking just at original Medicare, a million more people utilized an Annual Wellness Visit in 2015 than 2014 (more than 5.8 million compared to nearly 4.8 million).” State-specific information regarding Part D savings and preventive services use is available here and here, respectively.

Statutory Text

 
Implementation Status 
Summary 

SEC. 4103. MEDICARE COVERAGE OF ANNUAL WELLNESS VISIT PROVIDING A PERSONALIZED PREVENTION PLAN.

(a) COVERAGE OF PERSONALIZED PREVENTION PLAN SERVICES.— (1) IN GENERAL.—Section 1861(s)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(s)(2)) is amended— (A) in subparagraph (DD), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; (B) in subparagraph (EE), by adding ‘‘and’’ at the end; and (C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: ‘‘(FF) personalized prevention plan services (as defined in subsection (hhh));’’. (2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Clauses (i) and (ii) of section 1861(s)(2)(K) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(s)(2)(K)) are each amended by striking ‘‘subsection (ww)(1)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsections (ww)(1) and (hhh)’’. (b) PERSONALIZED PREVENTION PLAN SERVICES DEFINED.—Section 1861 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: ‘‘Annual Wellness Visit ‘‘(hhh)(1) The term ‘personalized prevention plan services’ means the creation of a plan for an individual— ‘‘(A) that includes a health risk assessment (that meets the guidelines established by the Secretary under paragraph (4)(A)) of the individual that is completed prior to or as part of the same visit with a health professional described in paragraph (3); and ‘‘(B) that— ‘‘(i) takes into account the results of the health risk assessment; and ‘‘(ii) may contain the elements described in paragraph (2). ‘‘(2) Subject to paragraph (4)(H), the elements described in this paragraph are the following: ‘‘(A) The establishment of, or an update to, the individual’s medical and family history. ‘‘(B) A list of current providers and suppliers that are regularly involved in providing medical care to the individual (including a list of all prescribed medications). ‘‘(C) A measurement of height, weight, body mass index (or waist circumference, if appropriate), blood pressure, and other routine measurements. ‘‘(D) Detection of any cognitive impairment. ‘‘(E) The establishment of, or an update to, the following: ‘‘(i) A screening schedule for the next 5 to 10 years, as appropriate, based on recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task Force and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and the individual’s health status, screening history, and age-appropriate preventive services covered under this title. ‘‘(ii) A list of risk factors and conditions for which primary, secondary, or tertiary prevention interventions are recommended or are underway, including any mental health conditions or any such risk factors or conditions that have been identified through an initial preventive physical examination (as described under subsection (ww)(1)), and a list of treatment options and their associated risks and benefits. ‘‘(F) The furnishing of personalized health advice and a referral, as appropriate, to health education or preventive counseling services or programs aimed at reducing identified risk factors and improving self-management, or community-based lifestyle interventions to reduce health risks and promote self management and wellness, including weight loss, physical activity, smoking cessation, fall prevention, and nutrition. ‘‘(G) Any other element determined appropriate by the Secretary. ‘‘(3) A health professional described in this paragraph is ‘‘(A) a physician; ‘‘(B) a practitioner described in clause (i) of section 1842(b)(18)(C); or ‘‘(C) a medical professional (including a health educator, registered dietitian, or nutrition professional) or a team of medical professionals, as determined appropriate by the Secretary, under the supervision of a physician. ‘‘(4)(A) For purposes of paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this subsection, shall establish publicly available guidelines for health risk assessments. Such guidelines shall be developed in consultation with relevant groups and entities and shall provide that a health risk assessment— ‘‘(i) identify chronic diseases, injury risks, modifiable risk factors, and urgent health needs of the individual; and ‘‘(ii) may be furnished— ‘‘(I) through an interactive telephonic or web-based program that meets the standards established under subparagraph (B); ‘‘(II) during an encounter with a health care professional; ‘‘(III) through community-based prevention programs; or ‘‘(IV) through any other means the Secretary determines appropriate to maximize accessibility and ease of use by beneficiaries, while ensuring the privacy of such beneficiaries. ‘‘(B) Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall establish standards for interactive telephonic or web-based programs used to furnish health risk assessments under subparagraph (A)(ii)(I). The Secretary may utilize any health risk assessment developed under section 4004(f) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as part of the requirement to develop a personalized prevention plan to comply with this subparagraph. ‘‘(C)(i) Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall develop and make available to the public a health risk assessment model. Such model shall meet the guidelines under subparagraph (A) and may be used to meet the requirement under paragraph (1)(A). ‘‘(ii) Any health risk assessment that meets the guidelines under subparagraph (A) and is approved by the Secretary may be used to meet the requirement under paragraph (1)(A). ‘‘(D) The Secretary may coordinate with community-based entities (including State Health Insurance Programs, Area Agencies on Aging, Aging and Disability Resource Centers, and the Administration on Aging) to— ‘‘(i) ensure that health risk assessments are accessible to beneficiaries; and ‘‘(ii) provide appropriate support for the completion of health risk assessments by beneficiaries. ‘‘(E) The Secretary shall establish procedures to make beneficiaries and providers aware of the requirement that a beneficiary complete a health risk assessment prior to or at the same time as receiving personalized prevention plan services. ‘‘(F) To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall encourage the use of, integration with, and coordination of health information technology (including use of technology that is compatible with electronic medical records and personal health records) and may experiment with the use of personalized technology to aid in the development of self-management skills and management of and adherence to provider recommendations in order to improve the health status of beneficiaries. ‘‘(G) A beneficiary shall be eligible to receive only an initial preventive physical examination (as defined under subsection (ww)(1)) during the 12-month period after the date that the beneficiary’s coverage begins under part B and shall be eligible to receive personalized prevention plan services under this subsection each year thereafter provided that the beneficiary has not received either an initial preventive physical examination or personalized prevention plan services within the preceding 12-month period. øReplaced by section 10402(b)¿ ‘‘(H) The Secretary shall issue guidance that— ‘‘(i) identifies elements under paragraph (2) that are required to be provided to a beneficiary as part of their first visit for personalized prevention plan services; and ‘‘(ii) establishes a yearly schedule for appropriate provision of such elements thereafter.’’. (c) PAYMENT AND ELIMINATION OF COST-SHARING.— (1) PAYMENT AND ELIMINATION OF COINSURANCE.—Section 1833(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l(a)(1)) is amended— (A) in subparagraph (N), by inserting ‘‘other than personalized prevention plan services (as defined in section 1861(hhh)(1))’’ after ‘‘(as defined in section 1848(j)(3))’’; (B) by striking ‘‘and’’ before ‘‘(W)’’; and (C) by inserting before the semicolon at the end the following: ‘‘, and (X) with respect to personalized prevention plan services (as defined in section 1861(hhh)(1)), the amount paid shall be 100 percent of the lesser of the actual charge for the services or the amount determined under the payment basis determined under section 1848’’. (2) PAYMENT UNDER PHYSICIAN FEE SCHEDULE.—Section 1848(j)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–4(j)(3)) is amended by inserting ‘‘(2)(FF) (including administration of the health risk assessment) ,’’ after ‘‘(2)(EE),’’. (3) ELIMINATION OF COINSURANCE IN OUTPATIENT HOSPITAL SETTINGS.— (A) EXCLUSION FROM OPD FEE SCHEDULE.—Section 1833(t)(1)(B)(iv) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l(t)(1)(B)(iv)) is amended by striking ‘‘and diagnostic mammography’’ and inserting ‘‘, diagnostic mammography, or personalized prevention plan services (as defined in section 1861(hhh)(1))’’. (B) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Section 1833(a)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l(a)(2)) is amended—(i) in subparagraph (F), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; (ii) in subparagraph (G)(ii), by striking the comma at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and (iii) by inserting after subparagraph (G)(ii) the following new subparagraph: ‘‘(H) with respect to personalized prevention plan services (as defined in section 1861(hhh)(1)) furnished by an outpatient department of a hospital, the amount determined under paragraph (1)(X),’’. (4) WAIVER OF APPLICATION OF DEDUCTIBLE.—The first sentence of section 1833(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l(b)) is amended— (A) by striking ‘‘and’’ before ‘‘(9)’’; and (B) by inserting before the period the following: ‘‘, and (10) such deductible shall not apply with respect to personalized prevention plan services (as defined in section 1861(hhh)(1))’’. (d) FREQUENCY LIMITATION.—Section 1862(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395y(a)) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1)— (A) in subparagraph (N), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; (B) in subparagraph (O), by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting ‘‘, and’’; and (C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: ‘‘(P) in the case of personalized prevention plan services (as defined in section 1861(hhh)(1)), which are performed more frequently than is covered under such section;’’; and (2) in paragraph (7), by striking ‘‘or (K)’’ and inserting ‘‘(K), or (P)’’. (e) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section shall apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2011.

Browse ACA Titles

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  • V-Health Care Workforce
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