New Resource for Chronic Care Management

Did you know that in 2015 Medicare began paying for non-face-to-face Chronic Care Management (CCM) services? CPT code 99490 allows advanced practice nurses and other eligible practitioners to bill for at least 20 minutes of time spent on the phone with patients, completing paperwork on their behalf, or coordinating their care with other health care providers. This year, additional codes were added for more complex and extensive oversight and management.

Two-thirds of Medicare recipients have 2 or more chronic medical conditions and are at risk for acute exacerbation, functional decline, and death. Hypertension leads the list of these conditions, followed by hyperlipidemia, ischemic heart disease, arthritis, heart failure, diabetes, and renal disease.  Consider how many of your patients would benefit from a CCM program, including regular phone follow-up and coordination of care provided in-between office visits.

In order to help healthcare providers take advantage of the new CPT codes and payment models, CMS has developed a toolkit for health professionals called Connected Care – The Chronic Care Management Resource, which includes tips for getting started, fact sheets on the requirements for implementing a CCM program and educational materials for patients.

Information on the Connected Care Program can be accessed here.