
USPSTF Ruling, Medicare Policy Change Signal Shift In Recognizing Link Between Chronic Disease, Behavioral Health
Two recent policy announcements, one from Medicare and another from the US Preventive Services Task Force, signal a shift toward understanding that America's battle with obesity and diabetes is not only a medical but also a behavioral health problem, and must be treated as such.
Two recent policy announcements, one from Medicare and another from the US Preventive Services Task Force, signal a shift toward understanding that America’s battle with obesity and diabetes is not only a medical but also a behavioral health problem, and must be treated as such.
First, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced last month that it would start paying primary care physicians $42 a month per patient next year to coordinate the care those with chronic diseases that include diabetes, heart disease, and depression. According to the
Then, last week, the
The two policy announcements support the findings of a study published just last week by
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires that all preventive services rated B or higher be covered, and obesity screening and counseling coverage is already included for all but a few grandfathered plans. However, such counseling typically ends a preset number of sessions.
Reimbursing primary care doctors is likely to make bigger difference. Many PCPs often act as care coordinators without compensation, at a financial loss. The inability to be compensated for such coordination tasks is seen as a contributing factor to the shortage of PCPs nationwide, and to overcrowding in practices. Not only is the situation unpleasant for doctors and patients, but it is viewed as a contributor to the spiraling cost of healthcare.
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