How to code the new Welcome to Medicare exam

Why This Topic Matters

Understanding the proposed reporting approach helps practices prepare for Medicare’s new preventive benefit, avoid billing confusion, and plan for scheduling, documentation, and claim submission workflows once the service becomes available.

Article Sections

1. Overview of the new Medicare preventive screening benefit

   Introduces the new Welcome to Medicare exam and places it in the context of Medicare reform and the physician fee schedule proposal. It also notes the intended effective date and the general components of the benefit.

2. Same-day evaluation and management concerns

   Summarizes concerns raised about how other medically necessary office services may be handled when billed on the same day as the preventive screening. It also references policy comparisons discussed by contributors to the article.

3. Scheduling, patient outreach, and workflow planning

   Discusses practical steps practices may use to identify eligible beneficiaries and schedule appointments within the required enrollment window. It includes general administrative suggestions for tracking eligibility.

4. Payment and reimbursement commentary

   Reviews differing opinions on whether the proposed payment level is adequate and places the discussion in the broader context of preventive service reimbursement. It compares the proposal with other physician fee schedule amounts at a high level.