Billing Medicare for Preventive Visits
Posted about 14 years ago by Jon Brakefield
Starting in 2005, Medicare covers an Initial Preventive Physical Examination (IPPE), commonly known as the "Welcome to Medicare" Visit (WMV); it is provided as a one-time service to newly enrolled beneficiaries. The IPPE is an introduction to Medicare and covered benefits, with a focus on health promotion and disease detection.
Beginning on January 1, 2011, the Affordable Care Act allows for coverage of critical new benefits for people with Medicare, including the addition of a free Annual Wellness Visit (AWV). This expanded coverage allows physicians to provide Personalized Prevention Plan Services that consider both age-appropriate preventive services available to all Medicare beneficiaries and additional services that may be appropriate to the patient’s individual needs.
For more information on the IPPE and AWV, as well as other Medicare-covered Preventive Services, visit the following Medicare Learning Network ® (MLN) resources:
Quick Reference Information: The ABCs of Providing the Initial Preventive Physical Examination
Quick Reference Information: The ABCs of Providing the Annual Wellness Visit
The Guide to Medicare Preventive Services