CMS APPROVES
PAYMENT FOR
ADVANCED CARE
PLANNING
After several years of recommendations from the American Medical Association (AMA) and a wide array of stakeholders, CMS has
established separate payment as well as a payment rate for two
advance care planning services provided to Medicare beneficiaries
by physicians and other practitioners. Currently, Medicare provides
coverage for advanced care planning during the “Welcome to Medicare” visit, but not everyone utilizes the benefit during this time.
MEDICAL
STUDENTS VISIT
GLMS GAME DAY
Forty medical students visited a GLMS game watching event at
Saints Pizza Pub on Dec. 2. GLMS provided food for students to
enjoy as they watched the UofL/Michigan State basketball game.
The event was a great way for students to unwind after a day of
testing and a chance for them to learn more about GLMS. Look
for more student events coming in 2016.
By establishing a separate payment for advanced care planning
codes, CMS recognizes the additional time needed to conduct
these important conversations at the most appropriate time for
patients and their families. CMS is also finalizing payment for advanced care planning when it is included as an optional element
of the “Annual Wellness Visit,” without additional cost sharing
liability for the patient.
How can GLMS help you?
Most experts state that advance care planning required multiple
steps and will more than likely require a series of conversations
with their physician. From the first conversation, simply broaching
the topic with the patient, to making a concrete decision, GLMS
has compiled several resources for our member practices. Simply go to the GLMS website under the “Education” tab and look
for “Advanced Care Planning.” We have resources from leading
programs all across the country, including videos, guides and
forms to assist you in helping your patients. If you have any questions, or would like more information, please go to our website at
www.glms.org or contact our Physician Education department at
[email protected]
Photos by Dr. Monalisa Tailor
SUPPLIES OVER SEAS AWARDED GRANT
Supplies Over Seas, the Louisville organization dedicated to giving
donated medical supplies to third world countries, has just been
awarded a Community Connector Grant by the Kentucky Medical
Association.
program the grant will support: “This tested and refurbished equipment will be sent to third-world sites abroad where it is desperately
needed. These impoverished sites have no other possible access to
such expensive technology. It becomes truly life-saving.”
The grant, totaling $3,000, will help establish an SOS program to
test and repair broken medical equipment, including technology
for adult and pediatric intensive care units and operating rooms.
Dr. Tobin has pledged to participate in the design and implementation of the repair project. Congratulations to Supplies Over Seas for
this wonderful award and opportunity.
GLMS Past-President Gordon Tobin, MD, has been a supporter of
Supplies Over Seas since its inception and had this to say about the
GLMS NEWS DECEMBER 2015
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