Medicare offers chronic care management
AWendi Harper is the benefits counselor for Ark-Tex Council of Governments/Area Agency on Aging. chronic condition is a disease or illness that persists over a long period of time and generally cannot be prevented by vaccine or cured with medication.
Chronic conditions place a patient at significant risk of the disease worsening and can lead to organ failure or death. These conditions can hinder seniors’ independence and keep them from living healthy, active lives. The National Council on Aging reports that approximately 92 percent of older adults have at least one chronic disease, and 77 percent have at least two.
Almost two-thirds of all deaths each year can be attributed to four chronic diseases: heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes. The best way to prevent a chronic condition from getting out of control is through Medicare’s Chronic Care Management (CCM). Medicare defines CCM as the management of coordination for non face-to-face care coordination services furnished to those beneficiaries with two or more chronic conditions. So what does CCM consist of?
At least 20 minutes per month of chronic care management services
Personalized help from a dedicated health care professional who will work with you to create a care plan based on your needs and goals
Care coordinated between your doctor, pharmacy, specialists, testing centers, hospitals, and other services
Phone check-ins between visits to keep you on track
Emergency access to a health care professional, 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Expert help with setting and meeting your health goals
Who is eligible?
All people with Part B are covered. To get started, ask your health care professionals if they provide chronic care management services. What will it cost?
You may pay a monthly fee, and the Part B deductible and coinsurance apply. If you have supplemental insurance, or have both Medicare and Medicaid, it may help cover the monthly fee.
To find out more about Chronic Care Management, you can:
Call 1-800-Medicare
Visit medicare.gov or,
Call the Ark-Tex Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-372-4464 to speak with a benefits counselor.