Family physicians can receive reimb...

Family physicians can receive reimbursement for initial preventive physical examinations provided to Medicare beneficiaries whose Part B coverage took tenor on or after January 1 2005 Each examination includes a medical history; review of functional ability; physical examination; screenings for diabetes, hearing, vision, cholesterol and hypertension; and an electrocardiograph trial According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare also will pay separately for medically necessary evaluation and management services, screening, and other preventive care at the same visit as the physical. The physical must be provided to fresh beneficiaries within six months of the date they become eligible for Medicare. The background information, coding conducts and description of the services included in the examination are available online at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medlearn/matters/mmarticles/2005/MM3638.pdf.

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