Medicare Will Pay for Obesity Counseling

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) announced late Tuesday that it will pay for obesity screening and intensive behavioral counseling.

CMS, which first floated the obesity coverage plan last September, said it expects more than 30% of the Medicare population to qualify for the new benefit.

Beneficiaries with body mass index values of 30 or more can receive weekly in-person intensive behavioral therapy visits for one month, followed by visits every two weeks for an additional five months, fully paid by Medicare with no copayment.

Additional monthly sessions will be covered for up to six months afterward if the beneficiary has lost at least 6.6 pounds (3 kg) during the first six months.

The sessions should also include dietary counseling, the agency said.

Read the full story at: http://www.medpagetoday.com/PublicHealthPolicy/Medicare/29940

Source: MedPage Today