The American Heart Association (AHA) has joined 30 other organizations in supporting the Chronic Care Management Improvement Act. The legislation aims to eliminate the 20% cost-sharing requirement for Chronic Care Management (CCM) services under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. The organizations believe this requirement creates a barrier to care, discouraging Medicare beneficiaries from accessing CCM services. By eliminating the cost-sharing requirement, the bill seeks to improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs for millions of beneficiaries with multiple chronic conditions.
The American Heart Association (AHA) has recently shown its support for the Chronic Care Management Improvement Act, along with 30 other organizations. This legislation would eliminate the 20% cost-sharing requirement for Chronic Care Management (CCM) services under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.
In a letter of support addressed to the bill’s sponsors, Representatives Suzan DelBene and Jeff Duncan, the organizations emphasized that the cost-sharing requirement creates a barrier to care. Medicare beneficiaries are not used to paying for care management services, so imposing this requirement may discourage them from accessing CCM. According to the latest data, only 4% of Medicare beneficiaries who are eligible for CCM received these services, which translates to 882,000 beneficiaries out of a potential pool of 22.5 million eligible CCM beneficiaries.
The AHA and other organizations believe that eliminating the cost-sharing requirement would encourage more Medicare beneficiaries to utilize CCM services. CCM is a type of healthcare service designed to help patients with multiple chronic conditions manage their health more effectively. CCM services include regular check-ins with healthcare providers, medication management, and coordination of care among multiple providers.
Under the current Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, CCM services are reimbursed at a rate of around $42 per patient per month. However, beneficiaries are required to pay 20% of this amount out-of-pocket, which can be a significant financial burden for those on fixed incomes or with limited financial resources. Eliminating the cost-sharing requirement would make CCM services more accessible to those who need them most.
The AHA and other organizations are urging Congress to pass the Chronic Care Management Improvement Act as soon as possible. This legislation has the potential to improve the health outcomes of millions of Medicare beneficiaries with multiple chronic conditions, while also reducing healthcare costs in the long run. By investing in care management services, healthcare providers can help patients avoid costly hospitalizations and emergency room visits, resulting in better health outcomes and lower overall healthcare spending.
