Report Annual Wellness Visits with New G Codes
December 10th, 2010
Complementary annual wellness visits (AWVs) including personalized prevention plan services (PPPS) are just one of the new perks Medicare patients will be entitled to beginning Jan. 1, 2011, courtesy of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (Affordable Care Act). The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued billing instructions for how these services should be reported to Medicare for reimbursement.
After the first 12 months of coverage, during which time the patient qualifies for an initial preventative physical examination (IPPE), Medicare will pay for an AWV including PPPS. To qualify for coverage, the patient cannot have received an IPPE or AWV within the past 12 months. Medicare coinsurance and Part B deductibles do not apply.
Physicians should report the first AWV including PPPS with HCPCS Level II code G0438 Annual wellness visit; includes a personalized prevention plan of service (PPPS), first visit and subsequent AWVs including PPPS with G0439 Annual wellness visit; includes a personalized prevention plan of service (PPPS); subsequent visit.
G0438 has a relative value unit (RVU) of 2.43, crosswalked from new patient office visit code 99204 and G0439 has an RVU of 1.50, crosswalked from established patient office visit code 99214, according to Coding News.
The first AWV is a one-time allowed Medicare benefit which includes several key elements, such as establishing the patient’s medical and family history, review of systems, etc. (For a complete list of services, and for an explanation of who may perform an IPPE and AWV, refer to CMS Pub. 100-04 Medicare Claims Processing Manual, chapter 12, sections 30.6.1.1 and 100.1.1, and chapter 18, section 140.)
Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management (E/M) services may be reported in addition to the AWV using CPT® codes 99201-99215. Append modifier 25 to the E/M service code.
Tags: ACA, Affordable Care Act, AWV, G0438, G0439, health reform, IPPE