CMS Starts National Coverage Analyses on Intensive Behavioral Therapy for Obesity

CMS has started a national coverage analyses on intensive behavioral therapy for obesity and is considering adding the screening to the list of preventive services covered by Medicare, according to an AAPC release.

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The list of preventive services already covered includes Pap smears, screening pelvic exams, screening mammograms and colorectal cancer tests. The tracking sheet for the obesity NCA does not indicate an age group, but the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has recommended obesity screening and counseling for adults since Dec. 2003 and obesity screening and counseling for children over six years old since Jan. 2010.

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases released the Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults: The Evidence Report in 1998. Revision and review of the guidelines are now occurring.

Public comment on the appropriate frequency of intensive behavioral therapy and those who should provide it is being accepted until April 10. The proposed decision memo due date is Sept. 11.

Read the AAPC report on the NCA analyses of obesity therapy.

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