Pam, I bolded your answer below. Your facility probably has an "Advanced Directive" form that could be filled out,
if the patient consents to it.
Good luck.
H.R. 6331, the Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act of 2008
Changes to the "Welcome to Medicare" Physical Exam
Since 2005, new Medicare Part B enrollees have been entitled to an Initial Preventive Physical Examination (IPPE) within six months of enrollment. The IPPE includes measurement of the patient's height, weight, blood pressure, review of the medical and social history, the individual's risk factors for depression, functional ability and level of safety with the goal of health promotion and disease detection.
On July 15, 2008, H.R. 6331, the Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 became law. The law extends the time for the IPPE to one year following Part B enrollment. The HCPCS code to use when submitting for IPPE reimbursement for the “once in a lifetime benefit per beneficiary” is G0344.
There is language included in the law that requires physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants to inform patients about end-of-life planning as part of the IPPE. It states that the term “end of life planning” means: 1) verbal or written information regarding an individual's ability to prepare an advance directive in the case that an injury or illness causes the individual to be unable to make health care decisions; and,
2) whether or not the physician is willing to follow the individual's wishes as expressed in an advance directive.
As patients age into Medicare coverage, an opportunity is provided for
physician/patient discussion of future healthcare treatment for a time when patients may not be able to speak for themselves.
More information on H.R. 6331 can be found at:
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/399/hr6331_highlights.pdf
http://www.bcbsaforms.org/downloads/Bill_Summary_-_HR_6331_-_MIPPA_07-09-08.pdf For information on the Welcome to Medicare Physical Examination, go to
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/MPS_QuickReferenceChart_1.pdf
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0711.pdf
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM5235.pdf