Medicare Pays for Some Family Caregiver Education

Did you know that Medicare will pay for certain types of family caregiver education when it’s provided as part of a patient’s medically-necessary face-to-face visit? It’s true; although your loved one’s physician may not be aware of it.

A physician may be able to bill for family caregiver education as part of the counseling and coordination of care services provided during a patient visit, as long as the caregiver education directly involves the patient and is medically necessary. This education can take place in a doctor’s office or other outpatient facility, a patient’s home or private residence, or an assisted living facility or other domicile.

Medicare’s new publication, “Tip Sheet for Providers: Caregiving Education” can be found at:

www.cms.hhs.gov/Partnerships/downloads/ProviderBillingforCaregiverEducation.pdf.

Download a copy for yourself and be sure to share the information with your loved one’s physician.