New chronic care management (CCM) resources now available

You'll find a variety of tools to help expand the scope of your chronic care management (CCM) services after CMS issued new materials earlier this week.

 

As we reported in the March 20 issue of Part B News, some practices are finding it difficult to get patients to give consent to CCM services, and that resistance means more lost revenue this year with the introduction of two complex CCM codes that require more time but also pay more.

 

However, CMS considers CCM services a key part of patient care today, and the release of the new educational materials is intended to help practices enroll more patients into the program. For instance, CMS released a provider toolkit that addresses common areas of concern -- including how to get your staff on board and, of coure, how to talk to patients to spur their interest.

 

One section of the toolkit focuses on the benefits of CCM. Here's a sample of how you can convey those benefits to your patients:

• "Regular chronic care management, or connected care, means you can better manage your care and spend more time focusing on your health. CCM can help you work towards your health and quality of life goals."
• "Coordinated care means you’ll get personal attention and help."
• "You can feel secure knowing you’ll gain a comprehensive care plan, and at least 20 minutes a month of chronic care help when you need it, and regular check-ins."
• "Someone I work with (or I) will help you keep track of your health care needs, so your loved ones can spend more quality time with you."
• "You don’t always have to come into the office to get help; you can also make a call."