AMA Wire

Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012

For Physicians

Get guidance on preventive care coding, documenting

A new online training module from the AMA can help physicians ensure their patients receive the preventive care they need to lead healthy lives.

The module offers guidance on coding and documenting the preventive services health plans must cover without cost-sharing for the patient, as required under the Affordable Care Act.

A companion to the AMA's pocket guide for preventive services, the module explains how to identify services that are recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, describes when to use CPT® modifier 33 in conjunction with preventive care, and provides examples of clinical scenarios and codes. It takes just 10–15 minutes to complete.

Making sure patients receive recommended preventive services, including vaccines and screenings, can lead to numerous benefits for individual patients and the health care system as a whole. As chronic diseases and other health conditions related to unhealthy lifestyle behaviors continue to rise, preventive services can help reduce the burden of preventable disease, decrease health care costs and help patients lead healthier lives.

Additional resources to help patients make healthy lifestyle choices regarding physical activity, nutrition, and tobacco and alcohol use are available through the AMA's Healthier Life Steps® program.

Advocacy conference to help shape future of health care

Join your colleagues in the nation's capital to advance key issues in medicine during the AMA's annual National Advocacy Conference, Feb. 11–13 at the Grand Hyatt Washington in Washington, D.C.

Participating in the conference empowers physicians to be powerful advocates for their patients and the profession. At the conference, you'll hear from political insiders, industry experts and members of Congress on health system reform refinement and implementation, and take part in discussions that will shape the AMA's advocacy efforts.

This year's featured speaker is Chuck Todd, political director and chief White House correspondent for NBC News and host of the Daily Rundown on MSNBC. The master of ceremonies for the Dr. Nathan Davis Awards will be Terry Moran, co-anchor of ABC News' Nightline.

View a preliminary agenda for the conference.