Note from NHCOA: The more informed you and your loved ones are regarding your health, the less likely you are to become a victim of health care fraud. Through the National Hispanic SMP (NHSMP), NHCOA reaches Hispanic older adults, families, and caregivers to protect, detect, and report Medicare fraud in a culturally, linguistically and age appropriate manner.

Just in time for the holidays, and as a compliment to Million Hearts, a joint initiative aiming to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes over the next five years, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced this week that Medicare will add coverage for preventive services to reduce obesity— a condition that affects more than 30% of Medicare beneficiaries.

“Obesity is a challenge faced by Americans of all ages, and prevention is crucial for the management and elimination of obesity in our country,” CMS Administrator Donald M. Berwick, MD said in a statement released November 29.

Obesity is linked to several chronic diseases, including those that impact diverse communities disproportionately such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Therefore, focusing on prevention can not only reduce its prevalence, but help eliminate health iniquities among Medicare patients as well.

Beneficiaries who screen positive for obesity with a body mass index (BMI) over 30 are eligible for one weekly face-to-face counseling session for one month. After that, Medicare covers one face-to-face counseling session every other week for an additional five months. If a weight reduction of at least 6.6 pounds is achieved during the first six months of counseling, then the beneficiary could be eligible for one monthly face-to-face session for another six months.

Remember that this new preventive service is covered by Medicare, which means beneficiaries don’t have to pay a co-pay. Always check your Medicare Monthly Summary Notice to ensure you are being properly billed. If you have questions about how to check your notice or have questions regarding Medicare fraud, call 1-866-488-7379. Calling is free and confidential. Se habla español.

NHCOA is a proud partner of the Administration on Aging in the fight against Medicare fraud. The National Hispanic SMP works to detect, protect, and report Medicare fraud within the Hispanic community. For more information, visit www.nhcoa.org/medicare.