6 tips to pave the way for initial Medicare physical exam.
Lesson Learned: The new Medicare law will afford physicians new business opportunities, so they should act now to take advantage of this rare opportunity.
Starting next year, Medicare will offer a new "welcome to Medicare" physical exam for patients joining the program. This means an opportunity for physicians to build their practices and a chance to safeguard their patients' wellness.
Physician practices could reap goodwill and reconnect with patients by reminding them of this new benefit. "It's just a great opportunity for physicians to build their practices," says consultant Jack Valancy in Cleveland Heights, OH.
"There's nothing wrong with advertising," says consultant W. Robert Cooper with W. Robert Cooper Associates in Peoria, IL. "Primary care doctors aren't usually involved in a typical reminder concept," but OB/Gyn physicians are accustomed to reminding patients of pap smears and breast checkups. This could be a chance for other physicians to get better at issuing reminders.
The exam won't be covered for existing beneficiaries, but it will provide a baseline for patients who are joining Medicare next year or in future years. The exam should include measurement of height, weight and blood pressure, electrocardiagram, screening for chronic conditions, counseling on health risks and referrals to other preventive services.
Experts offer the following tips for taking advantage of this service:
If a practice has bulletin boards in its office, it should mention the new benefit. And when it sends out statements to patients, it should plug the exam as well. Even if the patients receiving the statements are the wrong age, they may have friends or relatives who are becoming eligible.