February is the perfect month for patients to be screened for cardiovascular risk factors. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends referring adults who are overweight or obese and have additional cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors to intensive behavioral counseling interventions to promote a healthful diet and physical activity.
Medicare will cover patients without apparent signs or symptoms of cardiovascular disease once every five years. Other insurers cover these tests as well; please check with each insurer for coverage and payment guidelines.
Cardiovascular disease screenings include:
80061 – Lipid Panel
- 82465 – Cholesterol, serum, total
- 83718 – lipoprotein, direct measurement, high density cholesterol (HDL cholesterol)
- 84478 – Triglycerides
- 6 – ICD-10
If needed, the physician may refer the patient for annual behavioral therapy to improve cardiovascular disease.
G0446 Behavioral Therapy
- Annual, face-to-face intensive behavioral therapy for cardiovascular disease.
