CMS Proposes NEW Additional Preventive Services for Screening for Alcohol Misuse and Depression and Conditions of Participation for Community Mental Health Centers

Alcohol Misuse Screening and Depression Screening

On July 19th, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed to add alcohol screening and behavioral counseling, and screening for depression, to the comprehensive package of preventive services now covered by Medicare.  These proposed national coverage determinations (NCDs) are issued under authority granted by the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA), which allows CMS to add coverage of new preventive benefits that are recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and are appropriate for Medicare beneficiaries.

(more…)