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April 14, 2022

April 16th is National Healthcare Decisions Day

Did you know?

  • According to The Conversation Project National Survey 2018, 92% of Americans think it is important to discuss end-of-life decisions; however, only 32% have done this (The Conversation Project, n.d.).
  • Only half of Americans 60 years old or older have an advance directive detailing their end-of-life decisions (Benson & Aldrich, 2012).
  • In the United States, 70% of Americans do not have an advanced care plan (Advance Care Planning and Chronic Disease Management | Alzheimer's Disease and Healthy Aging | CDC, 2018).

April 16th is National Healthcare Decision Day. It reminds healthcare providers and patients about the importance of discussing advance care planning and advance directives during annual wellness visits and as needed.

  • Advance directives refer to a set of documents that provide direction about a patient's end-of-life wishes.
    • Examples of advance directives include a living will, a durable power of attorney for health care, an instruction directive, POLST form, and health care proxy.
  • Advance Care Planning (ACP) services provides an opportunity to discuss these advance directives so all involved parties can be on the same page when it comes to the patient's medical preferences and end-of-life wishes if the patient is incapable to make decisions.
  • ACP services can be provided as an optional preventive service during the initial and subsequent Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) if the patient chooses to do so. With proper documentation, it can also be provided outside of the AWV (as a separate Medicare Part B medically necessary service) when the patient's health status changes.
  • End-of-life planning is part of the Initial Preventive Physical Examination (IPPE). This includes talking with the patient or providing written materials to the patient about advance directives.

To learn more about Medicare-covered services, visit CMS Preventive ServicesExternal website

For More Information

References

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