September 1, 2021 – Updated May 31, 2022
September is Healthy Aging Month
September is Health Aging Month. It is estimated that there were 49.2 million Americans age 65 and older in 2016.1 It is also predicted that one in every five Americans will be age 65 or older in the 2030.2 As we grow older, our body tends to age as well. This aging process can bring on a multitude of chronic medical issues as a result including diabetes, osteoporosis, arthritis, hearing loss, hypertension, memory loss, and heart disease. However, growing older does not mean growing sicker. Healthy Aging Month reminds us to take care of all the important people in our lives as well as ourselves, so we can all lead healthy and productive lives as we grow older.
Several steps you can take as a health care provider to promote healthy aging include encouraging your patients to schedule annual wellness visits and health screenings, educating patients on the importance of staying active and eating healthy, evaluating your patient' mental well-being during medical visits, assisting patients with management of their chronic medical conditions, and providing resources to your patients for chronic care management.
Medicare Preventative Services
Chronic Care Management Services
Chronic Care Management (CCM) services are a Part B benefit offered to patients with two or more chronic medical conditions that meet patient eligibility requirements. CCM services allow the health care provider to be paid separately while providing care to these beneficiaries.
A chronic medical condition can be defined as:
- Medical condition that lasts 12 months or longer
- Requires ongoing treatment by a physician or other similar health care provider
- Places the affected individual at risk for death, recurring flare-ups, and/or decline in ability to function
- Examples – arthritis, cancer, COPD, diabetes, ischemic heart disease
Chronic Care Management services are proactive approaches to care for the patient with multiple chronic medical conditions. CCM services allow the health care provider and the patient/caregivers to work together in the management of the patient's chronic medical conditions.
For more information on Preventive Services
- CMS Medicare Preventive Services
- Preventive & Screening Services (medicare.gov)
- CMS Preventive Services Provider Resources
- Cognitive Assessment & Care Plan Services | CMS
- MLN Connects® Newsletters:
- Healthy Aging | HHS.gov
- Healthy Aging Month. September is Healthy Aging Month (https://healthyaging.net)
For more information on Chronic Care Management Services
- MLN Booklet Chronic Care Management Services (cms.gov)
- Connected Care Toolkit Chronic Care Management Resources for Health Care Professionals and Communities (cms.gov)
- Chronic Care Management for Providers
References
- Roberts, A., Ogunwole, S., Blakeslee, L., & Rabe, M. (2018). The Population 65 Years and Older in the United States: 2016 American Community Survey Reports
- Vincent, G., & Velkoff, V. (2010). THE NEXT FOUR DECADES The Older Population in the United States: 2010 to 2050 Population Estimates and Projections Current Population Reports