February 15, 2012 - Revised: 02.09.21
February is American Heart Month
Cardiovascular disease – including heart disease and stroke – is among the leading cause of death in the United States. The good news is that many risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as hypertension, high cholesterol, and smoking can be prevented and controlled. To help, Medicare provides payment for the following Preventive benefits:
- Initial Preventive Physical Exam (also known as the "Welcome to Medicare" Visit)
- Annual Wellness Visit, including Personalized Prevention Plan Service
- Cardiovascular Screening (total cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins, and triglycerides tests)
- Intensive Behavioral Therapy (IBT) for Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
- Tobacco-Use Cessation Counseling Services
What Can You Do?
- Help seniors and others with Medicare better understand and identify their risk factors for heart disease and stroke.
- Talk with your patients about what they can do to reduce, eliminate, or control their cardiovascular disease risk factors and encourage appropriate use of the Medicare preventive benefits that can help them reach these goals.
- Learn more about and take advantage of information provided by campaigns like American Heart Month and Million Hearts® 2022, a national initiative to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes within five years
For More Information:
- CDC American Heart Month 2021
- National Coverage Determination (NCD) for Intensive Behavioral Therapy for Cardiovascular Disease
- CDC American Heart Month
- Million Hearts® 2022
Thank you for joining with CMS and CGS in promoting the increased awareness of cardiovascular disease, its risk factors, and related preventive benefits covered by Medicare.