Activity ID
14678Expires
November 4, 2027Format Type
EnduringCME Credit
0.25Fee
$30CME Provider: American Medical Association
Description of CME Course
In October 2011, CMS began covering annual depression screening for Medicare beneficiaries in the primary care setting when performed by clinical staff who can advise the physician of screening results and who can help facilitate and coordinate referrals for mental health treatment. The billing code used for this service, HCPCS G0444, appeared in the January 2012 Medicare Physicians Fee Schedule update. Confusion about whether the amount of time spent needs to be documented to bill for this service may have arisen from a change to the text descriptor for HCPCS G0444 in a January 2023 Medicare Learning Network (MLN) educational document, as this document included slightly different language. Prior to 2023, the description was consistent in all CMS materials.
To earn full credit for this activity, you must review all accompanying resources, which have been curated to support your learning of the subject matter.
Disclaimers
1. This activity is accredited by the American Medical Association.
2. This activity is free to AMA members.
ABMS Member Board Approvals by Type
ABMS Lifelong Learning CME Activity
Allergy and Immunology
Anesthesiology
Colon and Rectal Surgery
Family Medicine
Medical Genetics and Genomics
Nuclear Medicine
Ophthalmology
Pathology
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Plastic Surgery
Preventive Medicine
Psychiatry and Neurology
Radiology
Thoracic Surgery
Urology
Commercial Support?
NoNOTE: If a Member Board has not deemed this activity for MOC approval as an accredited CME activity, this activity may count toward an ABMS Member Board’s general CME requirement. Please refer directly to your Member Board’s MOC Part II Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment Program Requirements.
Educational Objectives
1. Describe the myth or issue that impacts physicians and their care teams
2. Explain the facts that debunk the myth or issue that impacts physicians and their care teams
3. Explain whether time documentation is required for Medicare depression screenings
Keywords
Medical Coding, Patient Care, Regulatory Agencies, Depressive Disorders, Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
Competencies
Medical Knowledge
CME Credit Type
AMA PRA Category 1 Credit
DOI
10.1001/ama.2025.0002099
