This month, The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposal to cover provider/patient time for conversations about end-of-life care. The commenting period for Medicare’s proposal to cover end-of-life care counseling began on July 15.
We need the public to show strong support for this proposal, and share positive comments about why these conversations are so important. To be assured consideration, be sure to submit your comments before 5 p.m. on September 8, 2015.
Here are the ways you can contribute your comments:
1. Electronically: Starting on July 15, you may submit comments on this regulation by Revisions to Payment Policies under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Revisions to Part B for CY 2016
And clicking on the green button on the right-hand side which reads “Submit a Formal Comment”
A form will drop down for you to complete and submit.
2. Snail Mail: Written comments can be sent to the following address:
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Department of Health and Human Services
CMS-1612-P 2
Attention: CMS-1631-P,
P.O. Box 8013,
Baltimore, MD 21244-8013.
Please allow sufficient time for mailed comments to be received before the close of the comment period.
Consider personalizing your comments with anecdotes and stories about a good death or a hard death that you witnessed, either because your loved one had had the conversation with their doctor, or because your provider didn’t know the patients end-of-life care plan. Personal stories are often strong motivators and can help push this proposed plan into a formalized action.