Reimbursement for Shared Medical Appointments Incorporating Diabetes Self-Management Education/Training or Diabetes Medical Nutrition Therapy

Abstract

In Brief What patients with diabetes want and need for the successful management of their disease is exactly what shared medical appointments (SMAs) can provide. Topping the list are increased access to care, quality time with the physician, an active role in medical and lifestyle decision-making, their unique needs individually addressed in a timely manner, and encouragement and support from other people with diabetes. For health care professionals, SMAs are a cost-effective way to provide both diabetes medical management and self-care education in the same visit in a manner consistent with highly interactive patient-centered care. This article offers an overview of Medicare and private insurance reimbursement for SMAs.