Department of Health and Human Services’ Memo for Intensive Behavioral Therapy for Obesity

November 29, 2011 The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will cover obesity screening and intensive behavioral counseling in provided in primary care settings for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries. The coverage is available for beneficiaries with a body mass index of 30 or greater. The new benefits will include face-to-face behavioral counseling every week for a month, then one counseling appointment every other week for the following five months. After six months, beneficiaries who have lost at least six pounds may continue to receive face-to-face counseling sessions every month for the next six months . . .