On November 13, 2014, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule, including a new code and guidance for billing for chronic care management services (CCM), effective January 1, 2015.

The final rule sets forth criteria for submitting claims to Medicare for CCM services and establishes a base reimbursement rate of $42.60 for such services.

While some questions remain unanswered, Medicare reimbursement for CCM services should greatly benefit the growing population of elderly patients with multiple comorbidities, many of whom depend on proactive care management, including remote monitoring, to avoid medical complications, hospitalization and unnecessary readmissions.