The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced 2 Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes that allow clinicians to bill for time spent discussing advance care planning (ACP) effective January 1, 2016. As defined by Sudore et al,1 ACP is “a process that supports adults at any age or stage of health in understanding and sharing their personal values, life goals, and preferences regarding future medical care….[with] the goal…that people receive medical care that is consistent with their values, goals and preferences during serious and chronic illness.” Proponents applauded this new policy as a method to incentivize ACP, potentially increasing the uptake of ACP and thereby improving the delivery of medical care that aligns with the patients’ goals, values, and preferences.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced 2 Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes that allow clinicians to bill for time spent discussing advance care planning (ACP) effective January 1, 2016. As defined by Sudore et al,1 ACP is “a process that supports adults at any age or stage of health in understanding and sharing their personal values, life goals, and preferences regarding future medical care….[with] the goal…that people receive medical care that is consistent with their values, goals and preferences during serious and chronic illness.” Proponents applauded this new policy as a method to incentivize ACP, potentially increasing the uptake of ACP and thereby improving the delivery of medical care that aligns with the patients’ goals, values, and preferences.