Hepatitis Awareness
Viral hepatitis affects more than 300 million people worldwide and leads to more than 1 million deaths each year. Despite effective vaccines, prevention strategies, and medications, deaths from hepatitis are increasing globally.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization, and other organizations around the world are raising awareness about viral hepatitis, the burdens people with hepatitis face, ongoing work to combat viral hepatitis across the globe, and actions people can take to prevent future transmission.
Vaccines save lives and money.
Medicare covers viral hepatitis immunization and screening services. Patients pay nothing for the following services if you accept assignment:
- Hepatitis B Screening MLN006559 — Medicare Preventive Services
- Hepatitis B Shot & Administration MLN006559 — Medicare Preventive Services
- Hepatitis C Screening MLN006559 — Medicare Preventive Services
- Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Screening & High Intensity Behavioral Counseling (HIBC) to Prevent STIs MLN006559 — Medicare Preventive Services
Most people with chronic hepatitis don't know they're infected. Use these resources to educate your patients why screening is critical.
Providers can help! As a trusted source, your recommendation is the most important factor in increasing the use of preventive and screening services. Palmetto GBA needs your help to ensure that all beneficiaries with Medicare are aware of these covered benefits and that they are encouraged to take advantage of the preventive services for which they may be eligible.
Find specific ICD-10-CM service codes we cover on the CMS ICD-10 webpage or go to Palmetto GBA for more information.
Resources
- CDC About World Hepatitis Day | Viral Hepatitis Awareness | CDC
- CDC Viral Hepatitis | Viral Hepatitis | CDC
- CMS MLN006559 — Medicare Preventive Services
- CMS NCD — Screening for Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection (210.6)
- CMS NCD — Screening for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in Adults (210.13)
- CMS NCD — Screening for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and High-Intensity Behavioral Counseling (HIBC) to Prevent STIs (210.10)