Activating Faith Leaders to Support Advance Care Planning Legislation

(VIA CTAC) Advance care planning (ACP) is one way to determine a person’s goals of care long before they become a patient.  However, it is a resource that often goes underutilized. As the Interfaith Action Council at the Coalition to Transform Advanced Care (C-TAC) and active members of the faith community, we know the value of having meaningful conversations and the way they can transform a person’s outlook. Therefore, we are excited that Congress is presented with an opportunity to increase access to advance care planning through bicameral, bipartisan legislation.  

This legislation would: (1) Remove the copay/cost-sharing for Medicare Advance Care Planning (ACP) counseling in all situations;  (2) Include licensed clinical social workers in the definition of eligible practitioners who can bill for Medicare ACP counseling services; (3) Educate providers about the ACP counseling codes and the value of the ACP Counseling, and report back to Congress on those activities; and (4) Direct Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to do a study to evaluate ACP under the Medicare program. Continue on…