The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will now cover human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing for Medicare beneficiaries
In 2008, Congress passed the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act, which gave CMS more flexibility regarding paid-for preventive services. Before that time, preventive services could only be covered by an act of Congress. The new law allows CMS experts to decide what preventive services are most needed by Medicare beneficiaries.
It’s been estimated that roughly 11% of all new HIV cases come from adults older than 50. This group of people is not traditionally thought of as at high risk of HIV; however, epidemiological data indicate that this move by CMS is well timed.
For more information, visit http://www.hhs.gov.