Alcohol Misuse Screening and Counseling – Service Opportunity for Family Physicians

Written by Reed Tinsley | April 18, 2018

About 38 million adults in the United States drink too much. Only one in six adults have talked to a health professional. Alcohol screening and brief counseling has been proven to work and talking to your patient is the first step!

All Medicare beneficiaries are eligible for alcohol screening. Medicare beneficiaries who screen positive are eligible for counseling if both of the following are met:

Competent and alert at the time counseling is provided, and
Counseling is furnished by qualified primary care physician or other primary care practitioners in a primary care setting.

Note: This service can also be provided to non-Medicare patients and billed to their insurance payers.

About the Author

Reed Tinsley CPA

This article is written by Reed Tinsley, a Houston, TX-based CPA with over 30 years of experience advising physicians and medical practices across Texas and the United States. Reed holds certifications as a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA), Certified Healthcare Business Consultant (CHBC), and Certified Financial Planner (CFP), specializing exclusively in the healthcare sector. He is a published author, nationally recognized speaker, and trusted advisor to physicians on accounting & tax, practice management, and financial planning. Schedule a Free Consultation.

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