A patient with Medicare who had a physical 10 months ago calls to schedule another physical. What should the MAA do?

The correct answer involves understanding Medicare's guidelines regarding physical examinations, particularly the routine annual physicals. Medicare generally covers one annual wellness visit per calendar year; therefore, a patient is typically eligible for a physical once every 12 months.

Therefore, in this situation, since the patient had a physical 10 months ago, they need to wait for an additional 2 months before being eligible for another Medicare-covered physical. This ensures that the patient remains compliant with Medicare policies, and the practice avoids potential issues with reimbursement or claims denial.

Other options do not align with Medicare's regulations or the best practices for scheduling. Scheduling the physical within the week would be inappropriate because it doesn't respect the timing for coverage. Recording the appointment as an office visit rather than a physical may misrepresent the nature of the appointment and possibly lead to billing inconsistencies. Lastly, submitting a preauthorization form is unnecessary in this case since Medicare does not require specific authorization for annual wellness visits. Understanding these guidelines is crucial for ensuring accurate billing and maintaining compliance with insurance policies.