Society of Behavioral Medicine position statement: Support the updated hypertension guidelines and modify Medicare Part B to improve hypertension management

Abstract

Hypertension contributes to significant global health and economic burdens. The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association's latest guideline lowers the blood pressure threshold for hypertension, and as a result, the number of adults with hypertension has increased. Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity, especially among older adults. Many individuals who are diagnosed with hypertension at the new, lower threshold may benefit from lifestyle counseling, but changes to existing Medicare policies are required to increase utilization of evidence-based lifestyle counseling approaches to hypertension management. We recommend appropriate funding for the reimbursement of evidence-based lifestyle counseling for hypertension management, the expansion of medical nutrition therapy counseling coverage as an option for Medicare beneficiaries with hypertension, the inclusion of home-based blood pressure monitoring devices in the list of Durable Medical Equipment Coverage, and modifications to the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual to prioritize evidence-based programs such as Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, American Heart Association, and plant-predominant dietary programs.

Keywords: Hypertension management; Lifestyle behavior; Lifestyle counseling; Medicare.