Comment on CMS-2026-2377-0002

As a registered nurse, certified diabetes care and education specialist, and nurse coach, I am in strong support of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) proposal to establish national payment for individual and group health and well-being coaching services under CPT codes 0591T, 0592T, and 0593T. Nurse Coaches can help bridge the gap between what patients are advised to do and what they are realistically able to implement in their daily lives. They work with patients to identify meaningful goals, address barriers, build confidence and self-management skills, and develop sustainable strategies for improving health and managing chronic conditions. This approach is consistent with the broader movement toward person-centered care and value-based healthcare. Rather than relying solely on episodic interactions within the healthcare system, health coaching provides patients with ongoing support between visits and helps them translate clinical recommendations into achievable actions. Recognizing qualified Nurse Coaches within the reimbursement framework would also make better use of the existing healthcare workforce and expand access to professional support without requiring every aspect of chronic disease management to occur within a traditional physician visit. Health coaching offers a practical and evidence-informed approach to addressing healthcare gaps. By providing individualized education, goal-setting, accountability, behavioral support, and ongoing encouragement, health coaches help patients take an active role in managing their health. This support is particularly valuable for Medicare beneficiaries, many of whom are managing multiple chronic conditions and complex care needs.