The National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) has taken a major step forward in advocating for the inclusion of Health and Wellness Coaching (HWC) services under Medicare Part B. As the health coaching profession continues to grow and demonstrate measurable impact on chronic disease management and lifestyle-related health conditions, this development marks a significant milestone in the broader integration of board-certified health coaches into the healthcare system.
Special recognition is due to Margaret Moore, MBA—also known as Coach Meg—co-founder of NBHWC, Wellcoaches Corporation, and the Institute of Coaching. Her tireless advocacy, leadership, and years of behind-the-scenes policy work have been instrumental in positioning the field of health and wellness coaching for national recognition and future reimbursement.
Advocacy in Action: Meeting with CMS
In June 2025, NBHWC representatives met with a senior policy advisor to Dr. Mehmet Oz, the new Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This strategic meeting allowed NBHWC to present strong clinical, research, and financial evidence demonstrating the value of National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coaches (NBC-HWCs) in improving health outcomes and reducing the cost of chronic disease management.
The discussion emphasized the unique contributions that health coaches make in:
Promoting sustainable behavior change
Supporting whole-person care
Addressing chronic, lifestyle-related, and social risk-driven health conditions
These efforts represent NBHWC’s ongoing commitment to advocate for policies that enhance public access to certified coaching services, advance health coaching certification, and position NBC-HWCs as key allies in the national healthcare system.
CPT Codes, Medicare, and Reimbursement: Where Things Stand
While NBC-HWCs cannot currently bill Medicare directly, CMS regulations do allow services delivered by coaches to be reimbursed under physician supervision using the “incident to” billing structure.
Here’s where things stand:
In 2020, the American Medical Association (AMA) established Category III CPT codes for “Health and Well-Being Coaching” services:
0591T – Individual coaching session
0592T – Group coaching session
0593T – Follow-up coaching session
In 2024, after sustained advocacy by NBHWC and its partners, CMS added these CPT codes to its Medicare Telehealth Services List, allowing coaching services to be delivered remotely under appropriate clinical supervision.
However, formal reimbursement policies for these codes and national coverage determinations are still pending.
What NBHWC Is Recommending to Policymakers
To move the profession closer to full integration and reimbursement under Medicare Part B, NBHWC is recommending the following policy actions:
Expedite the creation of G-codes that mirror the existing CPT codes, providing a reimbursement-ready billing path for coaching services.
Establish fair and separate reimbursement for health and wellness coaching services at the national level.
Clarify that HWC services are eligible for reimbursement under Medicare Part B when delivered “incident to” a physician in both clinical and outpatient settings.
These proposals are aimed at making evidence-based health coaching services more accessible to Medicare beneficiaries, especially those managing chronic conditions that benefit from behavior-change support.
How This Impacts Health Coaches
This shift represents a major milestone for coaches who hold nationally recognized credentials. If CMS moves forward with the recommended reimbursement policies, coaches who meet credentialing standards may be able to participate in Medicare-funded care teams under clinical supervision.
To qualify for potential future reimbursement, a health coach must be credentialed by one of the following organizations:
NBHWC – National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach
NCHEC – Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)
AHNCC – Certified Nurse Coach
These credentials ensure a baseline of training, ethics, and evidence-based practice, and they align with CMS’s standards for clinical and auxiliary healthcare personnel.
Why This Matters for the Future of Health Coaching
If implemented, Medicare reimbursement for health and wellness coaching services will:
Expand access to underserved populations and those with chronic health conditions
Strengthen the role of coaches in multidisciplinary healthcare teams
Support scalable and sustainable health coaching programs through legitimate billing and reimbursement pathways
This would also establish Health Coaching Certification as not only a credential of clinical competence, but also a recognized contributor to public health outcomes in the U.S.
Stay Informed
We will continue to share updates as this important work progresses. The movement toward national recognition of health and wellness coaching is gaining momentum, and NBHWC remains at the forefront of ensuring the profession is held to the highest standards while gaining the support it deserves.