June 30, 2008
CMS released its proposed new reimbursement rates and payment policies under the Medicare physician fee schedule beginning January 2009. Among the significant issues in the proposal are a 5.4% reduction the physician fee schedule conversion factor for 2009, modified IDTF standards, a multiple procedure payment reduction for certain diagnostic imaging services, a discussion of the new Physician Quality Reporting Initiative programs, and several physician self referral and anti-markup changes.
CMS will accept comments on the proposed rule until August 29, 2008, and will respond to those comments in a final rule to be issued by November 1, 2008. The revised policies and payment rates will become effective January 1, 2009.
To read the CMS press release on the proposed rule, click here.
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