AMA CPT® Assistant - 2001 Issue 1 (January)
2001 Changes to the RBRVS (January 2001)
January 2001 pages 1-2 2001 Changes to the RBRVS 2001 Conversion Factors: Medicare Payment Schedule $38.2581; Anesthesia $17.2600 Coding Changes The AMA/Specialty Society RVS Update Committee (RUC) submitted to HCFA the work relative value recommendations and direct practice expense recommendations for more than 200 new and revised CPT codes, including new relative values for the following services. Urological Procedures -Several new urology codes were adopted by CPT for 2001. The RUC's recommendations were accepted and implemented for all of these services, including: laparoscopic radical nephrectomy, laparoscopic ureterneocystotomy, endoscopic urinary procedures, partial orchiectomy, and cryosurgical ablation of the...
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Article Overview
This article summarizes key 2001 updates affecting the Medicare physician payment system under the RBRVS. It is useful for coders, billers, and physician practices that follow CPT valuation changes, practice expense revisions, professional liability insurance values, and geographic practice cost index updates. The discussion also covers broader review activities and implementation timing for selected categories of services.
Why This Topic Matters
These updates can affect payment, valuation, and resource-based inputs used in physician reimbursement. Understanding the scope of the changes helps coding and reimbursement staff track annual policy updates and anticipate where revisions may affect practice operations.
Article Sections
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January 2001 pages 1-2
Introduces the article and frames the January 2001 update period for the RBRVS discussion.
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Coding Changes
Summarizes broad categories of CPT-related valuation updates and implementation activity across multiple service areas.
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Five-Year Review of the RBRVS
Covers the periodic review process for potentially misvalued services and the timing of expected follow-up rulemaking.
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Practice Expense Relative Values
Describes updates to practice expense methodologies, data sources, and related advisory committee activity for the payment schedule.
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Professional Liability Insurance (PLI) Relative Values
Addresses the data basis used for liability insurance-related relative values and the expected effect on the 2001 values.
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Geographic Practice Cost Index (GPCIs)
Summarizes the updated geographic cost indices for the 2001 to 2003 period and the transition toward later revisions.
What You Will Learn
- How the 2001 RBRVS update was organized across major payment components
- Which broad service categories were affected by coding and valuation changes
- How the five-year review process fit into the 2001 RBRVS update cycle
- What sources and categories informed practice expense updates
- How liability insurance and geographic adjustment factors were addressed in the update
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Practice managers
- Physician reimbursement professionals
- Compliance staff
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