decisionhealth Newsletters, Coder Pink Sheets - 2007 Issue 11 (November)
11% payment cut looms in 2008 unless Congress saves the day
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Article Overview
This article explains the finalized 2008 Medicare physician fee schedule and why it matters to physicians, group practices, and billing staff. It covers the overall payment update, specialty-level payment effects, geographic and budget neutrality adjustments, imaging policy, self-referral and anti-markup changes, therapy and diagnostic facility enrollment updates, e-prescribing timing, IVIG bonus continuation, and PQRI expansion. The piece is relevant to readers tracking Medicare reimbursement policy and operational changes affecting physician billing in 2008.
Why This Topic Matters
The rule affects Medicare reimbursement levels and several practice-compliance areas at once, making it important for surgeons, office-based specialists, and billing professionals who need to anticipate payment changes and policy updates for the new year.
Article Sections
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Overall 2008 Medicare physician fee schedule impact
Summarizes the finalized payment update for 2008 and the general effect on physician fees across major specialties. Also notes the timing of the rule and the overall budget context.
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Examples of affected codes and payment changes
Provides selected examples of services commonly billed by surgeons and office-based physicians that are affected by the 2008 update. The discussion is limited to payment impact examples and does not explain code selection.
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Other key provisions in the rule
Outlines additional policy changes included in the final rule, including geographic adjustment methodology, budget neutrality, imaging payment limits, self-referral updates, therapy provider requirements, IDTF enrollment standards, e-prescribing timing, IVIG bonuses, and PQRI changes.
What You Will Learn
- How the finalized 2008 Medicare physician fee schedule was expected to affect physician reimbursement
- Which broad specialty groups were highlighted as seeing payment changes
- What categories of Medicare policy changes were included in the final rule beyond fee updates
- How the rule addressed geographic adjustments, imaging caps, self-referral, therapy services, diagnostic testing facilities, e-prescribing, IVIG, and quality reporting
Who Should Read This
- Physicians
- Surgeons
- Practice managers
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Revenue cycle professionals
- Compliance staff
Codes Discussed
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