2006 Medicare fees: Anesthesiologists can expect 5% cut in 2006

Why This Topic Matters

Medicare fee schedule updates can affect reimbursement expectations, documentation workflows, and practice planning for anesthesia and pain-management groups. This article helps readers understand which policy areas changed for 2006 and which services were specifically highlighted by CMS.

Article Sections

1. Medicare fee schedule update for 2006

   Overview of the 2006 Medicare physician fee schedule change for anesthesiology and related specialties. Summarizes the effective date and the general payment update context.

2. Practice expense and equipment database changes

   Discussion of CMS decisions about practice expense items associated with pain-management services. Covers the broader policy issue addressed for programmers and neurostimulators.

3. Teaching anesthesiology payment rule

   Summary of CMS’s handling of teaching anesthesiology payment policy for the year. Notes the broader issue of how teaching-related rules were being reviewed.

4. 2006 Medicare fees for new anesthesia and pain codes

   Table of selected 2006 Medicare payment information for anesthesia and pain-related procedures. Presents the article’s fee schedule focus in one place.