2006 PHYSICIAN FEE SCHEDULE: Vacuum wound therapy payable

Why This Topic Matters

The article highlights fee schedule and coding updates that can affect whether services are separately payable, how they are valued, and how claims may be affected under Medicare. It is useful for understanding policy changes that influence physician reimbursement and billing workflows.

Article Sections

1. Medicare 2006 physician fee schedule overview

   Summarizes broad physician fee schedule changes for 2006, including payment updates and effects on different surgical specialties. It provides context for the Medicare policy changes discussed later in the article.

2. Vacuum wound therapy becomes payable

   Discusses Medicare payment status for vacuum wound therapy and the related CPT changes and RVU assignment process. It also notes documentation and post-operative billing considerations at a high level.

3. Moderate sedation carrier-priced

   Covers the 2006 revision of moderate sedation coding and Medicare pricing approach. The section focuses on the CPT update and carrier pricing framework.

4. Multiple procedure guidelines to apply to TC of some diagnostic imaging services

   Describes multiple procedure payment reductions for certain diagnostic imaging services and how those adjustments apply to technical component claims. It also notes the broader structure of imaging families under the policy.