2011 proposed Medicare fee schedule includes -6% update

Why This Topic Matters

The proposed rule could affect reimbursement, billing workflows, and specialty-level revenue planning for many Medicare providers. It also highlights policy changes that may alter how certain preventive, therapy, dialysis, imaging, and other services are reported and paid.

Article Sections

1. Overall fee schedule impact and specialty payment changes

   Summarizes the proposed Medicare physician fee schedule’s overall effect on payments and discusses projected differences by specialty. It also introduces broader policy changes affecting multiple service categories.

2. Imaging services take biggest hit

   Describes proposed changes affecting imaging-related services and other practice expense adjustments. The section focuses on how CMS is revising payment methodology across selected specialties and services.

3. Primary care bonus

   Covers proposed payment support for primary care providers under the fee schedule. It explains which broad provider groups are implicated by the proposal.

4. Surgery gets a boost

   Summarizes a proposed bonus for certain surgical services in designated areas. The section places this change within the broader physician payment update.

5. 3 details for correctly coding newly covered annual wellness visits

   Outlines proposed Medicare coverage and billing guidance for the new annual wellness visit benefit. It addresses the service’s general structure, documentation expectations, and relationship to existing preventive visit policies.

6. 6 code-specific coverage and/or fee changes to hit your radar

   Reviews several additional proposed coverage and payment changes affecting specific service categories. Topics include screening services, diabetes education, dialysis, pulmonary rehabilitation, and canalith therapy.