2020 final fee schedule: Drug device implants get sliced, sacroiliac fusion gets a raise

Why This Topic Matters

The article highlights which services are gaining or losing relative value under the 2020 Medicare fee schedule and summarizes CMS policy changes that affect documentation, reporting, and payment. It helps coding and reimbursement staff understand broad payment impacts and identify the sections most relevant to their workflow.

Article Sections

1. Overview of the 2020 physician fee schedule

   Introduces the overall Medicare fee schedule update and its impact on orthopedic and related services. Summarizes the main policy areas addressed by CMS for the year.

2. Procedure payment changes and revaluations

   Covers several procedure categories that were revalued for 2020, including orthopedic, radiology, and device-related services. Describes the general direction of payment changes and the CMS rationale at a high level.

3. Dry needling and interprofessional consult policy

   Discusses coverage status for new dry needling services and updates affecting interprofessional consultation and record assessment services. Also notes related CMS consent and payment policy changes.

4. Therapy reporting and modifier changes

   Summarizes therapy threshold policy and new reporting requirements tied to therapy assistant involvement. Covers broader Medicare therapy administration updates and compliance implications.

5. Geographic practice cost indices

   Explains the annual update to geographic practice cost adjustment factors and the effect on certain regions. Includes the policy context for work GPCI floors and regional variation.

6. Open Payments reporting expansion

   Describes an upcoming expansion of Open Payments reporting to additional clinician categories. Notes the timing of the reporting change and its administrative impact.