decisionhealth Newsletters, Part B News - 2009 Issue 12 (December)
AMA: New consult billing policy is too confusing, delay it until 2011
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Article Overview
This article discusses a pending Medicare billing policy change affecting consultation services and the response from the AMA, CMS, and specialty societies. It is relevant to physicians, coders, billing staff, compliance teams, and specialty organizations trying to prepare for the transition and understand the timing, implementation concerns, and related guidance expected from CMS. The article focuses on the policy context, stakeholder reactions, and the general challenge of moving from consultation billing to other evaluation and management visit coding approaches.
Why This Topic Matters
It helps readers track a significant Medicare payment policy change and understand why provider groups are seeking more time and additional CMS guidance before implementation.
Article Sections
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CMS consult billing policy timing and response from physician groups
Covers the upcoming Medicare consultation billing change, the AMA’s request for a delay, and CMS’s stated position on the effective date. It also notes broader concern from specialty organizations about the transition.
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Stakeholder concerns and implementation questions
Discusses the types of operational and billing concerns being raised by specialty societies, including requests for additional questions and scenarios to be addressed by CMS. The section focuses on preparation issues and member education efforts.
What You Will Learn
- The article’s focus on a Medicare consultation billing policy change
- Why physician organizations are asking CMS to delay implementation
- What kinds of implementation concerns specialty societies are raising
- How CMS and provider groups are preparing for the transition
Who Should Read This
- Physician coders
- Billing staff
- Compliance professionals
- Practice managers
- Specialty society leaders
- Physicians
- Revenue cycle teams
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
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