Brace for a new round of cuts to multiple images, MRI in 2007

Why This Topic Matters

The proposed changes could significantly alter reimbursement for common imaging services and affect planning for physician practices that provide imaging in-office. Understanding the scope of the CMS proposal helps organizations evaluate potential payment impacts and prepare for fee schedule updates.

Article Sections

1. Proposed Medicare imaging payment changes

   Overview of CMS proposals affecting imaging technical components under the physician fee schedule. Discusses the general policy context for the 2007 update.

2. Imaging technical component reductions and payment caps

   Summarizes the broad categories of imaging payment changes and the interaction of multiple-image and outpatient cap policies. Includes discussion of how affected services are identified in the analysis.

3. RVU proposals and broader physician fee schedule adjustments

   Covers proposed changes to work and practice expense RVUs and notes their relationship to the imaging payment discussion. Provides general context on physician fee schedule revisions.

4. 2007 impact of OPPS pay cap on orthopedic imaging services

   Presents a table-based analysis of orthopedic imaging services affected by the outpatient imaging cap. Shows the scope of the services reviewed and the nature of the estimated payment impact.