CMS plans tougher critical care rules along with new split/shared policy

Why This Topic Matters

Critical care policy affects whether and how services can be reported, especially when multiple clinicians are involved or when care overlaps with other E/M or surgical services. The article helps coding and billing professionals understand CMS’s proposed shift and its operational impact.

Article Sections

1. Proposed critical care policy changes

   Introduces the CMS proposal and frames the broader Medicare physician fee schedule context for critical care and split/shared services.

2. Split/shared critical care framework

   Summarizes the proposed approach for shared critical care reporting and the types of activities CMS says would be considered.

3. Concurrent care and same-day service restrictions

   Covers CMS’s proposed clarification of concurrent care and its limits on reporting other E/M services on the same date.

4. Global period and add-on timing updates

   Describes proposed changes affecting critical care during global surgical periods and the timing needed for add-on reporting under the new policy.