Don't restrict who can perform incident-to services, commenters say

Why This Topic Matters

The comments summarized here reflect how CMS policy proposals may affect physician reimbursement, practice operations, and the relative treatment of different service types and specialties under Medicare.

Article Sections

1. Incident-to

   Commenters discuss CMS consideration of possible limits affecting who may furnish incident-to outpatient therapy services. The section reflects differing viewpoints from physicians, therapists, and specialty groups.

2. Medicare Economic Index (MEI)

   This section summarizes concerns about how CMS uses MEI-related changes in the physician fee schedule calculation. It focuses on comments from specialty societies about broader payment methodology.

3. Radiation oncology

   Radiation oncology groups comment on proposed practice expense RVU changes and related payment treatment for selected service codes. The section also notes requests concerning how those services are categorized for payment purposes.

4. Santa Cruz GPCI

   Comments here address geographic payment adjustment treatment for a California county and the effect of rural-versus-nonrural classification on physician payment.

5. Impedance cardiography

   Cardiology practices and professional groups seek reconsideration of RVU values and practice expense treatment for a diagnostic service. The section centers on payment valuation concerns.

6. Tracking codes

   This section covers CMS proposals for national payment rates tied to Category III tracking codes. Commenters raise concerns and arguments about data collection, payment timing, and adoption of new technologies.

7. Audiology and speech-language pathology

   Professional associations comment on RVU and payment reconsideration for services commonly billed by audiologists and speech-language pathologists. The section addresses multiple outpatient therapy and evaluation services.

8. Home visits

   The article includes comments opposing proposed payment cuts for home visit services. It highlights concerns about the impact on physicians providing care in patients’ homes.

9. Immunization administration

   This section addresses comments on proposed practice expense changes for immunization administration services. It notes objections tied to vaccine administration supplies and safety requirements.

10. Practice expense for professional component services

    Commenters discuss whether certain practice expenses should be reflected in professional component payments. The section summarizes support for some CMS changes and criticism of others.