Expect fights over pay update fix, quality reporting woes, NPI hassles

Why This Topic Matters

The topics covered could affect how physician practices are paid, how they report quality data, how they handle provider identifiers on claims, and how they plan for health information technology investments. Readers who follow Medicare policy or practice operations will want to know which changes may be coming and what kinds of administrative pressures they may create.

Article Sections

1. Medicare payment reform outlook

   This section discusses expected congressional and advisory-board activity related to physician payment updates and broader Medicare financing discussions.

2. National Provider Identifier implementation

   This section covers timing concerns and administrative issues around provider identifier use in claims and data sharing.

3. Quality reporting and measure development

   This section looks at anticipated growth in quality measures, reporting program questions, and related CMS and specialty-society activity.

4. Electronic medical records and health IT incentives

   This section addresses possible federal incentives for practices adopting electronic medical records and other information technology.

5. Medically Unlikely Edits

   This section briefly notes expected implementation of claims edits and general administrative handling considerations.