Fee Schedule 2012: CMS revises RVUs for pain services, backs off signed lab requisitions

Why This Topic Matters

The changes covered can affect how services are paid, how quality measures are reported, and how practice and hospital-affiliated billing workflows are managed in 2012. Readers who work with physician reimbursement or Medicare compliance need a current overview of these updates to assess operational impact.

Article Sections

1. 2012 Physician Fee Schedule overview

   Introduces the major payment and policy items addressed in the 2012 fee schedule. Covers general reimbursement changes and the broad areas affected by the final rule.

2. CMS finalizes proposed RVU adjustments

   Summarizes finalized relative value unit updates affecting certain pain and imaging-related services. Also notes the availability of related addenda and references to the fee schedule materials.

3. MPPR not as harsh for advanced imaging interpretation

   Describes the final approach to multiple procedure payment reductions for advanced imaging professional services. Mentions the types of imaging services included and where the detailed list is found.

4. CMS drops signed lab requisition requirement

   Explains the policy shift away from requiring signed lab requisitions. Covers the general compliance concern and CMS’s change in direction.

5. Quality reporting in 2012

   Reviews changes to quality reporting for the coming year, including measure availability and reporting channels. Also notes back pain and anesthesia measure group updates.

6. 3-day window for hospital-run practices

   Addresses a new payment window affecting hospital-owned or operated practices. Covers the broad scope of the rule, the effective date, and excluded practice types.