Fee Schedule: Cardiology dodged a bullet on PE cuts

Why This Topic Matters

Medicare payment and policy changes can affect cardiology reimbursement, imaging workflow, reporting requirements, and practice operations. This article helps readers understand which areas of the 2006 fee schedule may influence their claims and practice planning.

Article Sections

1. Medicare 2006 physician fee schedule overview

   Summarizes the overall Medicare fee schedule update and the broader payment context for physician services in 2006. Discusses the scope of the changes affecting cardiology practices.

2. Physician practice expense RVUs and cardiology impacts

   Explains the practice expense RVU update issue and its effect on cardiology reimbursement. Covers the general categories of cardiology services mentioned in connection with the revised payment approach.

3. Phase in for multiple imaging service payment reduction

   Describes the phased implementation of payment reductions for multiple imaging services performed on the same date. Addresses the imaging modalities and the general family-based policy framework.

4. Extend physician self-referral rule to imaging centers

   Summarizes the planned timing of self-referral policy changes affecting imaging centers. Notes the general compliance and operational implications for physician practices with imaging services.

5. Intro of new voluntary G codes for physicians to use to track quality

   Covers the introduction of voluntary quality-reporting G codes and the concerns raised by practice administrators. Discusses workflow, software, data collection, and payer-processing considerations.

6. CMS tweaks Competitive Acquisition Program (CAP)

   Reviews changes to the Competitive Acquisition Program and related vendor and physician participation issues. Includes general operational updates involving copays, notices, and enrollment timing.

7. Medicare fees for new cardiology codes

   Presents Medicare pricing information for newly added cardiology procedure codes in CPT 2006. Includes the fee table and related payment components referenced by the article.