Fee Schedule: Fees increase, but CMS puts off revising teaching rule

Why This Topic Matters

Medicare fee schedule updates can change reimbursement, billing workflow, and documentation requirements across multiple specialties. This article helps readers understand which areas of care are affected and what kinds of CMS changes were being discussed for the 2005 payment year.

Article Sections

1. Fee schedule payment updates

   Overview of Medicare payment changes for the 2005 fee schedule, including anesthesia and pain-related reimbursement updates. Also introduces selected service categories affected by the rule.

2. Teaching anesthesiology payment rules

   Discussion of CMS consideration of changes related to teaching settings and physician involvement. Covers the status of the issue for the coming payment year.

3. New injection and infusion G-codes

   Explanation of new HCPCS reporting changes for infusion and injection services and their relationship to older CPT code reporting. Includes a crosswalk table for Medicare billing purposes.

4. Physician scarcity areas

   Summary of bonus payment eligibility for services furnished in designated shortage areas and the related administrative reporting process. Also addresses interaction with other Medicare bonus programs.

5. Drug pricing change

   Coverage of Medicare drug and biological payment methodology updates for items furnished incident to a physician service. Notes a separate approach for certain infusion drugs supplied through durable medical equipment.

6. Low osmolar contrast media

   Brief discussion of CMS payment policy changes for contrast media, including timing and setting-related payment treatment. Describes the general policy directions adopted for 2005.

7. New reassignment rules

   Overview of updated Medicare reassignment policy for contracted physicians and practices. Addresses the general administrative and liability framework.

8. Crosswalk of CPT injection codes to new HCPCS G-codes for 2005

   Table comparing older injection and infusion reporting codes with the new HCPCS G-code structure for 2005. Shows the reporting transition and payment comparison format.