Most GAFs shrink; Alaska only state with work RVU increase

Why This Topic Matters

Local payment adjustments can materially affect Medicare reimbursement by geography and by the mix of services billed. The article helps readers understand which areas saw increases or decreases and how CMS’s updated methodology affects payment variation across localities.

Article Sections

1. Medicare payment and Alaska adjustment

   Overview of the 2009 Medicare fee schedule update and the special treatment affecting Alaska within the geographic payment framework.

2. CMS geographic pricing updates

   Discussion of CMS’s implementation of updated geographic pricing methodology and its effect on local payment formulas across the country.

3. Geographic adjustment factors and locality changes

   Summary of changes in geographic adjustment factors, including the overall pattern of increases and decreases across payment localities.

4. Top 10 GAF increases

   Table of localities with the largest upward changes in geographic adjustment factors for the comparison years shown.

5. Top 10 GAF decreases

   Table of localities with the largest downward changes in geographic adjustment factors for the comparison years shown.