GI codes to stay the same, prepare for as much as a one-third increase in some E/Ms

Why This Topic Matters

The article matters because it summarizes proposed Medicare valuation changes that could affect reimbursement for commonly billed GI and E/M services. It also places those changes in the context of broader physician payment policy and related updates to practice expense methodology and ambulatory surgery center payments.

Article Sections

1. GI code review and proposed payment impact

   Introduces the Medicare review affecting gastroenterology-related services and summarizes the expected effect on physician payment valuation. It frames the issue in terms of work RVUs and broader reimbursement changes.

2. Codes reviewed under CMS five-year review

   Lists the GI procedure codes identified in the review and notes the organizations involved in reaffirming the work values. It presents the general review context without detailed coding guidance.

3. E/M codes slated for proposed increases

   Describes the selected evaluation and management codes included in the proposal and discusses the overall direction of the suggested valuation changes. It also references the budget-neutrality framework affecting the proposal.

4. Practice expense and related payment policy context

   Summarizes additional proposed changes affecting practice expense methodology and the broader Medicare payment environment. It also mentions related concerns for ambulatory surgery center reimbursement.

5. Summary table of CMS proposals

   Presents a comparative table of selected office and hospital visit codes with historical, requested, and proposed work RVU values. The table is part of the article’s overview of the CMS proposal.