Mammography, care plan oversight changes among 2001 fee schedule highlights

Why This Topic Matters

Fee schedule updates can affect payment, documentation, and code selection across several specialties. This preview helps readers identify the areas of practice that may be affected before the final schedule is issued.

Article Sections

1. Fee schedule overview

   General preview of selected 2001 physician fee schedule changes and the HCFA memorandum that prompted the update.

2. Practice expenses

   Discussion of the transition to resource-based practice expenses and how the change affects broad specialty payment patterns.

3. Critical care

   Overview of revisions affecting critical care payment and related CPT definition updates for the upcoming year.

4. Observation care codes

   Summary of changes affecting observation and discharge-related reporting requirements and payment timing.

5. Care plan oversight

   Discussion of new HCPCS items and changes involving care plan oversight and home health-related services.

6. Other changes previewed

   Brief mention of additional HCPCS and other payment-related updates across several services.