decisionhealth Newsletters, Coder Pink Sheets - 2008 Issue 8 (August)
Medicare fee fix survives Bush veto, puts DMEPOS programs on hold
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Article Overview
This article covers recent Medicare legislative and CMS policy changes affecting physician reimbursement and DMEPOS suppliers. It is relevant to orthopedic and other physician practices, billing staff, and compliance professionals who need to understand how the new law affects Medicare payment updates, competitive bidding, accreditation, and other related program changes. The article also summarizes additional Medicare provisions affecting quality reporting, e-prescribing, imaging accreditation, and Medicare Advantage.
Why This Topic Matters
The article helps practices track federal changes that may affect reimbursement, supplier relationships, accreditation planning, and administrative requirements across multiple Medicare programs.
Article Sections
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Medicare fee update and payment impact
Covers the legislative and CMS context surrounding Medicare physician fee updates and related payment timing. The section explains the broad impact on claims already processed and upcoming fee adjustments.
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Radical shifts for DMEPOS suppliers
Summarizes the temporary change in the DMEPOS competitive bidding program and related supplier-payment conditions. It also notes related CMS messaging about program status and implementation.
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Accreditation update
Discusses changes affecting DMEPOS accreditation authority and how CMS may handle exemptions. The section also references professional society advocacy and prior statutory requirements.
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How you should proceed
Provides practical context about the status of accreditation-related actions and enrollment activity. It focuses on the near-term administrative implications for affected practices.
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Other changes in the law
Outlines additional Medicare-related provisions in the same law that affect reporting, e-prescribing, imaging accreditation, and Medicare Advantage. The section presents these as broader policy updates tied to the legislation.
What You Will Learn
- How the legislation affected Medicare physician payment updates
- How the article characterizes temporary changes to the DMEPOS program
- What accreditation-related policy areas were affected by the law
- Which broader Medicare program areas were also changed by the legislation
- What types of CMS and professional-society resources are referenced
Who Should Read This
- Physician practices
- Orthopedic practices
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Practice managers
- Compliance staff
- DMEPOS suppliers
Modifiers Discussed
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