Medicare fee schedule gives RVUs for telephone codes, SBI codes

Why This Topic Matters

The article helps readers understand which services received valuation in the Medicare fee schedule, which were designated non-covered, and how those decisions may influence private payer pricing and Medicare contractor payment practices.

Article Sections

1. Medicare Physician Fee Schedule 2008 overview

   Introduces the fee schedule context and explains the broader payment environment for the year. It also frames the relationship between Medicare valuation and private payer fee setting.

2. Telephone and online E/M services

   Covers the telephone and online visit services discussed in the fee schedule and the general treatment of their valuation and coverage status. It also notes the role of relative value information and carrier pricing.

3. Substance abuse screening and brief intervention services

   Summarizes the fee schedule discussion for substance abuse screening and brief intervention services and the related CMS payment position. It also references the alternate Medicare carrier coding approach described in the article.

4. Adolescent substance abuse screening context

   Mentions a study about adolescent screening in primary care and places the coding discussion in a pediatric screening context. This section provides clinical context rather than coding instruction.

5. Ocular photoscreening

   Notes the fee schedule treatment of ocular photoscreening and its screening-service context. The discussion is brief and tied to Medicare coverage status.