Medicare pay for 2009 echo, device monitoring codes broadly lower

Why This Topic Matters

The article helps readers understand which 2009 cardiology services were revalued by Medicare and why payment differed from prior-year billing patterns. It is relevant for practices that bill echo, stress echo, and device interrogation or programming services and need to track CMS fee schedule changes.

Article Sections

1. Echocardiography payment updates

   Discusses 2009 Medicare payment changes for echocardiography services and the CMS valuation issues tied to the new bundled CPT codes. It also notes practice expense input considerations and related public comment topics.

2. Remote telemetry and device evaluation codes

   Summarizes new payment information for remote telemetry and device interrogation/programming services. The section contrasts several pacing, ICD, and implantable monitoring categories and describes CMS review of relative value recommendations.

3. Medicare fees for new 2009 cardio codes

   Presents a fee schedule table for a range of new and revised cardiology codes. The table includes national allowable amounts and separated professional and technical components where applicable.