Medicare seeks end to consults in 2010 proposed fee schedule

Why This Topic Matters

The proposal could change how many practices report and are paid for physician evaluation services, especially in specialties that commonly use consultation billing. Understanding the scope of the change helps practices assess operational, documentation, and reimbursement impacts.

Article Sections

1. Proposed Medicare policy change

   Introduces the Medicare proposal affecting consultation services and the general direction of the policy change. Summarizes who may be affected and why the issue is important to practices.

2. CMS payment and reporting alternatives

   Describes the alternative evaluation and management service categories CMS proposes for reporting affected services. Also discusses the proposed redistribution of payment resources across service types.

3. Office consult impact and patient status issues

   Explains how the proposal may affect office-based practice workflows and patient classification concerns. Addresses how specialty practices may need to think about revisit scenarios and related reporting distinctions.

4. Documentation challenges in the hospital

   Reviews the facility-side implications of the proposal and the documentation expectations tied to inpatient services. Highlights the need for physician education and the broader effect on hospital reporting.

5. A re-allocation of resources

   Discusses the payment policy context behind the proposal and its relationship to Medicare resource allocation. Summarizes the article's background on how the issue fits into broader E/M payment changes.

6. Without consultation codes, here's what your fees might look like

   Provides a comparative fee schedule presentation showing the consultation and replacement service categories discussed in the article. The section supports readers who want to see the scope of the proposed transition at a glance.