decisionhealth Newsletters, Answer Books - 2009 Issue 3 (March)
One-Time_Notification_Manual / Change Request 6349
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Article Overview
This article is a CMS Change Request and accompanying informational attachment covering the 2009 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, telehealth originating site payment, and a wide range of Medicare Part B policy updates. It is relevant to coders, billing staff, compliance teams, and provider organizations that follow CMS payment and reporting changes. The content touches on physician fee schedule updates, telehealth, PQRI and e-prescribing, enrollment and supplier requirements, HPSA bonus payment, ESRD-related policy, ambulance signatures, preventive services, and other Medicare program revisions.
Why This Topic Matters
The transmittal consolidates several Medicare policy updates that affect reimbursement, reporting, and operational compliance for 2009 and beyond. Organizations that bill Medicare or manage provider reimbursement workflows need this type of guidance to stay aligned with CMS payment policy changes and related administrative requirements.
Article Sections
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General Information
Provides the background, effective dates, and high-level purpose of the change request. It also introduces the telehealth facility fee update and the 2009 physician fee schedule context.
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Business Requirements Table
Lists the operational requirement associated with the telehealth originating site payment update. The table identifies contractor responsibilities tied to implementation.
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Provider Education Table
Describes the planned provider education article and contractor posting responsibilities. It explains how CMS expected the related educational material to be disseminated.
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Supporting Information
Provides a placeholder area for recommendations and other supporting material related to the listed requirements.
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Attachment (Informational Only)
Introduces the informational attachment that summarizes major payment and policy issues discussed in the 2009 physician fee schedule final rule and related Medicare provisions.
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Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Related Issues
Covers broad physician fee schedule topics including practice expense updates, coding revisions, and selected payment policy changes. It also discusses several categories of services affected by the 2009 rulemaking.
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Other Issues
Summarizes additional Medicare policy areas outside the core physician fee schedule discussion. Topics include diagnostic testing facilities, enrollment safeguards, e-prescribing, rehabilitation, telehealth, and other administrative changes.
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Provisions from the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA)
Reviews statutory changes implemented through the 2009 rulemaking process. The section spans preventive services, quality reporting, payment updates, and several coverage and supplier policy areas.
What You Will Learn
- How CMS framed the 2009 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule update and related telehealth payment announcement
- Which broad Medicare policy areas were addressed in the 2009 final rule and attachment
- How the article organizes updates affecting physician payment, reporting programs, enrollment, and supplier administration
- What categories of Medicare program changes were implemented or summarized for 2009
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing and reimbursement staff
- Provider compliance teams
- Practice administrators
- Medicare contractors
- Healthcare organizations participating in Medicare programs
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
Modifiers Discussed
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