decisionhealth Newsletters, Part B News - 2009 Issue 8 (August)
Primary care for eliminating consults; specialists voice opposition
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Article Overview
This article reviews stakeholder reactions to the proposed 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, with emphasis on the debate over eliminating consultation billing. It summarizes how primary care clinicians, specialists, and professional organizations are responding, and places the proposal alongside other payment policy changes affecting Medicare providers. The piece is relevant to coders, billers, practice managers, and physicians tracking Medicare E/M policy and public comment opportunities.
Why This Topic Matters
The proposed changes could affect how Medicare services are reported and paid, making the topic important for organizations that bill evaluation and management services and monitor federal payment policy. Understanding the range of stakeholder positions helps readers gauge the practical and policy implications of the rule.
Article Sections
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Public comments on the proposed 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
Introduces the CMS rulemaking process and notes the public comment period, document reference, and general scope of feedback being reviewed.
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Primary care support for the consultation billing change
Summarizes why primary care commenters support the proposal and describes the broader payment-policy context discussed in the article.
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Specialist opposition to eliminating consult billing
Describes objections raised by specialist commenters and outlines the types of clinical settings and provider perspectives discussed.
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Other payment policy comments
Notes additional feedback on related Medicare payment issues included in the proposed rule comments.
What You Will Learn
- How providers are responding to a proposed Medicare payment policy change
- Which stakeholder groups are supporting or opposing the proposal
- What other fee schedule issues are being discussed alongside the consult billing change
- How public comments are being submitted during the rulemaking period
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billers and revenue cycle staff
- Physicians and advanced practice providers
- Practice managers
- Health policy readers
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