Proposal to dump consults linked to years of confusion, eased documentation rules

Why This Topic Matters

The proposal could change how consultation-related services are reported and reimbursed under Medicare, affecting workflow, documentation, and billing for hospital, facility, and office-based E/M services.

Article Sections

1. CMS proposal to eliminate consult billing

   Overview of the proposed Medicare policy change and the shift toward reporting other visit types instead of consults. The section frames the long-running confusion between CMS and the physician community.

2. Payment impact and policy background

   Discussion of how the proposal fits into broader Medicare payment updates for 2010. This section summarizes the article’s context about relative payment changes and the history behind the policy debate.

3. Documentation and transfer-of-care issues

   Explanation of how the existing consult documentation burden has changed over time and how transfer-of-care situations are being addressed. The section focuses on the broader administrative issues involved in reporting these services.

4. New modifier to come for hospital visits

   Summary of the proposed new modifier concept for initial hospital care and how it relates to identifying the coordinating physician. The section also notes how other physicians in the setting would report services.

5. Telehealth consults to stay

   Coverage of the proposal to retain certain inpatient telehealth consult services and the related use of new G-codes. The section also notes the status of the proposal and comment period.