Proposed 2010 physician fee schedule halts payment on consult codes

Why This Topic Matters

The proposed rule could shift Medicare payment patterns across multiple specialties and service lines, affecting revenue, compliance planning, and comment strategy for practices that bill Medicare. It also signals policy changes that may alter how certain services are reported and reimbursed in future fee schedules.

Article Sections

1. Consultation code payment changes

   This section discusses proposed Medicare changes affecting consultation services and how those changes relate to existing evaluation and management billing.

2. Proposed fee schedule update and specialty impacts

   This section covers the broader physician fee schedule proposal, including cross-specialty payment effects and references to physician practice cost data used in the proposal.

3. Anesthesia teaching rules

   This section addresses proposed policy changes for teaching anesthesiologists and the related Medicare rulemaking context.

4. Imaging services and equipment-related payment changes

   This section explains proposed adjustments affecting services that depend on high-cost imaging equipment and related practice expense calculations.

5. Advanced imaging accreditation requirement

   This section notes a proposed accreditation requirement for suppliers of the technical component of advanced imaging services.

6. Comment period and effective dates

   This section summarizes the rulemaking timeline, comment deadline, final rule timing, and the general effective date for the proposed changes.