Proposed 2018 Medicare physician fee schedule: CMS considers E/M documentation guideline overhaul, deletion of history, exam

Why This Topic Matters

The proposal could affect how providers document E/M services, how new services are introduced into coding systems, and how Medicare payment and reporting policies evolve. It is especially relevant for practices that code office visits, anesthesia, radiology, medicine services, outpatient hospital services, and imaging orders.

Article Sections

1. CMS proposal to revise E/M documentation guidelines

   Discusses CMS’s interest in updating evaluation and management documentation expectations and the broader policy context behind the proposal.

2. Other notable provisions in the proposed fee schedule

   Summarizes additional payment and policy items included in the proposed rule, including conversion factor updates, new services, outpatient department payment changes, code valuation review topics, and imaging-related implementation timing.