Proposed 4.3% cut in Medicare fees for 2006, -4.5% for cardio

Article Overview

This article discusses a proposed Medicare physician fee schedule update for 2006 and the projected effects on physician reimbursement, with emphasis on cardiology. It explains the broader payment update context, the role of the conversion factor and practice expense changes, and why specialty groups were closely watching the proposal. The article is relevant to physicians, cardiology practices, and medical coders who track Medicare payment policy and annual fee schedule changes.