Remove drug costs from SGR, physician reps tell CMS

Why This Topic Matters

The article highlights areas of Medicare payment and regulatory policy that can affect physician reimbursement, practice operations, and compliance planning for the upcoming fee schedule year.

Article Sections

1. Payment update and physician productivity comments

   Comments from medical organizations on the proposed Medicare physician payment update and related concerns about how physician productivity is being measured.

2. Avoid work RVU budget adjustor

   Discussion of comments on budget neutrality and the proposed work RVU adjustor in the physician fee schedule.

3. ‘Imaging’ needs defining

   Requests for clarification of imaging policy and concerns about which procedures may be included under Medicare’s imaging reduction approach.

4. Views vary on reassignment, ‘pod labs’

   Differing stakeholder views on reassignment rule changes, diagnostic testing facility requirements, and related fraud and abuse concerns.

5. Health IT help sought

   Calls for assistance with the cost of adopting health information technology and electronic medical record systems.