SGR could cause 21.5% cut to fees; ortho may get small RVU boost

Why This Topic Matters

The article is relevant to physicians, practice administrators, and coding/billing professionals who track Medicare payment policy, RVU changes, and specialty-specific reimbursement impacts. It helps readers understand the broad direction of proposed fee schedule changes and where CMS is seeking feedback.

Article Sections

1. Projected Medicare physician fee schedule update

   This section summarizes the proposed annual Medicare payment update and the policy context behind it. It frames the article’s focus on physician reimbursement changes for the coming year.

2. Specialty and procedure payment impacts

   This section discusses projected effects on orthopedic services and selected high-volume surgical procedures. It also addresses how CMS estimates may affect relative value calculations for certain specialties.

3. Imaging payment proposals

   This section covers proposed changes affecting imaging services and practice expense assumptions. It also notes CMS’s discussion of equipment utilization and redistribution of payment effects across services.

4. Accreditation and comment period

   This section outlines CMS’s proposal related to accreditation for advanced imaging service providers and the opportunity for public comment. It includes the general timeline for feedback on the proposed rule.