Winners and losers in proposed fee schedule

Why This Topic Matters

The proposed schedule could shift Medicare payments across specialties and alter reimbursement rules for several commonly billed services. Readers who follow physician payment policy will want to understand the scope of the proposed updates and which types of services may be affected.

Article Sections

1. Overall impact of the proposed year 2000 fee schedule

   Summarizes the expected payment effects across major physician specialties and describes the broad scope of the proposed changes. It also frames the article around Medicare physician services and the transition in payment methodology.

2. Practice expense RVU transition and related payment policy

   Covers the ongoing shift from charge-based to resource-based practice expense methodology and notes related policy adjustments affecting physician reimbursement. This section also discusses the general direction of the proposed payment refinements.

3. Other proposed practice expense-related policies

   Reviews several additional policy proposals tied to practice expense reimbursement, billing arrangements, and service classification. The section includes a mix of facility-setting, diagnostic, anesthesia, and device-related topics.