Year 2005 conversion factor set at $37.8975

Why This Topic Matters

The article brings together the main 2005 Medicare payment and policy updates that can affect claim reporting, reimbursement, and practice operations. It helps readers orient themselves to the year’s broader regulatory changes before working through the underlying fee schedule details.

Article Sections

1. 2005 RBRVS conversion factor and related Medicare updates

   Overview of the annual fee schedule update and other broad Medicare payment environment items for 2005. Includes general policy context, growth factors, geographic adjustments, deductible changes, and spending projections.

2. New Payment Policies

   Summary of newly covered or revised payment policies for selected preventive, screening, and site-based services. Also addresses certain operational and modifier-related reporting topics.

3. Fee Increases

   Highlights of selected payment increases for specific covered services and facility-related items. Focuses on changes in reimbursement amounts and related program updates.

4. Miscellaneous

   Additional 2005 Medicare policy changes affecting selected services, valuation methods, and coverage-related topics. Includes broader updates relevant to specialty billing and fee schedule administration.

5. Impact of RVU changes in 2005

   Specialty-by-specialty summary table showing estimated effects of relative value unit changes on allowed charges and fee schedule impact.