E/M Coding Alert - 2014 Issue 41
Part B Payment: Final Fee Schedule Confirms Phasing out of Global Periods
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Article Overview
This article reviews major Medicare Part B payment changes in CMS’s 2015 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule. It is useful for practices, coders, and revenue cycle staff who need a high-level view of affected service areas, the policy themes behind the updates, and the broad categories of coding and reimbursement changes discussed in the rule.
Why This Topic Matters
The final rule can affect Medicare reimbursement, service reporting, and operational planning across multiple specialties. It also highlights policy changes that may influence how practices prepare for care management, imaging, telehealth, and surgical billing updates.
Article Sections
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No Negative Conversion Factor—Yet
Discusses the Medicare conversion factor and the broader payment environment for 2015, including anticipated changes affecting multiple specialties.
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Chronic Care Pay Will Offer Extra Reimbursement
Covers new chronic care management payment policy, related reporting considerations, and the operational requirements tied to electronic health record use.
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Don’t Get Attached to Global Periods
Summarizes the planned phaseout of global periods and CMS’s broader interest in alternative payment approaches for surgical services.
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CMS Updates Mammography Rules
Describes changes affecting mammography billing, including the handling of related code categories and updates tied to digital and tomosynthesis-based services.
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Telehealth Payments Could Come Your Way
Reviews telehealth policy updates and the types of services added to the Medicare telehealth benefit, along with the basic communication requirements discussed by CMS.
What You Will Learn
- How CMS’s 2015 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule affects major Part B payment areas
- Which broad service categories received updates in chronic care management, imaging, telehealth, and surgery-related policy
- What operational factors practices needed to consider for implementing the rule
- How CMS framed the transition away from global periods
- Which specialties and practice types were discussed in relation to payment changes
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Revenue cycle managers
- Physician practices
- Compliance staff
- Healthcare administrators
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
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