Part B Payment: It's Only February -- And CMS Is Already Changing Its Fee Schedule

Why This Topic Matters

CMS payment-indicator changes can alter reimbursement and claim handling for commonly billed services. Keeping track of these updates helps practices identify affected codes and understand when a fee schedule change or code status update may impact Medicare Part B payment.

Article Sections

1. CMS payment indicator changes

   Overview of the fee schedule update and the types of payment indicators affected. The section frames the article’s Medicare Part B focus and the timing of the CMS notice.

2. Co-surgery and bilateral surgery updates

   Discussion of payment indicator revisions affecting surgery-related services and how CMS categorized the changes. The section addresses multiple procedure payment treatment and related Medicare contractor impact.

3. Multiple surgery and global days revisions

   Coverage of changes to multiple procedure indicators and global period assignments for selected services. The section explains that these updates apply to specific procedure categories within the fee schedule.

4. Discontinued CPT and HCPCS codes

   List of codes CMS stopped paying for on the stated dates of service and processing timeline. The section also identifies the affected vaccine and HCPCS entries in the MLN Matters update.

5. New Botox code makes debut

   Announcement of a newly introduced HCPCS code and its assigned payment status indicator. The section references the related CMS MLN Matters article for the code addition.