Medicare Physician Fee Schedule: Beware 2016 Fee Changes That Could Slash Your Pay

Why This Topic Matters

The article helps readers understand why fee schedule updates can change reimbursement patterns across a practice, not just for individual procedures. It is particularly important for groups with significant endoscopy volume or those tracking annual Medicare payment policy changes.

Article Sections

1. Understand Misvalued Code Updates

   Introduces the Medicare policy background behind misvalued code adjustments and describes the broader fee schedule framework affecting payment updates. It also references the professional groups involved in reviewing affected services.

2. Suck Up These Endoscopy Losses

   Focuses on the expected payment impact for gastrointestinal endoscopy services and discusses the specialty-level effects described in the rule. It highlights the area of the fee schedule most relevant to general surgery practices with endoscopy volume.

3. Expect Conversion Factor Reduction

   Explains the Medicare conversion factor update and the other policy components that contribute to the overall yearly payment change. It places the final rule’s fee schedule update in the context of Medicare payment methodology.