Part B Payment: Final 2014 Fee Schedule Slashes Not as Steep as Proposed

Why This Topic Matters

Changes in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule can affect reimbursement, practice revenue, and planning across multiple specialties. The article helps readers understand the scope of the final rule, where payment pressure is expected, and what new chronic care management policy direction CMS was describing for future implementation.

Article Sections

1. Final 2014 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule overview

   Summarizes the final rule and its overall impact on Medicare payment for the year. Includes the broader policy context and the significance of the update for physician practices.

2. Other specialties could face steeper cuts

   Describes how the finalized fee schedule affects certain specialties and service categories differently. Also notes that some specific procedures were identified as seeing major payment reductions.

3. Look ahead to 2015 for chronic care bonuses

   Introduces upcoming Medicare chronic care management policy discussed in the final rule. Covers the general direction of new services, related payment concepts, and coordination with other care management services.