Part B Payment: Halloween Final Fee Schedule Announcement Leaves Some Practices Spooked

Why This Topic Matters

The final rule affects Medicare reimbursement and coverage policies that can change how practices plan documentation, reporting, and billing workflows for the year ahead. It is especially relevant for organizations monitoring CMS updates that may affect payment rates and eligible services.

Article Sections

1. Fee Schedule Overview and Payment Changes

   A summary of the overall CMS final rule and the broad payment landscape it creates for Medicare services. This section discusses the types of fee schedule changes addressed in the article.

2. Chronic Care Management Payment

   Discussion of CMS’s finalized approach to chronic care management under the 2015 fee schedule. The section addresses the broader policy and operational context surrounding this service.

3. Global Period Phase-Out

   An overview of CMS’s planned transition away from certain global surgical payment periods. The section covers the timeline and broader implications of the policy change.

4. Mammography Rule Updates

   Coverage and reporting updates related to mammography services under the final rule. The section covers the treatment of digital and tomosynthesis-related mammography changes.

5. Telehealth Payment Additions

   A summary of services added to the telehealth benefit and the general requirements for interactive telecommunications. The section focuses on the categories of services affected by the update.