PHYSICIANS: PPAC To CMS--Stop The 10-Percent RVU Cut

Why This Topic Matters

The article explains payment-policy changes that can affect physician reimbursement across a wide range of services and highlights CMS initiatives that may influence reporting, comparisons, and claims processing.

Article Sections

1. Proposed RVU and conversion factor changes

   Discusses CMS payment proposals affecting physician fee schedule components and the concerns raised by physician representatives. The section focuses on broad reimbursement policy and its impact on different types of services.

2. PPAC comments on payment policy alternatives

   Summarizes physician advisory council feedback on how CMS might approach the proposed payment changes. The discussion stays at a policy level and addresses competing concerns within the Medicare payment structure.

3. P4P should have extra funding, PPAC says

   Covers physician reaction to potential pay-for-performance initiatives and related CMS efforts to provide utilization and quality comparison data. It also discusses pilot projects and episode-based measurement concepts.

4. Medically unlikely edits

   Briefly notes CMS updates to claim-editing initiatives and the timing of additional edits. The section also mentions appeal rights tied to denials.