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CMS
today released its proposed 2008 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule,
which includes provisions for the revision of payments for physician
services, including imaging. Under the rule, physician payments
would be cut by 9.9 percent on Jan. 1, 2008.
The rule
also proposes adopting the recommendations of the RUC with regard
to more than 50 procedures which were included in last year’s
five-year-review rule. The recommendations include a controversial
decision to bundle CPT code 93325 (doppler echocardiography color
flow velocity mapping) with other echocardiography services. According
to CMS: “We believe that the technology of doppler imaging
has evolved over the past 2 decades to enable color flow velocity
and spectral analysis … to be performed concurrently or in
concert to obtain more accurate interpretation and documentation
of the anatomy and physiologic function of the structure(s) and
organ being evaluated.” The ACC opposes this proposed change
and is working with the American Society of Echocardiography to
take immediate steps to address the issue with CMS.
In addition,
the rule includes CMS’s proposed regulations implementing
the second-year DRA requirements capping Medicare payment for the
technical component of in-office imaging services at the rate paid
under the hospital outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS).
It also extends the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI)
through 2008 and modifies enrollment standards for Independent Diagnostic
Testing Facilities (IDTFs).
The ACC
is currently reviewing the rule and more information will be provided
over the coming weeks regarding specific impacts to imaging and
other cardiovascular services, coding changes, and possible implications
for PQRI. The rule not only contains the proposed 2008 PQRI measures,
but Congress had directed CMS to address possible clinical data
registry participation in PQRI in 2008. For more on the rule, click
here.
Meanwhile,
the release of the proposed 2008 Fee Schedule underscores the need
for all members to contact their senators and representatives as
soon as possible and tell them to stop the scheduled cuts from taking
effect on Jan. 1. Legislation is being drafted now in both the House
and Senate and votes could happen as early as next week! You can
reach your members using the ACC’s toll-free grassroots hotline
(800-210-7193) or by going to www.acc.org/can.
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