On July 13, 2010, Medicare posted the CY2011 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule in the Federal Register. This publication addresses proposed changes to payment policies and addresses/discusses provisions in the Affordable Care Act and MIPPA. It also discusses payments under various other fee schedules (Ambulance, Lab, ESRD, Part B drugs). Other highlights include:
- Coverage of Annual Wellness Visits for Medicare Beneficiaries
- Incentive payments for primary care services beginning January 1, 2011
- Other Incentive payment programs
- Improvements to the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRI) – authorizes incentive payments through 2014 and requires penalties beginning in 2015 for professionals that do not submit quality data
- Changes in payment calculation for dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) services
- Exceptions to the levels of physician supervision required for diagnostic tests to include Certified Nurse Midwives who furnish diagnostic tests that fall within their state scope of practice
- Review of misvalued codes
To view the entire proposed rule, go to: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-15900.pdf
