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2013 fee schedule’s post-discharge care codes could boost payments, shift workflow

11/12/2012

Primary care providers stand to reap the most benefits from new CPT codes for transitional care management (TCM) following a discharge. The codes are featured prominently in the final 2013 Medicare physician fee schedule. Depending on the complexity of your medical decision-making (MDM) and the timeframe of a face-to-face visit, you will receive $121 or $170 for TCM services based on the non-facility rate and the new conversion factor of $25.0008.

Cardiology, ophthalmology, group practices suffer blow from newest MPPR cuts

11/12/2012

by: Lauren C. Williams

Cardiologists, ophthalmologists and group practices will see pay cuts for taking and reading imaging tests thanks to CMS’ latest expansions to the multiple procedure payment reduction (MPPR) in the final 2013 Medicare physician fee schedule.

CMS gives more time to avoid payment cuts, adds 2 new e-Rx exemptions

11/12/2012

by: Karen Long and Laura Evans

You have more time to apply for e-prescribing exemptions to avoid the 1.5% cut to allowable fees for not participating in Medicare’s incentive program (e-Rx). In addition, the agency has added two new hardship exemptions in the final 2013 physician fee schedule to excuse providers from e-prescribing if they achieve meaningful use or plan to.

Physician fee schedule: Payment modifier applies only to large groups in 2015

11/12/2012

by: Ben Penn

The value-based payment modifier won’t kick in until 2017 unless your practice employs 100 or more providers, CMS states in the final 2013 Medicare physician fee schedule. The modifier will adjust all physicians’ payments depending on how they improve care and reduce costs compared with others in their region and specialty.

2013 fee schedule brings new rules for CRNAs, DME, drugs, outpatient therapy

11/12/2012

by: DecisionHealth editorial staff

Here’s a round-up of other items from the final 2013 Medicare physician fee schedule, released Nov. 1, that affect your practice. (Note: Part B News has provided the page numbers and a link so you can read that piece of the rule at http://pbn.decisionhealth.com/Resources/GetFile.ashx?FileId=100775.)

Benchmark of the Week: Part B News' 5-year payment analysis

11/12/2012

by: Lauren C. Williams

Track your payment changes for imaging services and office visits from 2009 through 2012 and your prospective payments for next year based on relative value unit (RVU) changes listed in the final 2013 Medicare physician fee schedule.

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