Other developments: Congress extends payment fix, CMS posts 2011 RVUs, and more
Medicare Update for Physician Services, December 2, 2010
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Congress extends physician payment fix through year end
Congress has extended the physician payment "doc" fix through the end of the year. Under current law, the 2.2% update will continue through December 31; a negative payment update will now occur January 1, 2011.
CMS posts 2011 RVU files
CMS has posted the RVU files under the physician fee schedule for calendar year 2011. On its posting page, CMS included the following message:
As you know, Medicare payment rates under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) are set according to statutory criteria. The following CY 2011 MPFS payment rates are reflective of the CY 2011 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule that was put on display at the Office of the Federal Register on November 2, 2010, and are based on current law which provides for a significant reduction in payment rates for CY 2011. However, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will quickly work to revise MPFS payment rates in the event Congress passes legislation to prevent the reduced payment rates from going into effect on January 1, 2011. We encourage physicians to consider the possibility of this legislation as you evaluate decisions related to your annual participation election. Please be on the alert for more information about the CY 2011 physician update as it becomes available.
CMS posts new PQRI FAQs
CMS has issued several new FAQs related to the physician quality reporting initiative (PQRI).
View a listing of recent PQRI FAQs.
CMS posts new RAC FAQ
Can a Recovery Audit Contractors (RAC) review a claim more than once?
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