Rehab

Rehab contributor to 2004 Medicare spending increase

Rehab Regs, April 14, 2005

CMS says that services provided by physical therapists in independent practice accounted for more than 3% of a record 15.2% increase in Medicare Part B spending under the physician fee schedule from 2003-2004, according to PT Bulletin Online. But the American Physical Therapy Association is questioning whether the increase was due in part to changes in policies related to PTs working in physician's offices. CMS is predicting that as a result of the increased spending in 2004, Medicare payments to PTs, physicians, and other providers will be reduced by 4.3% next year, resulting in a fee schedule conversion factor of approximately $36.27, down from the current amount of nearly $37.90, reported the Bulletin.

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