Proposed rules a mixed bag for cardiology

Proposed Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) changes include imaging payment reductions; reimbursement cuts for echo, stress echo and pacemaker services; a slight increase in nuclear stress test reimbursement; elimination of the GPCI floor; additional measures to quality reporting programs; and e-prescribing penalty modifications.
CMS estimates that the overall impact of the PFS on Cardiology will be a 1- percent reduction, but a CAA analysis predicts that the proposed PFS changes may decrease overall Medicare reimbursement by 2-4 percent for the average cardiology practice.
Proposed HOPPS changes include the bundling of reimbursement related to admission under the 72-hour inpatient rule. CAA will review the rules and submit comments to CMS on behalf of its members

For more/other information, please contact CAA Executive Director Jennifer Searfoss at jen@cardiologycaa.com