1/28/10 – ACRO Alert Code 77338 replaces 77334 Multiple Custom Multileaf Device Charges for Medicare IMRT Patients. Effective January 1, 2010, Code 77338 replaces device charge 77334 used for each multileaf pattern for Medicare patients receiving IMRT. This code is used one time per IMRT plan (77301) and replaces multiple charges for multileaf patterns. Private insurers may not yet have followed suit. Unfortunately, the reimbursement for this code is below what would be reimbursed under the prior system. Click here to read the entire ACRO alert.
1/11/10 – ACRO Alert: Payments for Consultations Eliminated as of January 1, Decline in Reimbursement to Result. CMS has eliminated inpatient and outpatient consultation code reimbursement for medical specialists, including radiation oncologists (codes 99241-99245 and 99251-99255). Instead, radiation oncologists can bill a new patient visit for Medicare patients. The reduction in reimbursement for us is substantial. Click here to learn more.
12/23/09 – President Signs into Law H.R. 3326, Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010: Includes a 0% Medicare Physician Update through February 28, 2010 On December 19, the President signed into law H.R. 3326, the "Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010," Click here for the press release, which includes a zero percent Medicare physician update through February 28, 2010. This action staves off a 21% pay cut for physicians scheduled for January 1, 2010. Congress will continue to work in the new year on a physician fee schedule fix to extend beyond the new February 28 deadline. In anticipation of the two-month freeze of Medicare payments to physicians, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) also instructed its contractors to hold claims for the first 10 business days of January for 2010 dates of service. Click here to learn more.
12/3/09 – In mid-November, CMS announced the results of the 2008 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI). Read more in the ACRO Economic/Legislative/Regulatory Affairs portal.
12/3/09 – Fellowship Application Deadline December 14: Fellows of the American College of Radiation Oncology are active members who are able to display meritorious service to the College or the field of radiation oncology, actively attend annual meetings (2 in the past 5 years) and express a significant interest in the continued development of the College. Current members with 10 or more years of consecutive active membership are encouraged to apply. Click here for an application. Click here to view fellowship criteria.
12/2/09 – Medicare Eliminates Payment for Consultation Codes: Effective January 1, 2010, Medicare will no longer pay for services billed using consultation CPT® codes, except for telehealth services. This change was made in a budget neutral manner, such that Medicare increased the payments for new patient visits. Click here to learn more.
11/30/09 – ACRO has just posted important information from RCI regarding Medicare ("Description of 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule" and "Description of 2010 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Payment System Final Rule"). View this information along with the latest economic and legislative affairs here.
11/5/09 – 2010 Final Rule for the MPFS:Click here to review an outline of the procedure codes commonly utilized in the radiation oncology setting with the RVUs from the 2010 Final Rule. The payments have been calculated showing the 2010 payment with the reduction in the conversion factor as finalized in the 2010 Final Rule and also with the legislative increase of a 0.5% higher conversion factor than the 2009 conversion factor, i.e., $36.066, in order to show all of the possibilities.
11/2/09 – CMS Releases New Fee Cut Structure: According to an October 30 press release by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), on January 1, 2010 CMS will institute a 1% cut to radiation oncology payments. The following three years, 2011-2013, will see cuts as well, totaling a 5% decrease from the current rates on January 1, 2014. This is in stark contrast to the original CMS plan of the much larger 19% cut for radiation oncologists. ACRO will review the entire Federal Rule and submit comments as necessary.
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February 25 - 27, 2010, Disney World
