2007 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI)
National Provider Conference Call with Question & Answer Session
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Provider Communications Group will host the first in a series of national provider conference calls on the 2007 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI). This toll-free call will take place from 3:00 p.m. …
MEDICAL PAYMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION (MEDPAC) REPORTS
DEAL WITH PRACTICE EXPENSE METHODOLOGY, SGR AND P4P:
MedPac reported to Congress on a variety of issues in March of 2007. MedPac predicted that the new practice expense methodology will produce a 7% E&M increase, but an 8-9% decrease for major imaging procedures by 2010. MedPac concluded that Sustainable Growth Rate…
PRESCRIPTION FOR PENNSYLVANIA – GOVERNOR RENDELL’S PROPOSAL
FOR PENNSYLVANIA HEALTH CARE REFORM
Representatives of Governor Rendell’s administration reported at the Pennsylvania Bar Institute Annual Health Law Institute that Governor Rendell’s “Prescription for Pennsylvania,” the comprehensive state health care reform program, is expected to be presented to the Pennsylvania Legislature before the end of the month. Prescription for…
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has quietly reversed itself on the new standards for Independent Diagnostic Testing Facilities (IDTFs). Transmittal 187, which established new standards for IDTFs and was scheduled to be effective as of February 26, 2007, was rescinded without explanation. Therefore, some of the more significant changes, such as:
§ …
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is pleased to announce that the 2007 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) webpage is now available.
On December 20, 2006 the President signed the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 (TRHCA). Section 101 under Title I authorizes the establishment of a physician quality reporting system …
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced significant changes to the regulatory requirements for operating independent diagnostic testing facilities (IDTFs) on January 26, 2007, which new rules will become affective February 26, 2007. These new requirements affect the:
§ Performance standards for operation.
§ The requirements for both interpreting and supervising physicians.…
Medicare will cover intracranial percutaneous angioplasty (PTA) with stenting effective February 5, 2007. MLN Matters #MM5432 released on January 5, 2007 explains the changes in Medicare policy regarding reimbursement for PTA. Coverage will be effective as of November 6, 2006 for a PTA and stenting of intracranial arteries for the treatment of cerebral artery stenosis greater than…
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield plans to follow the Medicare reductions for the technical component of multiple diagnostic imaging services beginning in the spring of 2007. Following is a quote from the announcement in the December 2006 PRN:
“Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield plans to reduce payment for certain diagnostic imaging services when more than one…
Assuming siganture by the President of the "Medicare Improvments and Extension Act of 2006" , the following will be the major Medicare changes for the coming year. The complete text of the changes and Committee reports are avaialble on the link in the article posted here yesterday.
1. 2007 PHYSICIAN FEE SCHEDULE: The conversion…
Both Houses of Congress have approved the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, which eliminates the planned 5% Medicare Physician Fee Schedule cut for 2007. The bill now goes to the White House and President Bush is expected to sign it. The bill contained other key health care provisions which we intend to explain in…
