The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on June 30 proposed new changes to the 2009 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) that would result in a reduction in Medicare payments to physicians and other providers by 5.4 percent. Total Medicare spending under the 2009 fee schedule is projected at $54 billion, down 5 percent from the $57 billion projected for 2008.
CMS is also proposing additional improvements to the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI); proposed changes for the 2009 PQRI program include increasing the number of conditions covered by measures groups to nine--adding coronary artery disease, HIV/AIDS, coronary artery bypass surgery, rheumatoid arthritis, care during surgery, and back pain to the original measures groups for diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and preventive care.
Comments are due by Aug. 29, and the final rule will be issued by Nov. 1. The revised policies and payment rates will become effective Jan. 1, 2009. Download the proposed rule.
