CMS has announced proposed changes to policies and payment rates for services to be furnished during CY 2010 by over 1 million physicians and nonphysician practitioners. CMS is making several proposals to refine Medicare payments to physicians, which are expected to increase payment rates for primary care services. The proposals include an update to the practice expense component of physician fees. For 2010, CMS is proposing to include data about physicians’ practice costs from the Physician Practice Information Survey, a new survey designed and conducted by the American Medical Association.
The proposed rule has been published in the Federal Register. CMS will accept comments on the proposed rule until August 31, and will respond to all comments in a final rule to be issued by November 1, 2009. Unless otherwise specified, the new payment rates and policies will apply to services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries on or after January 1, 2010.
