Even though Congress approved a zero percent update for Medicare physician fees in 2011, the CMS calculation for the 2011 conversion factor represents a 7.8554 percent cut, according to a report by the Idaho Medical Association.
The reduction is necessary to account for changes to the RVUs, such as the misvalued code initiative and rescaling of the RVUs to match the revised Medicare Economic Index weights.
The revised conversion factor, effective Jan. 1, 2011, is $33.9764, compared with the FY 2010 conversion factor is $36.8729. CMS has directed implementation for "no later than" Jan. 14, 2011.
The CMS announced the change in a transmission titled, "Emergency Update to the CY 2011 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Database."
Read the Idaho Medical Association report on physician fees
Read the CMS transmission on the 2011 conversion factor.
Read more coverage of physician fees:
- New Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Includes 10% Increase for Primary Care, General Surgeons in Shortage Areas
- Temper AMA Panel's Power Over Physician Fees, Healthcare Economist Proposes
- AMA Responds to Call to Temper Association Committee's Power Over Physician Fees
The reduction is necessary to account for changes to the RVUs, such as the misvalued code initiative and rescaling of the RVUs to match the revised Medicare Economic Index weights.
The revised conversion factor, effective Jan. 1, 2011, is $33.9764, compared with the FY 2010 conversion factor is $36.8729. CMS has directed implementation for "no later than" Jan. 14, 2011.
The CMS announced the change in a transmission titled, "Emergency Update to the CY 2011 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Database."
Read the Idaho Medical Association report on physician fees
Read the CMS transmission on the 2011 conversion factor.
Read more coverage of physician fees:
- New Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Includes 10% Increase for Primary Care, General Surgeons in Shortage Areas
- Temper AMA Panel's Power Over Physician Fees, Healthcare Economist Proposes
- AMA Responds to Call to Temper Association Committee's Power Over Physician Fees