The American Gastroenterological Association and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy are asking physicians to complete the Relative Value Update Committee's surveys, according to an AGA news brief written by Lawrence R. Kosinski, MD, MBA, AGAF.
CMS has asked AMA's RUC, an advisory committee to CMS, to review a number of physician services, including endoscopy procedures. AGA describes RUC as "tasked with making relative value recommendations to CMS for new and revised codes, as well as annually updating relative value units to reflect changes in medical practice."
In the news brief, Dr. Kosinski says the RUC survey process is expected to have a significant impact on endoscopy reimbursement as more than 100 endoscopy codes will receive a comprehensive review based upon physician work and practice expense inputs.
"During November, we will be surveying the codes for EGD and several esophagoscopy procedures," writes Dr. Kosinski, in the brief. "Your participation is critical to obtaining equitable reimbursement of endoscopic procedures. If a minimum number of responses for each survey are not obtained, CMS could make decisions about our reimbursement without input from gastroenterologists."
To learn more about RUC surveys and how to participate, click here.
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