Aug. 31 Is Last Day for Comments on Medicare's 2010 Physician Fee Schedule
By News Staff
Monday is the last opportunity for AAFP members to comment on CMS' proposed 2010 Medicare physician fee schedule, which was published in the July 13 Federal Register (307-page PDF; About PDFs).
Family physicians in particular would benefit from the proposed alterations to the schedule. CMS estimates that the changes would result in an 8 percent increase in family physician payments. Changes in the proposed rule that would affect FPs include
- removing physician-administered drugs from the definition of physician services,
- elimination of consultation codes, and
- an update in how physician practice expenses are evaluated.
Cuts in the fee schedule for subspecialist services are generating some backlash from those groups. According to the American College of Cardiology, its members sent more than 1,500 e-mails, faxes, letters and phone calls to congressional offices across the country to protest proposed cuts to cardiovascular services.
The AAFP is providing a template letter (2-page Word file; About Downloading) that members can use to convey their personal messages to CMS regarding the proposed fee schedule.
Members also can send comments to CMS via the federal government's Regulations.gov Web site (Editor's Note: The comments period is now closed). AAFP's Connect for Reform initiative (Members Only) offers a direct link for members to access and read the rule and even facilitates submission of electronic comments. All comments on CMS' proposed 2010 Medicare physician fee schedule must be received by CMS by 5 p.m. EDT on Aug. 31.
The AAFP is providing a template letter (2-page Word file; About Downloading) that members can use to convey their personal messages to CMS regarding the proposed fee schedule.
Members also can send comments to CMS via the federal government's Regulations.gov Web site (Editor's Note: The comments period is now closed). AAFP's Connect for Reform initiative (Members Only) offers a direct link for members to access and read the rule and even facilitates submission of electronic comments. All comments on CMS' proposed 2010 Medicare physician fee schedule must be received by CMS by 5 p.m. EDT on Aug. 31.
Related ANN Coverage
AAFP Comments on 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, Urges Members to Add Their Voices
(8/12/2009)
CMS Proposes Rule to Increase Primary Care Payments
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AAFP Statement: "AAFP Applauds Proposed Changes to Medicare Payment Policies"
(July 5, 2009)
AAFP Comments on 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, Urges Members to Add Their Voices
(8/12/2009)
CMS Proposes Rule to Increase Primary Care Payments
AAFP Praises Agency's Action
(7/8/2009)
AAFP, Other Physician Organizations Call for SGR Replacement This Year
(6/5/2009)
More From AAFP
AAFP Statement: "AAFP Applauds Proposed Changes to Medicare Payment Policies"
(July 5, 2009)
