CMS releases the proposed 2007 Medicare physician fee schedule

From the Medical Group Management Association:

On Aug. 8, 2006, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the proposed 2007 Medicare physician fee schedule. Although providers had anticipated 4.6 percent reduction in payment, revisions of the sustainable growth rate (SGR) calculation have increased the cut to 5.1 percent.

Some of the other highlights include proposals:

• Amending the physician self-referral (Stark) regulations.
• Updating the drug add-on adjustment to the composite rate for End Stage Renal Disease facilities to 15.2 percent.
• Developing supplier standards for independent diagnostic testing facilities.
• Affecting reimbursement for imaging services.

The proposed rule will be published in the Federal Register on Aug. 22, 2006; however, CMS has made available a preview of the rule on its Web site. Access the CMS version of the proposal.