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Billing, coding in 2002 brought good and bad news
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MAUI, Hawaii — Having a physician as Senate majority leader was one of the good things that took place on the reimbursement front in 2002, according to consultant Kevin J. Corcoran, COE, CPC, FNAO.
Mr. Corcoran cited several good — and not so good — points that have recently taken place.
He cited Sen. Bill Frist’s appointment as majority leader as one of the good things. He said that Medicare is one of Sen. Frist’s priorities. Mr. Corcoran also described Sen. Frist’s relationship with ASCRS as “positive.”
Also among the positive points was the slight increase in payment rates for ASCs. He said that the increases were nearly 2% to 3%.
Mr. Corcoran described the 2003 Medicare fee schedule as bad news, because it was delayed more than 6 weeks past the Nov. 1, 2002 deadline – and there was an overall 4.4% decrease in reimbursement for ophthalmologists.
However, House Ways and Means Chairman, Bill Thomas (R-Calif.), introduced legislation on Jan. 7 to halt implementation of the 2003 fee schedule and prevent the cuts, which are slated to take effect March 1.
Mr. Corcoran described the Medicare conversion factor trend as a “roller coaster ride, with 2002 on the downward part.”