Medicare
ACR, medical societies lobby for legislation ensuring 'overdue' E/M rate increases
The American College of Rheumatology and 60 other health care groups have signed a letter in support of legislation that would ensure evaluation and management rate increases under Medicare without payment cuts to providers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Proposed 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule includes 6% reduction for ophthalmology
CMS finalizes updates to dialysis payments for 2021
CMS has released the final rule updating Medicare payment policies and rates under the Prospective Payment System for renal dialysis services for 2021.
Proposed CMS change could expand access to diabetes devices
CMS announced proposed new changes that could expand Medicare coverage for continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps, according to an agency press release.
Use of noninvasive ventilation rapidly increased in Medicare beneficiaries at end of life
Use of noninvasive ventilation among Medicare beneficiaries who were hospitalized in the last 30 days of life increased from 2000 to 2017, especially among those with cancer and dementia, researchers reported.
Kidney disease education through Medicare may improve results, but education use declines
Data presented at ASN Kidney Week demonstrated that although Medicare-reimbursed kidney disease education led to improved outcomes, “few” eligible patients received it and receipt declined during the study period.
Rural Medicare beneficiaries with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia have worse outcomes
Regional malpractice claims may be associated with increased Medicare imaging utilization
Physicians living in regions with a high incidence of medical malpractice claims may be more susceptible to ordering advanced Medicare imaging as a defensive medicine strategy, according to published results.
AAOS responds to CMS-proposed Medicare payment policy changes for 2021
The American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons issued two formal letters to CMS regarding the proposed Medicare outpatient prospective payment system, ASC payment system and physician fee schedule for 2021, according to a press release.
Medicare spending on conventional DMARDs increased fivefold over 5 years
Medicare spending on DMARDs frequently used for rheumatoid arthritis increased from $4.4 billion to more than $10 billion between 2012 and 2017, with biologic DMARDs accounting for 95% of total expenditures each year, according data.