Health and Human Services Department, Health Care Finance Administration
This proposed rule would make several changes affecting Medicare Part B payment. The changes include: Refinement of resource- based practice expense relative value units (RVUs); changes to the geographic practice cost indices; resource-based malpractice RVUs; critical care RVUs; care plan oversight and physician certification/ recertification; observation care codes; ocular photodynamic therapy and other ophthalmological treatments; electrical bioimpedance; the global period for insertion, removal, and replacement of pacemakers and cardioverter defibrillators; antigen supply; low intensity ultrasound; and the implantation of ventricular assist devices. This proposed rule also discusses or clarifies the payment policy for incomplete medical direction, pulse oximetry services, outpatient therapy supervision, outpatient therapy caps, and the second 5-year refinement of work RVUs for services furnished beginning January 1, 2002. We are proposing these changes to ensure that our payment systems are updated to reflect changes in medical practice and the relative value of services. We solicit comments on the proposed policy changes.
Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Health and Human Services Health Care Financing Administration 42 CFR Parts 410 and 414 [HCFA-1120-P] RIN 0938-AK11 AGENCY: Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), HHS. ACTION: Proposed rule. SUMMARY: This proposed rule would make several changes affecting Medicare Part B payment. The changes include: Refinement of resource-based practice expense relative value units (RVUs); changes to the geographic practice cost indices; resource-based malpractice RVUs; critical care RVUs; care plan oversight and physician certification/recertification; observation care codes; ocular photodynamic therapy and other ophthalmological treatments; electrical bioimpedance; the global period for insertion, removal, and replacement of pacemakers and cardioverter defibrillators; antigen supply; low intensity ultrasound; and the implantation of ventricular assist devices. This proposed rule also discusses or clarifies the payment policy for incomplete medical direction, pulse oximetry services, outpatient therapy supervision, outpatient therapy caps, and the second 5-year refinement of work RVUs for services furnished beginning January 1, 2002. We are proposing these changes to ensure that our payment systems are updated to reflect changes in medical practice and the relative value of services. We solicit comments on the proposed policy changes. DATES: To be assured of consideration, we must receive comments at the appropriate address, as provided below, no later than 5 p.m. on Sep…
Citation: 65 FR 44176
