Looking Ahead to the 2007 Physician Fee Schedule

CMS has released a preview of its payment adjustments for physicians in 2007 and in the preview ,there are even more cuts in Part B reimbursement.

CMS projects a 4.6 percent cut to the 2007 Physician Fee Schedule, and explaining this is due to an almost 9 percent increase in spending as a large contributing factor to this decision.

On the list of spending increases that was released by CMS, the minor procedures category is listed as one of the fastest growing areas with the highest number of claims being in the fields of podiatry and dermatology. Of the 9 procedures that accounted for the largest spending growth, the following 4 codes were the highest billed procedures:

* 97110 (Therapeutic procedure, one or more areas, each 15 minutes; therapeutic exercises to develop strength and endurance, range of motion and flexibility)

* 97112 (…neuromuscular reeducation of movement, balance, coordination, kinesthetic sense, posture, and/or proprioception for sitting and/or standing activities)

* 97140 (Manual therapy techniques [eg mobilization/manipulation, manual lymphatic drainage, manual traction], one or more regions, each 13 minutes) and

* 97530 (Therapeutic activities, direct [one-on one] patient contact by the provider [use of dynamic activities to improve functional performance], each 15 minutes).

If you wish to view the updated payment listing, you can see it at the APTA website.

View all Articles by: Melissa Clark, CCS-P