|
September 15, 2006
IDTF Letter Campaign Regarding Proposed Changes
to the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS) and
2007 Payment Rates Independent diagnostic testing facilities (IDTFs)/physician
office imaging providers are facing two important challenges both of
which are inextricably linked with regard to PET scan payments for
2007. The first is the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) whereby the HOPPS
payment rate for imaging services will be the cap for payments to
IDTFs under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule beginning January 1,
2007. Legislative efforts are underway to delay the cuts mandated by
the DRA, but the legislation is still pending at this time. The
second challenge is the HOPPS rate itself for PET scan payments. CMS
is proposing a reduction in payment from the current level of $1,150
for PET and $1,250 for PET/CT to $862 for both PET and PET/CT. (For
additional details on the HOPPS 2007 proposed rule as it effects PET
please see previous eNews at: http://nps.cardinal.com/nps/PETFoundations/ENews.asp) CMS is now accepting public comments on the HOPPS 2007
proposed rule until
5 p.m. October 10,
2007
Instructions on how to submit comments are
listed at the end of this eNews.
The final rule, which will be published in early November, will
set the payment rates under HOPPS for services beginning January 1,
2007. The final rule will also include CMS's responses to public
comments received during the formal comment period.
Cardinal Health encourages freestanding PET facilities to submit
comments to CMS by participating in a letter campaign that is
currently underway. As a service to our customers we have attached
the following letter template that is being circulated to
IDTF/physician office PET providers to submit comments to CMS on the
2007 HOPPS proposed rule. Each provider should personalize the
letter for their own facility and make whatever revisions they deem
appropriate.
How to submit comments to CMS on the proposed
rule:
Comments may be submitted in one of four ways
(Refer to file code CMS-1506-P).
- Electronically Submit electronic comments to:
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/eRulemaking and
click on the link "Submit
electronic comments on CMS
regulations with an open comment period".
Click on Docket ID
number CMS-1506-P and follow the instructions
Note: CMS will
accept attachments in WordPerfect, Excel, or Microsoft
Word
(preferred)
- Regular mail
Mail written comments (one original and two
copies) to the following address only:
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Department of Health and Human
Services
Attention: CMS-1506-P
P.O Box 8011
Baltimore, MD
21244-1850
- Express or overnight mail
Send written comments (one
original and two copies) to the following
address
only:
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services
Department of Health and Human Services
Attention:
CMS-1506-P
Mail Stop C4-26-05
7500 Security
Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21244-1850
Reimbursement
information is provided by Cardinal Health as general coding
and payment information. This information is not intended to
replace or serve as a substitute for your duty to verify that
such information is proper for your particular circumstances.
Any codes reported should accurately reflect the procedures
performed and the patient's conditions. You may want to
consult with local payers to confirm compliance with local
policies, or otherwise review and confirm reimbursement
policies with your own legal or other professional
advisors.
© 2006
Cardinal Health Inc. All rights reserved.
Note: If you feel
you have received this e-mail in error, please click
here to unsubscribe.
|
|
