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    CMS 2014 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Ruling Released

    The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released its 2014 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule. The rule sets the payment rates for all services paid to physicians for Medicare patients in 2014. An initial review shows that the net impact of the rule will be a +1% increase for cardiology as a whole (see page 1286). CMS also withdrew proposed reductions of up to 40% in payments to peripheral procedures done outside of hospitals.

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    December 01, 2013

    CMS 2014 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Ruling Released

    The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released its 2014 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule. The rule sets the payment rates for all services paid to physicians for Medicare patients in 2014. An initial review shows that the net impact of the rule will be a +1% increase for cardiology as a whole (see page 1286). CMS also withdrew proposed reductions of up to 40% in payments to peripheral procedures done outside of hospitals.
    September 13, 2013

    SCAI Opposes Proposed Medicare Physician Fee Reductions

    In comments submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding their 2014 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Proposed Rule, SCAI voiced strong opposition to CMS’s attack on reimbursement rates for some peripheral procedures performed outside of a hospital.
    September 13, 2013

    Society Teaming With ASH on Severe & Resistant Hypertension Workshop

    SCAI is teaming up with the American Society of Hypertension (ASH) for an interactive workshop, "Detection, Evaluation, and Management of Severe & Resistant Hypertension," targeted at health care providers, academia, industry, regulators and payors.
    September 13, 2013

    Society Expresses Concerns Over CMS's 2014 Outpatient Proposals

    SCAI is voicing serious concerns over CMS’s 2014 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System(HOPPS) proposed rule. SCAI opposes the proposed establishment of comprehensive, “super” bundled ambulatory payment classifications (APCs) for device-dependent procedures, specifically for APCs involving the new percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) codes that went into effect on January 1, 2013. In comments submitted late last week, SCAI points out that CMS does not have the necessary data needed to accurately set comprehensive APC payment rates for these procedures.
    September 13, 2013

    Tools Available to Simplify Revised HIPAA Rules Going Into Effect Sept. 23

    A new toolkit released by the AMA can help physicians navigate sweeping new revisions to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy and security rules. Physicians must comply with them by Sept. 23.
    September 13, 2013

    Attendance is Limited: Alliance/CMS to Host QRUR Webinar on Sept. 26

    The Alliance of Specialty Medicine is partnering with CMS to host a webinar to engage interventional and invasive cardiologist and other specialty physicians in groups of 25 or more eligible professionals on how to download their PY2012 Quality and Resource Ue Reports (QRURs).
    July 19, 2013

    CMS Beefing Up Carotid Stenting Oversight

    All physicians and hospitals providing carotid stenting must comply with a very detailed Medicare coverage policy including “self-accreditation” and it appears that CMS is beefing up oversight of compliance with these requirements by announcing a new encrypted re-accreditation process effective October 1.
    July 19, 2013

    SCAI Continues to Engage House Energy & Commerce Committee on SGR

    SCAI continues to engage the House Energy and Commerce Committee on legislation to repeal and replace Medicare's sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula, a movement which is picking up steam at a whirlwind pace.
    July 12, 2013

    SCAI Leaders Focusing on Draft Legislation to Repeal/Replace SGR

    SCAI leaders were on Capitol Hill this week meeting with their representatives and focusing on proposals to replace the SGR with sustainable payment rates and transitioning to a more value- and quality- based payment system.  Included were SCAI President Ted Bass, MD, FSCAI, SCAI Past President Joe Babb MD, FSCAI, and SCAI Trustee Thach Nguyen MD, FSCAI.
    July 12, 2013

    2014 Physician Fee Schedule Rule Released; Stay Tuned for Details

    In the midst of SCAI's legislative activity on Capitol HIll this week, CMS released its proposed fee schedule for 2014. Initial review by SCAI staff shows some positive tweaks that may increase fees for invasive and interventional cardiology procedures.