For CY 2021, CMS finalized the proposal to adopt a new coding structure for the office/outpatient evaluation and management (E/M) codes as recommended by the AMA and RVS Update Committee (RUC).
Implementation of the AMA RUC-recommended values will result in increased payments for office/outpatient E/M visits. CMS must adopt these policies in a "budget neutral" manner; therefore, CMS is estimating commensurate reductions across other non-E/M based physician specialties to offset the increases.
Beginning in 2021, the combined impact of RVU changes for RBMA members will be as follows: Diagnostic Radiology -8%, Interventional Radiology -6%, Diagnostic Testing Facility -4%, Nuclear Medicine -5%. The ACR estimates that the proposed "boost" for E/M codes could cut radiology reimbursement by $450 million a year, totaling $5.6 billion over 10 years.
The RBMA Data Committee and Federal Affairs Committee are actively seeking to determine the effects of this 8% cuts to reimbursement in your practice. This information will be important as we take this message to CMS and Congress.
Please click the below link and tell us what this would mean for your practice, and our patient's quality of service and care.
RESPOND
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Robert Still FRBMA
Executive Director
Radiology Business Management Association (RBMA)
Fairfax VA
(703) 621-3363
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