Medicare fee changes delayed

January 8, 2010 — Due to the Congressional action taken late last year, the proposed 21-percent decrease to Medicare reimbursement rates has been delayed until March. During the next few months, the Senate will consider a bill that will address the fee decrease for the remainder of the year. 

It is important to access the most up-to-date fee schedule from your local contractor to ensure you are using the appropriate fees for 2010. Note that your 2010 fees will not be identical to the 2009 fees because the values for the CMT codes changed from 2009 to 2010. 

Additionally, the cost of practice in every state is evaluated annually. This cost information also affects reimbursement rates. 

Finally, for 2010, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have begun to recoup the costs they have associated with the Chiropractic Demonstration Project through a slight reduction to the CMT codes. This adjustment will also affect CMT reimbursement.  

Source: American Chiropractic Association, www.acatoday.org