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CMS: Expect 2012 fee schedule proposed rule very soon

by: Grant Huang Jun 28, 2011

CMS is putting the finishing touches on its proposed 2012 Physician Fee Schedule and expects to release it "very shortly," in the words of Stewart Streimer, director of the agency's Provider Billing Group. This vague hint was one of the first announcements Streimer made during today's physician open door call.

CMS will publish physician data to create public performance reports

by: Grant Huang Jun 14, 2011

Your providers' performance, based on Medicare claims data for Parts A, B and D of program, will be shared with the public under a new proposed rule from CMS. Certain "qualified entities" would process the Medicare data, along with private payer data, to create public reports. This new initiative, which was made possible by the health reform law, would be similar in principle to the Hospital Compare website, CMS says in a June press release.

CMS proposes new e-Prescribing exemptions, gives providers more time

by: Lauren C. Williams May 26, 2011

You and your peers may be able avoid the 1% e-Prescribing (e-Rx) Medicare payment penalty if you qualify for one of CMS’s new proposed hardship exemptions outlined in its May 26 proposed rule. If finalized, the wil give providers a more flexible timeline and more options to claim a hardship exemption for not being able to meet the e-Rx requirement by June 30.

Insider: ACO proposed rule a 'very tough sell' for small practices

by: Grant Huang Apr 8, 2011

Accountable care organizations (ACOs) are the talk of town at the moment, but the current proposed rule for ACOs offers little incentive for small to medium-sized physician practices to participate, according to one industry insider.

"Only those groups that truly have the money and resources are going to play," says this source, who works as a regulatory analyst and lobbyist at a major physician advocacy group in Washington. "As the rule is set up now, it's a very tough sell for smaller groups ... and a lot of care in this country is provided by small practices, five providers or less."

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