Medicare Compliance & Reimbursement

Unless CMS makes changes in the final rule, this is what you can expect.The Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) proposed rule doesn't look promising for clinical labs and pathologists. Unless Congress averts the sustainable growth rate (SGR) update for 2013 and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services change their proposed fee schedule, you will probably see your share of the pie shrinking.Pathologists Lose to Primary Care PhysiciansTo offset a pay increase to some physicians under the primary care initiative, CMS proposes to decrease pay for all non-primary care physicians, including pathologists. Expect a 1 percent reduction for pathology, according to CMS.Here's why: CMS is proposing a 7 percent pay increase for family practitioners, and between 3 and 5 percent increases for other primary-care practitioners. "Helping primary care doctors will help improve patient care and lower health care costs long term," said CMS Acting Administrator, Marilyn B. Tavenner in a [...]