On July 13, 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule that updates payment policies, payment rates, and quality provisions for services furnished under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) on or after January 1, 2018. The PFS pays for services furnished by physicians and other practitioners in all sites of service. These services include but are not limited to visits, surgical procedures, diagnostic tests, therapy services, and specified preventive services. CMS will accept comments on the proposed rule until September 11, 2017, and will issue the final rule by November 1, 2017.

As part of the proposed rule, CMS issues proposed values for new codes and codes deemed misvalued. Please see the spine code spreadsheet for a comprehensive comparison of RVUs and reimbursements of spine procedures from the 2017 final rule to the 2018 proposed rule. CMS addresses the following issues relevant to spine in the proposed rule:

Click here for a full summary of these changes. CMS will accept comments on the proposed rule until September 11, 2017, and will issue the final rule by November 1, 2017.

 

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