ACR Provides Preliminary Analysis of CY23 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule

Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

Musculoskeletal ultrasound codes have experienced cuts over the past several years. At its January 2022 meeting, the RUC evaluated surveys of the neuromuscular ultrasound code family (CPT 76881, 76882, 76883). The ACR participated in these surveys and the RUC discussions. Unfortunately, the CMS disagreed with the RUC recommendation of five minutes of pre- and post-service time and instead proposed zero minutes, believing the pre- and post-service overlapped. Thanks to advocacy from the ACR and our partnering organizations, the CMS reversed its proposal and has finalized five minutes of pre-service and five minutes of post-service time into the codes. Although we recognize the impact of the ongoing cuts on our members, the ACR is an active participant in the RUC survey and discussions related to these codes and looks forward to continuing to work within the process.

As always, the ACR is carefully analyzing the CY2023 Final Rule and will continue to update members on its implementation. Contact [email protected] with any questions.

The American Medical Association’s Relative Value Update Committee advises the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on appropriate reimbursement rates for specialty services. Luke Barré, MD, MPH, RhMSUS, is learning the ropes as the ACR’s newest representative.

The American Medical Association consists of two key groups: 1) the Relative Value Scale Update Committee (RUC), which oversees the annual updates to the physician work relative values, and 2) the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Editorial Panel, which assigns new or revised codes in the CPT book. The CPT Process Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) was…

Selected ACR members will be invited to participate in a survey from the AMA Relative Value Update Committee. If you do, respond by the listed date. Data from these surveys helps set Medicare and other payer reimbursement rates.

Timothy Laing, MD, will continue to represent the ACR in his third stint on the AMA’s Relative Value System Update Committee, helping determine the relative value of clinical services.

Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

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Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

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