CMS and the insurers would do well to actually work with physicians who are on the front lines to develop health policy, and to avoid using only health industry management consultants. Do they call their advice “consultations”? The focus of payment policy should include the value of the correct diagnosis.
Dr. Goldman is a rheumatologist and president of Medical Quarters and chief of rheumatology at St. Joseph’s Hospital, both in Atlanta.
ad goes here:advert-1
ADVERTISEMENT
SCROLL TO CONTINUE
References
- CMS. CMS Manual System. Pub 100-20 One-Time Notification, Transmittal 615. Page 2. Published December 29, 2009. Available at: www.cms.hhs.gov/Transmittals/downloads/R615OTN.pdf. Accessed April 13, 2010.
- CMS. Summary of Policies in the 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and the Telehealth Originating Site Facility Fee Payment Amount – JA6756. Page 5. Published December 29, 2009. Available at: www.cms.hhs.gov/ContractorLearningResources/downloads/JA6756.pdf. Accessed April 13, 2010.
- Maves MD. Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Revisions to Part B for CY 2010; Proposed Rule; 74 Fed. Reg. 33,520 (July 13, 2009). August 31, 2009. Available at: www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/399/quality-pqri-letter-31aug2009.pdf. Accessed April 13, 2010.
- Shalowitz JI. Is it time to eliminate consultation codes? An analysis of impact and rationale. Arch Intern Med. 2010;170:14-17.
- Organized Crime Muscles In On Health Care. NPR Weekend Edition Saturday, January 16, 2010. Available at: www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=122645717&m=122645769. Accessed April 13, 2010.
