CMS Releases 2014 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule

On Monday, July 8, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the calendar year (CY) 2014 Medicare physician fee schedule proposed rule.  This proposed rule outlines proposed changes to policies and payment rates for services rendered on and after January 1, 2014. 

The proposed rule includes a summary of the estimated impact by specialty that the policy changes will have on allowed charges (the summary  does not reflect any SGR-mandated changes to the conversion factor). The impact on anesthesia is a positive 3 percent. 

The proposed rule assumes the Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) cut of 24.4 percent, that is scheduled to go into effect at the end of the year, occurs. In previous years, Congress has passed a “SGR Fix” as a standalone bill or as part of a legislative package to avert the SGR cuts.    

ASA members and staff are currently reviewing the proposed rule for matters specific to anesthesia and pain and we will post more updates once that analysis is complete. 

The comment period on the proposed rule is open for 60 days from the date it is published in the Federal Register. ASA will be formulating and submitting an official response.  

Review the 652 page rule.

Review the CMS Fact Sheet on the proposed rule.