Additional RUC Recommendations for Consideration for Final Rule on the 2012 Medicare Physician Payment Schedule

October 3, 2011 The American Medical Association (AMA) RVS Update Committee (RUC) recommended that as of January 1, 2012, federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) start reimbursing for care coordination services for Medicare beneficiaries with chronic illness. The recommendation included separate billing codes and payments for telephone consultation with patients, education and training for patient self management performed by non-physicians, medical team conferences whether or not the patient is present, and anticoagulant management services. Currently these services are billed as evaluation and management services; new codes would permit CMS to recognize the costs associated with team-based . . .