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Specialties Urge Payer Coverage of New COVID-Related Practice Expense Code

Members & Publications

November 24, 2020

Last month, your Academy announced the American Medical Association (AMA) Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Panel approval of a new code to compensate for the additional supplies and staff activities required to provide safe patient care during the public health emergency. CPT code 99072 is described as “additional supplies, materials, and clinical staff time over and above those usually included in an office visit or other non-facility service(s), when performed during a Public Health Emergency as defined by law, due to respiratory-transmitted infectious disease.”

This month, AAPM&R has joined a broad effort supported by numerous medical specialties to encourage coverage of this code by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services as well as by all private insurance companies. The partnering societies submitted letters to all relevant offices urging immediate payment for CPT code 99072 with no patient cost-sharing during the public health emergency. Your Academy will continue to update the membership as information regarding coverage of 99072 becomes available.

Legislation Introduced to Alleviate Impact of Conversion Factor Cut for 2021

Nov 09, 2020

Last month, two bills were introduced in the House proposing solutions to the estimated 10.6% Physician Fee Schedule conversion factor cut expected to go into effect January 1, 2021.  The bills offer some relief to the cut, but do not reflect a comprehensive or long-term solution.  AAPM&R has therefore chosen to remain neutral regarding these bills. 

Your Academy continues to advocate for a permanent solution to the conversion factor cut while maintaining the important payment increases to office and outpatient evaluation and management services.

 

 

 

 

 

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