OK, overdue, but done. Here's what I did...I took the top 40 RVU-valid CPT codes that our clients have performed over the last 12 months and fit them into an overall model comparing the 2008 Transitioned Non-Facility Rates to the 2009 Transitioned Non-Facility rates (someone check my logic). With the help of Siouxsie, I made sure to map things like the 99431, which doesn't exist in 2009, to the 99460, etc.
Here's the bottom line: pediatricians should expect the 2009 RVUs to reduce their average reimbursement (on those procedures) by 3.5%, not accounting for GPCI changes. This does not address any of those non-RVU codes related to immunizations, after-hours codes, etc. The implication of this reduction, however, is that pediatric codes will actually increase about 2.3% over last year, as Medicare will implementing an overall 5.6% cut across the board.
What are the big winners and losers this year?
| CPT Code | Description | Difference (’08-’09) |
| 92587 | Evoked Auditory Test | -43.2% |
| 92567 | Tympanometry | -20.4% |
| 95117 | Immunotherapy Injections | -17.1% |
| 86580 | TB Intradermal test | -10.0% |
| 99211 | Office visit, est | -3.8% |
| 94760 | Measure blood oxygen level | +8.2% |
| 92551 | Pure tone hearing test, air | +10.3% |
| 90772 | Ther/proph/diag inj, sc/im | +12.5% |
Tomorrow, I'll have an overdue second GPCI review, but this is the important piece today. -3.5%. Could be worse, but could be a lot better.
Thanks to Siouxse who also provided this important review of the code changes. I need to help get this out to the world.