Little-Known Medicare Pay Code Change Will Hurt Specialists

While the healthcare debate kept health leaders' attention in 2009, many were not aware of a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services plan to eliminate a series of five-digit CPT codes that specialist physicians, such as cardiologists, oncologists, and surgeons, use to bill for medical or surgical consults. This November article highlighted the issue and potential ramifications if the change became part of Medicare's physician pay schedule. Specialty providers said the change would have dire consequences for care far into the future, especially for rural communities where specialty doctors are in heavy demand.