The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service's 2014 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule significantly decreases reimbursement for several interventional pain procedures, and the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians recently responded with a letter to CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner.
The Final Rule includes payment reductions such as:
• 33 percent cut for cervical epidural payments
• 56 percent cut for cervical epidural when performed in an office setting
• 19 percent cut for lumbar epidural injection payments
• 49 percent cut for lumbar epidural when performed in an office setting
Physicians now receive $42 payment for performing these epidurals before additional cuts related to the sustainable growth rate go into effect. As a result, the letter warns pain physicians will be forced to perform these procedures in ambulatory surgery centers or hospital outpatient departments, increasing the cost.
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