Medicare Program; Revisions to Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Revisions to Part B for CY 2018; Medicare Shared Savings Program Requirements; and Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program

Federal RegisterJul 21, 2017

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

42 CFR Parts 405, 410, 414, 424, and 425

[CMS-1676-P]

RIN 0938-AT02

Medicare Program; Revisions to Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Revisions to Part B for CY 2018; Medicare Shared Savings Program Requirements; and Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program

AGENCY:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.

ACTION:

Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:

This major proposed rule addresses changes to the Medicare physician fee schedule (PFS) and other Medicare Part B payment policies.

DATES:

To be assured consideration, comments must be received at one of the addresses provided below, no later than 5 p.m. on September 11, 2017. (See the

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

section of this final rule with comment period for a list of provisions open for comment.)

ADDRESSES:

In commenting, please refer to file code CMS-1676-P. Because of staff and resource limitations, we cannot accept comments by facsimile (FAX) transmission.

You may submit comments in one of four ways (please choose only one of the ways listed):

Electronically.

You may submit electronic comments on this regulation to

www.regulations.gov.

Follow the instructions for “submitting a comment.”

By regular mail.

You may mail written comments to the following address ONLY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Attention: CMS-1676-P, P.O. Box 8016, Baltimore, MD 21244-8013.

Please allow sufficient time for mailed comments to be received before the close of the comment period.

By express or overnight mail.

You may send written comments to the following address ONLY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Attention: CMS-1676-P, Mail Stop C4-26-05, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.

By hand or courier.

If you prefer, you may deliver (by hand or courier) your written comments before the close of the comment period to either of the following addresses:

a. For delivery in Washington, DC—Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Room 445-G, Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20201.

(Because access to the interior of the Hubert H. Humphrey Building is not readily available to persons without federal government identification, commenters are encouraged to leave their comments in the CMS drop slots located in the main lobby of the building. A stamp-in clock is available for persons wishing to retain a proof of filing by stamping in and retaining an extra copy of the comments being filed.)

b. For delivery in Baltimore, MD—Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.

If you intend to deliver your comments to the Baltimore address, please call telephone number (410) 786-7195 in advance to schedule your arrival with one of our staff members. Comments mailed to the addresses indicated as appropriate for hand or courier delivery may be delayed and received after the comment period.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jamie Hermansen, (410) 786-2064, for issues related to the valuation of anesthesia services and any physician payment issues not identified below.

Lindsey Baldwin, (410) 786-1694, and Emily Yoder, (410) 786-1804, for issues related to telehealth services and primary care.

Roberta Epps, (410) 786-4503, for issues related to PAMA section 218(a) policy and transition from traditional X-ray imaging to digital radiography.

Isadora Gil, (410) 786-4532, for issues related to the valuation of cardiovascular services, bone marrow services, surgical respiratory services, dermatological procedures, and payment rates for nonexcepted items and services furnished by nonexcepted off-campus provider-based departments of a hospital.

Donta Henson, (410) 786-1947, for issues related to ophthalmology services.

Tourette Jackson, (410) 786-4735, for issues related to the valuation of musculoskeletal services, allergy and clinical immunology services, endocrinology services, genital surgical services, nervous system services, INR monitoring services, injections and infusions, and chemotherapy services.

Ann Marshall, (410) 786-3059, for issues related to primary care, chronic care management (CCM), and evaluation and management (E/M) services.

Geri Mondowney, (410) 786-4584, for issues related to malpractice RVUs.

Patrick Sartini, (410) 786-9252, for issues related to the valuation of imaging services and malpractice RVUs.

Michael Soracoe, (410) 786-6312, for issues related to the practice expense methodology, impacts, conversion factor, and valuation of pathology and surgical procedures.

Pamela West, (410) 786-2302, for issues related to therapy services.

Corinne Axelrod, (410) 786-5620, for issues related to rural health clinics or federally qualified health centers.

Felicia Eggleston, (410) 786-9287, for issues related to DME infusion drugs.

Rasheeda Johnson, (410) 786-3434, for issues related to initial data collection and reporting periods for the clinical laboratory fee schedule.

Edmund Kasaitis, (410) 786-0477, for issues related to biosimilars.

JoAnna Baldwin, (410) 786-7205, or Sarah Fulton, (410) 786-2749, for issues related to appropriate use criteria for advanced diagnostic imaging services.

Alesia Hovatter, (410) 786-6861, for issues related to PQRS.

Alexandra Mugge, (410) 786-4457, or Elizabeth Holland, (410) 786-1309, for issues related to the EHR incentive program.

Rabia Khan or Terri Postma, (410) 786-8084 or

ACO@cms.hhs.gov,

for issues related to the Medicare Shared Savings Program.

Kimberly Spalding Bush, (410) 786-3232, or Fiona Larbi, (410) 786-7224, for issues related to Value-based Payment Modifier and Physician Feedback Program.

Wilbert Agbenyikey, (410) 786-4399, for issues related to MACRA patient relationship categories and codes.

Carlye Burd, (410) 786-1972, or Albert Wesley, (410) 786-4204, for issues related to diabetes prevention program.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Executive Summary

II. Provisions of the Proposed Rule for PFS

A. Background

B. Determination of Practice Expense Relative Value Units (PE RVUs)

C. Determination of Malpractice Relative Value Units (MRVUs)

D. Medicare Telehealth Services

E. Potentially Misvalued Services Under the PFS

F. Implementation of Reduced Payment for Film-Based Imaging Services

G. Proposed Payment Rates Under the Medicare PFS for Nonexcepted Items and Services Furnished by Nonexcepted Off-Campus Provider-Based Departments of a Hospital

H. Proposed Valuation of Specific Codes

I. Evaluation & Management (E/M) Guidelines and Care Management Services

III. Other Provisions of the Proposed Rule

A. New Care Coordination Services and Payment for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)

B. Payment for DME Infusion Drugs

C. Solicitation of Public Comments on Initial Data Collection and Reporting Periods for Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule

D. Solicitation of Public Comments on Biosimilars

E. Appropriate Use Criteria for Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Services

F. Physician Quality Reporting System Criteria for Satisfactory Reporting for Individual EPs and Group Practices for the 2018 PQRS Payment Adjustment

G. Medicare EHR Incentive Program

H. Medicare Shared Savings Program

I. Value-Based Payment Modifier and Physician Feedback Program

J. MACRA Patient Relationship Categories and Codes

K. Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program

IV. Collection of Information Requirements

V. Response to Comments

VI. Regulatory Impact Analysis

Regulations Text

Acronyms

In addition, because of the many organizations and terms to which we refer by acronym in this final rule, we are listing these acronyms and their corresponding terms in alphabetical order below:

A1c Hemoglobin A1c

AAA Abdominal aortic aneurysms

ACO Accountable care organization

AMA American Medical Association

ASC Ambulatory surgical center

ATA American Telehealth Association

ATRA American Taxpayer Relief Act (Pub. L. 112-240)

AWV Annual wellness visit

BBA Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (Pub. L. 105-33)

BBRA [Medicare, Medicaid and State Child Health Insurance Program] Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999 (Pub. L. 106-113)

BLS Bureau of Labor Statistics

CAD Coronary artery disease

CAH Critical access hospital

CBSA Core-Based Statistical Area

CCM Chronic care management

CEHRT Certified EHR technology

CF Conversion factor

CG-CAHPS Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems

CLFS Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule

CoA Certificate of Accreditation

CoC Certificate of Compliance

CoR Certificate of Registration

CNM Certified nurse-midwife

CP Clinical psychologist

CPC Comprehensive Primary Care

CPEP Clinical Practice Expert Panel

CPT [Physicians] Current Procedural Terminology (

)

CQM Clinical quality measure

CSW Clinical social worker

CT Computed tomography

CW Certificate of Waiver

CY Calendar year

DFAR Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations

DHS Designated health services

DM Diabetes mellitus

DSMT Diabetes self-management training

eCQM Electronic clinical quality measures

ED Emergency Department

EHR Electronic health record

E/M Evaluation and management

EMT Emergency Medical Technician

EP Eligible professional

eRx Electronic prescribing

ESRD End-stage renal disease

FAR Federal Acquisition Regulations

FDA Food and Drug Administration

FFS Fee-for-service

FQHC Federally qualified health center

FR Federal Register

FSHCAA Federally Supported Health Centers Assistance Act

GAF Geographic adjustment factor

GAO Government Accountability Office

GPCI Geographic practice cost index

GPO Group purchasing organization

GPRO Group practice reporting option

GTR Genetic Testing Registry

HCPCS Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System

HHS [Department of] Health and Human Services

HOPD Hospital outpatient department

HPSA Health professional shortage area

IDTF Independent diagnostic testing facility

IPPE Initial preventive physical exam

IPPS Inpatient Prospective Payment System

IQR Inpatient Quality Reporting

ISO Insurance service office

IT Information technology

IWPUT Intensity of work per unit of time

LCD Local coverage determination

MA Medicare Advantage

MAC Medicare Administrative Contractor

MACRA Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (Pub. L. 114-10)

MAP Measure Applications Partnership

MAPCP Multi-payer Advanced Primary Care Practice

MAV Measure application validity [process]

MCP Monthly capitation payment

MedPAC Medicare Payment Advisory Commission

MEI Medicare Economic Index

MFP Multi-Factor Productivity

MIPPA Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (Pub. L. 110-275)

MMA Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (Pub. L. 108-173, enacted on December 8, 2003)

MP Malpractice

MPPR Multiple procedure payment reduction

MRA Magnetic resonance angiography

MRI Magnetic resonance imaging

MSA Metropolitan Statistical Areas

MSPB Medicare Spending per Beneficiary

MU Meaningful use

NCD National coverage determination

NCQDIS National Coalition of Quality Diagnostic Imaging Services

NP Nurse practitioner

NPI National Provider Identifier

NPP Nonphysician practitioner

NQS National Quality Strategy

OACT CMS's Office of the Actuary

OBRA '89 Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989 (Pub. L. 101-239)

OBRA '90 Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-508)

OES Occupational Employment Statistics

OMB Office of Management and Budget

OPPS Outpatient prospective payment system

OT Occupational therapy

PA Physician assistant

PAMA Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-93)

PAMPA Patient Access and Medicare Protection Act (Pub. L. 114-115)

PC Professional component

PCIP Primary Care Incentive Payment

PE Practice expense

PE/HR Practice expense per hour

PEAC Practice Expense Advisory Committee

PECOS Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System

PFS Physician Fee Schedule

PLI Professional Liability Insurance

PMA Premarket approval

PPM Provider-Performed Microscopy

PQRS Physician Quality Reporting System

PPIS Physician Practice Expense Information Survey

PPS Prospective Payment System

PT Physical therapy

PT Proficiency Testing

PT/INR Prothrombin Time/International Normalized Ratio

PY Performance year

QA Quality Assessment

QC Quality Control

QCDR Qualified clinical data registry

QRUR Quality and Resources Use Report

RBRVS Resource-based relative value scale

RFA Regulatory Flexibility Act

RHC Rural health clinic

RIA Regulatory impact analysis

RUC American Medical Association/Specialty Society Relative Value Scale Update Committee

RUCA Rural Urban Commuting Area

RVU Relative value unit

SBA Small Business Administration

SGR Sustainable growth rate

SIM State Innovation Model

SLP Speech-language pathology

SMS Socioeconomic Monitoring System

SNF Skilled nursing facility

TAP Technical Advisory Panel

TC Technical component

TIN Tax identification number

TCM Transitional Care Management

UAF Update adjustment factor

UPIN Unique Physician Identification Number

USPSTF United States Preventive Services Task Force

VBP Value-based purchasing

VM Value-Based Payment Modifier

Addenda Available Only Through the Internet on the CMS Web site

The PFS Addenda along with other supporting documents and tables referenced in this proposed rule are available on the CMS Web site at

http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/PhysicianFeeSched/PFS-Federal-Regulation-Notices.html.

Click on the link on the left side of the screen titled, “PFS Federal Regulations Notices” for a chronological list of PFS

Federal Register

and other related documents. For the CY 2018 PFS Proposed Rule, refer to item CMS-1676-P. Readers with questions related to accessing any of the Addenda or other supporting documents referenced in this proposed rule and posted on the CMS Web site identified above should contact Jamie Hermansen at (410) 786-2064.

CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) Copyright Notice

Throughout this proposed rule, we use CPT codes and descriptions to refer to a variety of services. We note that CPT codes and descriptions are copyright 2016 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association (AMA). Applicable Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations (DFAR) apply.

I. Executive Summary

A. Purpose

This major proposed rule proposes to revise payment polices under the Medicare PFS and make other policy changes related to Medicare Part B payment, applicable to services furnished in CY 2018. In addition, this proposed rule includes proposals related to payment policy changes that are addressed in section III. of this proposed rule.

1. Summary of the Major Provisions

The statute requires us to establish payments under the PFS based on national uniform relative value units (RVUs) that account for the relative resources used in furnishing a service. The statute requires that RVUs be established for three categories of resources: Work, practice expense (PE); and malpractice (MP) expense; and, that we establish by regulation each year's payment amounts for all physicians' services paid under the PFS, incorporating geographic adjustments to reflect the variations in the costs of furnishing services in different geographic areas. In this major proposed rule, we are proposing to establish RVUs for CY 2018 for the PFS, and other Medicare Part B payment policies, to ensure that our payment systems are updated to reflect changes in medical practice and the relative value of services, as well as changes in the statute. In addition, this proposed rule includes discussions and proposals regarding:

• Potentially Misvalued Codes.

• Telehealth Services.

• Establishing Values for New, Revised, and Misvalued Codes.

• Establishing Payment Rates under the PFS for Nonexcepted Items and Services Furnished by Nonexcepted Off-Campus Provider-Based Departments of a Hospital.

• Evaluation & Management (E/M) Guidelines and Care Management Services.

• Care Coordination Services and Payment for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).

• Payment for DME Infusion Drugs.

• Solicitation of Public Comments on Initial Data Collection and Reporting Periods for Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule.

• Solicitation of Public Comments on Payment for Biosimilar Biological Products under Section 1847A of the Act.

• Appropriate Use Criteria for Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Services.

• PQRS Criteria for Satisfactory Reporting for Individual EPs and Group Practices for the 2018 PQRS Payment Adjustment.

• Medicare EHR Incentive Program.

• Medicare Shared Savings Program.

• Value-Based Payment Modifier and the Physician Feedback Program.

• MACRA Patient Relationship Categories and Codes.

• Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program.

2. Summary of Costs and Benefits

We have determined that this major proposed rule is economically significant. For a detailed discussion of the economic impacts, see section VI. of this proposed rule.

II. Provisions of the Proposed Rule for PFS

A. Background

Since January 1, 1992, Medicare has paid for physicians' services under section 1848 of the Act, “Payment for Physicians' Services.” The PFS relies on national relative values that are established for work, PE, and MP, which are adjusted for geographic cost variations. These values are multiplied by a conversion factor (CF) to convert the RVUs into payment rates. The concepts and methodology underlying the PFS were enacted as part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989 (Pub. L. 101-239, enacted on December 19, 1989) (OBRA '89), and the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-508, enacted on November 5, 1990) (OBRA '90). The final rule published on November 25, 1991 (56 FR 59502) set forth the first fee schedule used for payment for physicians' services.

We note that throughout this major proposed rule, unless otherwise noted, the term “practitioner” is used to describe both physicians and nonphysician practitioners (NPPs) who are permitted to bill Medicare under the PFS for services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries.

1. Development of the Relative Values

a. Work RVUs

The work RVUs established for the initial fee schedule, which was implemented on January 1, 1992, were developed with extensive input from the physician community. A research team at the Harvard School of Public Health developed the original work RVUs for most codes under a cooperative agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In constructing the code-specific vignettes used in determining the original physician work RVUs, Harvard worked with panels of experts, both inside and outside the federal government, and obtained input from numerous physician specialty groups.

As specified in section 1848(c)(1)(A) of the Act, the work component of physicians' services means the portion of the resources used in furnishing the service that reflects physician time and intensity. We establish work RVUs for new, revised and potentially misvalued codes based on our review of information that generally includes, but is not limited to, recommendations received from the American Medical Association/Specialty Society Relative Value Scale Update Committee (RUC), the Health Care Professionals Advisory Committee (HCPAC), the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), and other public commenters; medical literature and comparative databases; as well as a comparison of the work for other codes within the Medicare PFS, and consultation with other physicians and health care professionals within CMS and the federal government. We also assess the methodology and data used to develop the recommendations

submitted to us by the RUC and other public commenters, and the rationale for their recommendations. In the CY 2011 PFS final rule with comment period (75 FR 73328 through 73329), we discussed a variety of methodologies and approaches used to develop work RVUs, including survey data, building blocks, crosswalk to key reference or similar codes, and magnitude estimation. More information on these issues is available in that rule.

b. Practice Expense RVUs

Initially, only the work RVUs were resource-based, and the PE and MP RVUs were based on average allowable charges. Section 121 of the Social Security Act Amendments of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-432, enacted on October 31, 1994), amended section 1848(c)(2)(C)(ii) of the Act and required us to develop resource-based PE RVUs for each physicians' service beginning in 1998. We were required to consider general categories of expenses (such as office rent and wages of personnel, but excluding malpractice expenses) comprising PEs. The PE RVUs continue to represent the portion of these resources involved in furnishing PFS services.

Originally, the resource-based method was to be used beginning in 1998, but section 4505(a) of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (Pub. L. 105-33, enacted on August 5, 1997) (BBA) delayed implementation of the resource-based PE RVU system until January 1, 1999. In addition, section 4505(b) of the BBA provided for a 4-year transition period from the charge-based PE RVUs to the resource-based PE RVUs.

We established the resource-based PE RVUs for each physicians' service in a final rule, published on November 2, 1998 (63 FR 58814), effective for services furnished in CY 1999. Based on the requirement to transition to a resource-based system for PE over a 4-year period, payment rates were not fully based upon resource-based PE RVUs until CY 2002. This resource-based system was based on two significant sources of actual PE data: The Clinical Practice Expert Panel (CPEP) data; and the AMA's Socioeconomic Monitoring System (SMS) data. These data sources are described in greater detail in the CY 2012 final rule with comment period (76 FR 73033).

Separate PE RVUs are established for services furnished in facility settings, such as a hospital outpatient department (HOPD) or an ambulatory surgical center (ASC), and in nonfacility settings, such as a physician's office. The nonfacility RVUs reflect all of the direct and indirect PEs involved in furnishing a service described by a particular HCPCS code. The difference, if any, in these PE RVUs generally results in a higher payment in the nonfacility setting because in the facility settings some costs are borne by the facility. Medicare's payment to the facility (such as the outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) payment to the hospital outpatient department (HOPD)) would reflect costs typically incurred by the facility. Thus, payment associated with those facility resources is not made under the PFS.

Section 212 of the Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999 (Pub. L. 106-113, enacted on November 29, 1999) (BBRA) directed the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to establish a process under which we accept and use, to the maximum extent practicable and consistent with sound data practices, data collected or developed by entities and organizations to supplement the data we normally collect in determining the PE component. On May 3, 2000, we published the interim final rule (65 FR 25664) that set forth the criteria for the submission of these supplemental PE survey data. The criteria were modified in response to comments received, and published in the

Federal Register

(65 FR 65376) as part of a November 1, 2000 final rule. The PFS final rules published in 2001 and 2003, respectively, (66 FR 55246 and 68 FR 63196) extended the period during which we would accept these supplemental data through March 1, 2005.

In the CY 2007 PFS final rule with comment period (71 FR 69624), we revised the methodology for calculating direct PE RVUs from the top-down to the bottom-up methodology beginning in CY 2007. We adopted a 4-year transition to the new PE RVUs. This transition was completed for CY 2010. In the CY 2010 PFS final rule with comment period, we updated the practice expense per hour (PE/HR) data that are used in the calculation of PE RVUs for most specialties (74 FR 61749). In CY 2010, we began a 4-year transition to the new PE RVUs using the updated PE/HR data, which was completed for CY 2013.

c. Malpractice RVUs

Section 4505(f) of the BBA amended section 1848(c) of the Act to require that we implement resource-based MP RVUs for services furnished on or after CY 2000. The resource-based MP RVUs were implemented in the PFS final rule with comment period published November 2, 1999 (64 FR 59380). The MP RVUs are based on commercial and physician-owned insurers' malpractice insurance premium data from all the states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. For more information on MP RVUs, see section II.C. of this proposed rule.

d. Refinements to the RVUs

Section 1848(c)(2)(B)(i) of the Act requires that we review RVUs no less often than every 5 years. Prior to CY 2013, we conducted periodic reviews of work RVUs and PE RVUs independently. We completed five-year reviews of work RVUs that were effective for calendar years 1997, 2002, 2007, and 2012.

Although refinements to the direct PE inputs initially relied heavily on input from the RUC Practice Expense Advisory Committee (PEAC), the shifts to the bottom-up PE methodology in CY 2007 and to the use of the updated PE/HR data in CY 2010 have resulted in significant refinements to the PE RVUs in recent years.

In the CY 2012 PFS final rule with comment period (76 FR 73057), we finalized a proposal to consolidate reviews of work and PE RVUs under section 1848(c)(2)(B) of the Act and reviews of potentially misvalued codes under section 1848(c)(2)(K) of the Act into one annual process.

In addition to the 5-year reviews, beginning for CY 2009, CMS and the RUC have identified and reviewed a number of potentially misvalued codes on an annual basis based on various identification screens. This annual review of work and PE RVUs for potentially misvalued codes was supplemented by the amendments to section 1848 of the Act, as enacted by section 3134 of the Affordable Care Act, that require the agency to periodically identify, review and adjust values for potentially misvalued codes.

e. Application of Budget Neutrality to Adjustments of RVUs

As described in section VI.C. of this proposed rule, in accordance with section 1848(c)(2)(B)(ii)(II) of the Act, if revisions to the RVUs cause expenditures for the year to change by more than $20 million, we make adjustments to ensure that expenditures do not increase or decrease by more than $20 million.

2. Calculation of Payments Based on RVUs

To calculate the payment for each service, the components of the fee schedule (work, PE, and MP RVUs) are adjusted by geographic practice cost indices (GPCIs) to reflect the variations in the costs of furnishing the services.

The GPCIs reflect the relative costs of work, PE, and MP in an area compared to the national average costs for each component.

RVUs are converted to dollar amounts through the application of a conversion factor (CF), which is calculated based on a statutory formula by CMS's Office of the Actuary (OACT). The formula for calculating the Medicare PFS payment amount for a given service and fee schedule area can be expressed as:

Payment = [(RVU work × GPCI work) + (RVU PE × GPCI PE) + (RVU MP × GPCI MP)] × CF

3. Separate Fee Schedule Methodology for Anesthesia Services

Section 1848(b)(2)(B) of the Act specifies that the fee schedule amounts for anesthesia services are to be based on a uniform relative value guide, with appropriate adjustment of an anesthesia conversion factor, in a manner to ensure that fee schedule amounts for anesthesia services are consistent with those for other services of comparable value. Therefore, there is a separate fee schedule methodology for anesthesia services. Specifically, we establish a separate conversion factor for anesthesia services and we utilize the uniform relative value guide, or base units, as well as time units, to calculate the fee schedule amounts for anesthesia services. Since anesthesia services are not valued using RVUs, a separate methodology for locality adjustments is also necessary. This involves an adjustment to the national anesthesia CF for each payment locality.

B. Determination of Proposed Practice Expense (PE) Relative Value Units (RVUs)

1. Overview

Practice expense (PE) is the portion of the resources used in furnishing a service that reflects the general categories of physician and practitioner expenses, such as office rent and personnel wages, but excluding malpractice expenses, as specified in section 1848(c)(1)(B) of the Act. As required by section 1848(c)(2)(C)(ii) of the Act, we use a resource-based system for determining PE RVUs for each physicians' service. We develop PE RVUs by considering the direct and indirect practice resources involved in furnishing each service. Direct expense categories include clinical labor, medical supplies, and medical equipment. Indirect expenses include administrative labor, office expense, and all other expenses. The sections that follow provide more detailed information about the methodology for translating the resources involved in furnishing each service into service-specific PE RVUs. We refer readers to the CY 2010 PFS final rule with comment period (74 FR 61743 through 61748) for a more detailed explanation of the PE methodology.

2. Practice Expense Methodology

a. Direct Practice Expense

We determine the direct PE for a specific service by adding the costs of the direct resources (that is, the clinical staff, medical supplies, and medical equipment) typically involved with furnishing that service. The costs of the resources are calculated using the refined direct PE inputs assigned to each CPT code in our PE database, which are generally based on our review of recommendations received from the RUC and those provided in response to public comment periods. For a detailed explanation of the direct PE methodology, including examples, we refer readers to the 5 Year Review of Work Relative Value Units under the PFS and Proposed Changes to the Practice Expense Methodology proposed notice (71 FR 37242) and the CY 2007 PFS final rule with comment period (71 FR 69629).

b. Indirect Practice Expense per Hour Data

We use survey data on indirect PEs incurred per hour worked in developing the indirect portion of the PE RVUs. Prior to CY 2010, we primarily used the practice expense per hour (PE/HR) by specialty that was obtained from the AMA's Socioeconomic Monitoring Surveys (SMS). The AMA administered a new survey in CY 2007 and CY 2008, the Physician Practice Expense Information Survey (PPIS). The PPIS is a multispecialty, nationally representative, PE survey of both physicians and nonphysician practitioners (NPPs) paid under the PFS using a survey instrument and methods highly consistent with those used for the SMS and the supplemental surveys. The PPIS gathered information from 3,656 respondents across 51 physician specialty and health care professional groups. We believe the PPIS is the most comprehensive source of PE survey information available. We used the PPIS data to update the PE/HR data for the CY 2010 PFS for almost all of the Medicare-recognized specialties that participated in the survey.

When we began using the PPIS data in CY 2010, we did not change the PE RVU methodology itself or the manner in which the PE/HR data are used in that methodology. We only updated the PE/HR data based on the new survey. Furthermore, as we explained in the CY 2010 PFS final rule with comment period (74 FR 61751), because of the magnitude of payment reductions for some specialties resulting from the use of the PPIS data, we transitioned its use over a 4-year period from the previous PE RVUs to the PE RVUs developed using the new PPIS data. As provided in the CY 2010 PFS final rule with comment period (74 FR 61751), the transition to the PPIS data was complete for CY 2013. Therefore, PE RVUs from CY 2013 forward are developed based entirely on the PPIS data, except as noted in this section.

Section 1848(c)(2)(H)(i) of the Act requires us to use the medical oncology supplemental survey data submitted in 2003 for oncology drug administration services. Therefore, the PE/HR for medical oncology, hematology, and hematology/oncology reflects the continued use of these supplemental survey data.

Supplemental survey data on independent labs from the College of American Pathologists were implemented for payments beginning in CY 2005. Supplemental survey data from the National Coalition of Quality Diagnostic Imaging Services (NCQDIS), representing independent diagnostic testing facilities (IDTFs), were blended with supplementary survey data from the American College of Radiology (ACR) and implemented for payments beginning in CY 2007. Neither IDTFs, nor independent labs, participated in the PPIS. Therefore, we continue to use the PE/HR that was developed from their supplemental survey data.

Consistent with our past practice, the previous indirect PE/HR values from the supplemental surveys for these specialties were updated to CY 2006 using the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) to put them on a comparable basis with the PPIS data.

We also do not use the PPIS data for reproductive endocrinology and spine surgery since these specialties currently are not separately recognized by Medicare, nor do we have a method to blend the PPIS data with Medicare-recognized specialty data.

Previously, we established PE/HR values for various specialties without SMS or supplemental survey data by crosswalking them to other similar specialties to estimate a proxy PE/HR. For specialties that were part of the PPIS for which we previously used a crosswalked PE/HR, we instead used the PPIS-based PE/HR. We use crosswalks for specialties that did not participate in the PPIS. These crosswalks have been generally established through notice and

comment rulemaking and are available in the file called “CY 2018 PFS Proposed Rule PE/HR” on the CMS Web site under downloads for the CY 2018 PFS proposed rule at

http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/PhysicianFeeSched/PFS-Federal-Regulation-Notices.html.

c. Allocation of PE to Services

To establish PE RVUs for specific services, it is necessary to establish the direct and indirect PE associated with each service.

(1) Direct Costs

The relative relationship between the direct cost portions of the PE RVUs for any two services is determined by the relative relationship between the sum of the direct cost resources (that is, the clinical staff, medical supplies, and medical equipment) typically involved with furnishing each of the services. The costs of these resources are calculated from the refined direct PE inputs in our PE database. For example, if one service has a direct cost sum of $400 from our PE database and another service has a direct cost sum of $200, the direct portion of the PE RVUs of the first service would be twice as much as the direct portion of the PE RVUs for the second service.

(2) Indirect Costs

We allocate the indirect costs to the code level on the basis of the direct costs specifically associated with a code and the greater of either the clinical labor costs or the work RVUs. We also incorporate the survey data described earlier in the PE/HR discussion (see section II.B.2.b of this proposed rule). The general approach to developing the indirect portion of the PE RVUs is as follows:

• For a given service, we use the direct portion of the PE RVUs calculated as previously described and the average percentage that direct costs represent of total costs (based on survey data) across the specialties that furnish the service to determine an initial indirect allocator. That is, the initial indirect allocator is calculated so that the direct costs equal the average percentage of direct costs of those specialties furnishing the service. For example, if the direct portion of the PE RVUs for a given service is 2.00 and direct costs, on average, represent 25 percent of total costs for the specialties that furnish the service, the initial indirect allocator would be calculated so that it equals 75 percent of the total PE RVUs. Thus, in this example, the initial indirect allocator would equal 6.00, resulting in a total PE RVU of 8.00 (2.00 is 25 percent of 8.00 and 6.00 is 75 percent of 8.00).

• Next, we add the greater of the work RVUs or clinical labor portion of the direct portion of the PE RVUs to this initial indirect allocator. In our example, if this service had a work RVU of 4.00 and the clinical labor portion of the direct PE RVU was 1.50, we would add 4.00 (since the 4.00 work RVUs are greater than the 1.50 clinical labor portion) to the initial indirect allocator of 6.00 to get an indirect allocator of 10.00. In the absence of any further use of the survey data, the relative relationship between the indirect cost portions of the PE RVUs for any two services would be determined by the relative relationship between these indirect cost allocators. For example, if one service had an indirect cost allocator of 10.00 and another service had an indirect cost allocator of 5.00, the indirect portion of the PE RVUs of the first service would be twice as great as the indirect portion of the PE RVUs for the second service.

• Next, we incorporated the specialty-specific indirect PE/HR data into the calculation. In our example, if, based on the survey data, the average indirect cost of the specialties furnishing the first service with an allocator of 10.00 was half of the average indirect cost of the specialties furnishing the second service with an indirect allocator of 5.00, the indirect portion of the PE RVUs of the first service would be equal to that of the second service.

(3) Facility and Nonfacility Costs

For procedures that can be furnished in a physician's office, as well as in a facility setting, where Medicare makes a separate payment to the facility for its costs in furnishing a service, we establish two PE RVUs: Facility, and nonfacility. The methodology for calculating PE RVUs is the same for both the facility and nonfacility RVUs, but is applied independently to yield two separate PE RVUs. In calculating the PE RVUs for services furnished in a facility, we do not include resources that would generally not be provided by physicians when furnishing the service. For this reason, the facility PE RVUs are generally lower than the nonfacility PE RVUs.

(4) Services With Technical Components and Professional Components

Diagnostic services are generally comprised of two components: A professional component (PC) and a technical component (TC). The PC and TC may be furnished independently or by different providers, or they may be furnished together as a global service. When services have separately billable PC and TC components, the payment for the global service equals the sum of the payment for the TC and PC. To achieve this, we use a weighted average of the ratio of indirect to direct costs across all the specialties that furnish the global service, TCs, and PCs; that is, we apply the same weighted average indirect percentage factor to allocate indirect expenses to the global service, PCs, and TCs for a service. (The direct PE RVUs for the TC and PC sum to the global.)

(5) PE RVU Methodology

For a more detailed description of the PE RVU methodology, we refer readers to the CY 2010 PFS final rule with comment period (74 FR 61745 through 61746). We also direct interested readers to the file called “Calculation of PE RVUs under Methodology for Selected Codes” which is available on our Web site under downloads for the CY 2018 PFS proposed rule at

http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/PhysicianFeeSched/PFS-Federal-Regulation-Notices.html.

This file contains a table that illustrates the calculation of PE RVUs as described in this proposed rule for individual codes.

(a) Setup File

First, we create a setup file for the PE methodology. The setup file contains the direct cost inputs, the utilization for each procedure code at the specialty and facility/nonfacility place of service level, and the specialty-specific PE/HR data calculated from the surveys.

(b) Calculate the Direct Cost PE RVUs

Sum the costs of each direct input.

Step 1:

Sum the direct costs of the inputs for each service.

Step 2:

Calculate the aggregate pool of direct PE costs for the current year. We set the aggregate pool of PE costs equal to the product of the ratio of the current aggregate PE RVUs to current aggregate work RVUs and the proposed aggregate work RVUs.

Step 3:

Calculate the aggregate pool of direct PE costs for use in ratesetting. This is the product of the aggregate direct costs for all services from Step 1 and the utilization data for that service.

Step 4:

Using the results of Step 2 and Step 3, use the conversion factor to calculate a direct PE scaling adjustment to ensure that the aggregate pool of direct PE costs calculated in Step 3 does not vary from the aggregate pool of direct PE costs for the current year. Apply the scaling adjustment to the direct costs for each service (as calculated in Step 1).

Step 5:

Convert the results of Step 4 to a RVU scale for each service. To do this, divide the results of Step 4 by the conversion factor (CF). Note that the actual value of the CF used in this calculation does not influence the final direct cost PE RVUs as long as the same CF is used in Step 4 and Step 5. Different CFs would result in different direct PE scaling adjustments, but this has no effect on the final direct cost PE RVUs since changes in the CFs and changes in the associated direct scaling adjustments offset one another.

Create indirect allocators.

Step 6:

Based on the survey data, calculate direct and indirect PE percentages for each physician specialty.

Step 7:

Calculate direct and indirect PE percentages at the service level by taking a weighted average of the results of Step 6 for the specialties that furnish the service. Note that for services with TCs and PCs, the direct and indirect percentages for a given service do not vary by the PC, TC, and global service.

We generally use an average of the 3 most recent years of available Medicare claims data to determine the specialty mix assigned to each code. Prior to implementing that policy, we used the most recent year of available claims data to determine the specialty mix assigned to each code.

Under either of these approaches, codes with low Medicare service volume require special attention since billing or enrollment irregularities for a given year can result in significant changes in specialty mix assignment. Prior to adopting the 3-year average of data, for low-volume services (fewer than 100 Medicare allowed services), we assigned the values associated with the specialty that most frequently reported the service in the most recent claims data (dominant specialty). For some time, stakeholders, including the RUC, have requested that we use a recommended “expected” specialty for all low volume services instead of the information contained in the claims data. Currently, in the development of PE RVUs we use “expected specialty” overrides for only several dozen services based on several code-specific policies we established in prior rulemaking. As we stated in the CY 2016 final rule with comment period (80 FR 70894), we hoped that the 3-year average would mitigate the need to use dominant or expected specialty instead of the specialty identified using claims data. Because we incorporated CY 2015 claims data for use in the CY 2017 proposed rates, we believe that the finalized PE RVUs associated with the CY 2017 PFS final rule provided a first opportunity to determine whether service-level overrides of claims data are necessary.

Although we believe that the use of the 3-year average of claims data to determine specialty mix has led to an improvement in the stability of PE and MP RVUs from year to year, after reviewing the RVUs for low volume services, we continue to see possible distortions and wide variability from year to year in PE and MP RVUs for low volume services. Several stakeholders have suggested that CMS implement service-level overrides based on the expected specialty in order to determine the specialty mix for these low volume procedures. The RUC previously supplied us with a list of nearly 2,000 lower volume codes and their suggested specialty overrides. After reviewing the finalized PE RVUs for the CY 2017 PFS final rule, we agree that the use of service-level overrides for low volume services would help mitigate annual fluctuations and provide greater stability in the valuation of these services. While the use of the 3-year average of claims data to determine specialty mix has helped to mitigate some of the year-to-year variability for low volume services, it has not fully mitigated what appear to be anomalies for many of these lower volume codes.

We are, therefore, proposing to use the most recent year of claims data to determine which codes are low volume for the coming year (those that have fewer than 100 allowed services in the Medicare claims data). For codes that fall into this category, instead of assigning specialty mix based on the specialties of the practitioners reporting the services in the claims data, we are proposing to instead use the expected specialty that we identify on a list. For CY 2018, we are proposing to use a list that was developed based on our medical review of the list most recently recommended by the RUC, in addition to our own proposed expected specialty for certain other low-volume codes for which we have historically used expected specialty assignments. We would display this list as part of the annual set of data files we make available as part of notice and comment rulemaking. We propose to consider recommendations from the RUC and other stakeholders on changes to this list on an annual basis.

We are also proposing to apply these service-level overrides for both PE and MP, rather than one or the other category. We believe that this would simplify the implementation of service-level overrides for PE and MP, and would also address stakeholder concerns about the year-to-year variability for low volume services. We are soliciting public comment on the proposal to use service-level overrides to determine the specialty mix for low volume procedures, as well as on the proposed list of expected specialty overrides itself, which is largely based on the recommendations submitted by the RUC last year. The proposed list of expected specialty assignments for individual low volume services is available on our Web site under downloads for the CY 2018 PFS proposed rule at

http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/PhysicianFeeSched/PFS-Federal-Regulation-Notices.html.

Services for which the specialty is automatically assigned based on previously finalized policies under our established methodology (for example, “always therapy” services) would be unaffected by this proposal.

Step 8:

Calculate the service level allocators for the indirect PEs based on the percentages calculated in Step 7. The indirect PEs are allocated based on the three components: the direct PE RVUs; the clinical labor PE RVUs; and the work RVUs.

For most services the indirect allocator is: indirect PE percentage * (direct PE RVUs/direct percentage) + work RVUs.

There are two situations where this formula is modified:

• If the service is a global service (that is, a service with global, professional, and technical components), then the indirect PE allocator is: indirect percentage (direct PE RVUs/direct percentage) + clinical labor PE RVUs + work RVUs.

• If the clinical labor PE RVUs exceed the work RVUs (and the service is not a global service), then the indirect allocator is: indirect PE percentage (direct PE RVUs/direct percentage) + clinical labor PE RVUs.

(

Note:

For global services, the indirect PE allocator is based on both the work RVUs and the clinical labor PE RVUs. We do this to recognize that, for the PC service, indirect PEs would be allocated using the work RVUs, and for the TC service, indirect PEs would be allocated using the direct PE RVUs and the clinical labor PE RVUs. This also allows the global component RVUs to equal the sum of the PC and TC RVUs.)

For presentation purposes, in the examples in the download file called “Calculation of PE RVUs under Methodology for Selected Codes”, the formulas were divided into two parts for each service.

• The first part does not vary by service and is the indirect percentage (direct PE RVUs/direct percentage).

• The second part is either the work RVU, clinical labor PE RVU, or both depending on whether the service is a global service and whether the clinical PE RVUs exceed the work RVUs (as described earlier in this step).

Apply a scaling adjustment to the indirect allocators.

Step 9:

Calculate the current aggregate pool of indirect PE RVUs by multiplying the result of Step 8 by the average indirect PE percentage from the survey data.

Step 10:

Calculate an aggregate pool of indirect PE RVUs for all PFS services by adding the product of the indirect PE allocators for a service from Step 8 and the utilization data for that service.

Step 11:

Using the results of Step 9 and Step 10, calculate an indirect PE adjustment so that the aggregate indirect allocation does not exceed the available aggregate indirect PE RVUs and apply it to indirect allocators calculated in Step 8.

Calculate the indirect practice cost index.

Step 12:

Using the results of Step 11, calculate aggregate pools of specialty-specific adjusted indirect PE allocators for all PFS services for a specialty by adding the product of the adjusted indirect PE allocator for each service and the utilization data for that service.

Step 13:

Using the specialty-specific indirect PE/HR data, calculate specialty-specific aggregate pools of indirect PE for all PFS services for that specialty by adding the product of the indirect PE/HR for the specialty, the work time for the service, and the specialty's utilization for the service across all services furnished by the specialty.

Step 14:

Using the results of Step 12 and Step 13, calculate the specialty-specific indirect PE scaling factors.

Step 15:

Using the results of Step 14, calculate an indirect practice cost index at the specialty level by dividing each specialty-specific indirect scaling factor by the average indirect scaling factor for the entire PFS.

Step 16:

Calculate the indirect practice cost index at the service level to ensure the capture of all indirect costs. Calculate a weighted average of the practice cost index values for the specialties that furnish the service. (Note: For services with TCs and PCs, we calculate the indirect practice cost index across the global service, PCs, and TCs. Under this method, the indirect practice cost index for a given service (for example, echocardiogram) does not vary by the PC, TC, and global service.)

Step 17:

Apply the service level indirect practice cost index calculated in Step 16 to the service level adjusted indirect allocators calculated in Step 11 to get the indirect PE RVUs.

(d) Calculate the Final PE RVUs

Step 18:

Add the direct PE RVUs from Step 5 to the indirect PE RVUs from Step 17 and apply the final PE budget neutrality (BN) adjustment. The final PE BN adjustment is calculated by comparing the sum of steps 5 and 17 to the proposed aggregate work RVUs scaled by the ratio of current aggregate PE and work RVUs. This adjustment ensures that all PE RVUs in the PFS account for the fact that certain specialties are excluded from the calculation of PE RVUs but included in maintaining overall PFS budget neutrality. (See “Specialties excluded from ratesetting calculation” later in this proposed rule.)

Step 19:

Apply the phase-in of significant RVU reductions and its associated adjustment. Section 1848(c)(7) of the Act specifies that for services that are not new or revised codes, if the total RVUs for a service for a year would otherwise be decreased by an estimated 20 percent or more as compared to the total RVUs for the previous year, the applicable adjustments in work, PE, and MP RVUs shall be phased in over a 2-year period. In implementing the phase-in, we consider a 19 percent reduction as the maximum 1-year reduction for any service not described by a new or revised code. This approach limits the year one reduction for the service to the maximum allowed amount (that is, 19 percent), and then phases in the remainder of the reduction. To comply with section 1848(c)(7) of the Act, we adjust the PE RVUs to ensure that the total RVUs for all services that are not new or revised codes decrease by no more than 19 percent, and then apply a relativity adjustment to ensure that the total pool of aggregate PE RVUs remains relative to the pool of work and MP RVUs. For a more detailed description of the methodology for the phase-in of significant RVU changes, we refer readers to the CY 2016 PFS final rule with comment period (80 FR 70927 through 70931).

(e) Setup File Information

•

Specialties excluded from ratesetting calculation:

For the purposes of calculating the PE RVUs, we exclude certain specialties, such as certain NPPs paid at a percentage of the PFS and low-volume specialties, from the calculation. These specialties are included for the purposes of calculating the BN adjustment. They are displayed in Table 1.

TABLE 1—Specialties Excluded From Ratesetting Calculation

Specialty code

Specialty description

Ambulatory surgical center.

Nurse practitioner.

Medical supply company with certified orthotist.

Medical supply company with certified prosthetist.

Medical supply company with certified prosthetist-orthotist.

Medical supply company not included in 51, 52, or 53.

Individual certified orthotist.

Individual certified prosthetist.

Individual certified prosthetist-orthotist.

Medical supply company with registered pharmacist.

Ambulance service supplier,

e.g.

, private ambulance companies, funeral homes, etc.

Public health or welfare agencies.

Voluntary health or charitable agencies.

Mass immunization roster biller.

Radiation therapy centers.

All other suppliers (

e.g.

, drug and department stores).

Unknown supplier/provider specialty.

Certified clinical nurse specialist.

Optician.

Physician assistant.

Hospital.

SNF.

Intermediate care nursing facility.

Nursing facility, other.

HHA.

Pharmacy.

Medical supply company with respiratory therapist.

Department store.

Pedorthic personnel.

Medical supply company with pedorthic personnel.

•

Crosswalk certain low volume physician specialties:

Crosswalk the utilization of certain specialties with relatively low PFS utilization to the associated specialties.

•

Physical therapy utilization:

Crosswalk the utilization associated with all physical therapy services to the specialty of physical therapy.

•

Identify professional and technical services not identified under the usual TC and 26 modifiers:

Flag the services that are PC and TC services but do not use TC and 26 modifiers (for example, electrocardiograms). This flag associates the PC and TC with the associated global code for use in creating the indirect PE RVUs. For example, the professional service, CPT code 93010 (Electrocardiogram, routine ECG with at least 12 leads; interpretation and report only), is associated with the global service, CPT code 93000 (Electrocardiogram, routine ECG with at least 12 leads; with interpretation and report).

•

Payment modifiers:

Payment modifiers are accounted for in the creation of the file consistent with current payment policy as implemented in claims processing. For example, services billed with the assistant at surgery modifier are paid 16 percent of the PFS amount for that service; therefore, the utilization file is modified to only account for 16 percent of any service that contains the assistant at surgery modifier. Similarly, for those services to which volume adjustments are made to account for the payment modifiers, time adjustments are applied as well. For time adjustments to surgical services, the intraoperative portion in the work time file is used; where it is not present, the intraoperative percentage from the payment files used by contractors to process Medicare claims is used instead. Where neither is available, we use the payment adjustment ratio to adjust the time accordingly. Table 2 details the manner in which the modifiers are applied.

Table 2—Application of Payment Modifiers to Utilization Files

Modifier

Description

Volume adjustment

Time adjustment

80,81,82

Assistant at Surgery

16%

Intraoperative portion.

Assistant at Surgery—Physician Assistant

14% (85% * 16%)

Intraoperative portion.

50 or LT and RT

Bilateral Surgery

150%

150% of work time.

Multiple Procedure

50%

Intraoperative portion.

Reduced Services

50%

50%.

Discontinued Procedure

50%

50%.

Intraoperative Care only

Preoperative + Intraoperative Percentages on the payment files used by Medicare contractors to process Medicare claims

Preoperative + Intraoperative portion.

Postoperative Care only

Postoperative Percentage on the payment files used by Medicare contractors to process Medicare claims

Postoperative portion.

Co-surgeons

62.5%

50%.

Team Surgeons

33%

33%.

We also make adjustments to volume and time that correspond to other payment rules, including special multiple procedure endoscopy rules and multiple procedure payment reductions (MPPRs). We note that section 1848(c)(2)(B)(v) of the Act exempts certain reduced payments for multiple imaging procedures and multiple therapy services from the BN calculation under section 1848(c)(2)(B)(ii)(II) of the Act. These MPPRs are not included in the development of the RVUs.

For anesthesia services, we do not apply adjustments to volume since we use the average allowed charge when simulating RVUs; therefore, the RVUs as calculated already reflect the payments as adjusted by modifiers, and no volume adjustments are necessary. However, a time adjustment of 33 percent is made only for medical direction of two to four cases since that is the only situation where a single practitioner is involved with multiple beneficiaries concurrently, so that counting each service without regard to the overlap with other services would overstate the amount of time spent by the practitioner furnishing these services.

•

Work RVUs:

The setup file contains the work RVUs from this proposed rule.

(6) Equipment Cost per Minute

The equipment cost per minute is calculated as:

(1/(minutes per year * usage)) * price * ((interest rate/(1−(1/((1 + interest rate)^ life of equipment)))) + maintenance)

Where:

minutes per year = maximum minutes per year if usage were continuous (that is, usage=1); generally 150,000 minutes.

usage = variable, see discussion in this proposed rule.

price = price of the particular piece of equipment.

life of equipment = useful life of the particular piece of equipment.

maintenance = factor for maintenance; 0.05.

interest rate = variable, see discussion in this proposed rule.

Usage:

We currently use an equipment utilization rate assumption of 50 percent for most equipment, with the exception of expensive diagnostic imaging equipment, for which we use a 90 percent assumption as required by section 1848(b)(4)(C) of the Act.

Stakeholders have often suggested that particular equipment items are used less frequently than 50 percent of the time in the typical setting and that CMS should reduce the equipment utilization rate based on these recommendations. We appreciate and share stakeholders' interest in using the most accurate assumption regarding the equipment utilization rate for particular equipment items. However, we believe that absent robust, objective, auditable data regarding the use of particular items, the 50 percent assumption is the most appropriate within the relative value system. We welcome the submission of data that illustrates an alternative rate.

Maintenance:

This factor for maintenance was finalized in the CY 1998 PFS final rule with comment period (62 FR 33164). We continue to investigate potential avenues for determining equipment maintenance costs across a broad range of equipment items.

Interest Rate:

In the CY 2013 PFS final rule with comment period (77 FR 68902), we updated the interest rates used in developing an equipment cost per minute calculation (see 77 FR 68902 for a thorough discussion of this issue). The interest rate was based on the Small Business Administration (SBA) maximum interest rates for different categories of loan size (equipment cost) and maturity (useful life). We are not proposing any changes to these interest rates for CY 2018. The interest rates are listed in Table 3.

Table 3—SBA Maximum Interest Rates

Price

Useful life

Interest rate

(%)

<$25K

<7 Years

7.50

$25K to $50K

<7 Years

6.50

>$50K

<7 Years

5.50

<$25K

7+ Years

8.00

$25K to $50K

7+ Years

7.00

>$50K

7+ Years

6.00

3. Changes to Direct PE Inputs for Specific Services

This section focuses on specific PE inputs. The direct PE inputs are included in the CY 2018 direct PE input database, which is available on the CMS Web site under downloads for the CY 2018 PFS proposed rule at

http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/PhysicianFeeSched/PFS-Federal-Regulation-Notices.html.

(a) PE Inputs for Digital Imaging Services

In the CY 2017 PFS final rule (81 FR 80179 through 80184), we finalized our proposal to add a professional PACS workstation (ED053) used for interpretation of digital images to a series of CPT codes and to address costs related to the use of film that had previously been incorporated as direct PE inputs for these services. We finalized the following criteria for the inclusion of a professional PACS workstation:

• We did not add the professional PACS workstation to any code that currently lacks a technical PACS workstation (ED050) or lacks a work RVU. We continue to believe that procedures that do not include a technical workstation, or do not have physician work, would not require a professional workstation.

• We did not add the professional PACS workstation to add-on codes. Because the base codes include equipment minutes for the professional PACS workstation, we continue to believe it would be duplicative to add additional equipment time for the professional PACS workstation in the add-on code.

• We also did not add the professional PACS workstation to image guidance codes where the dominant provider is not a radiologist according to the most recent year of claims data, because we believe a single technical PACS workstation would be more typical in those cases.

• We agreed with commenters that because the clinical utility of the PACS workstation is not necessarily limited to diagnostic services, there may be therapeutic codes where it would be reasonable to assume its use to be typical. Based on information provided by commenters and our own medical review, we stated that we believe that the use of the professional PACS workstation is typical for many of the specific codes that were identified. We added the workstation to many of the therapeutic codes requested by commenters, specifically CPT codes listed outside the 70000 series, where we agreed that use of the professional PACS workstation was typical.

• For CPT codes in the 80000 and 90000 series, we expressed our concerns about whether it is appropriate to include the technical PACS workstation in many of these services. PACS workstations were created for imaging purposes, but many of these services that include a technical PACS workstation do not appear to make use of imaging. Although we did not remove the technical PACS workstation from these codes at that time, we did not believe that a professional PACS workstation should be added to these procedures.

Prior to the publication of this CY 2018 PFS proposed rule, a stakeholder expressed concern about our decision not to include the professional PACS workstation in a series of vascular ultrasound codes that use technical PACS workstations. The stakeholder indicated that the vascular ultrasound codes in question do make use of a professional PACS workstation, and that the dominant specialty provider requirement (that is, that the code's dominant specialty provider being diagnostic radiology) would exclude codes for which the professional PACS workstation is typical based on a mistaken assumption. The stakeholder stated that to furnish vascular ultrasound services following the transition from film to digital imaging, both a technical and a professional PACS workstation are required, regardless of whether the practitioner furnishing the service is a radiologist, cardiologist, neurologist, or vascular surgeon.

We appreciate the submission of this additional information regarding the use of the professional PACS workstation in vascular ultrasound codes. Therefore, we seek comments regarding whether or not the use of the professional PACS workstation would be typical in the following list of CPT and HCPCS codes. The codes brought to our attention by the stakeholder are CPT codes 93880, 93882, 93886, 93888, 93890, 93892, 93893, 93922, 93923, 93924, 93925, 93926, 93930, 93931, 93965, 93970, 93971, 93975, 93976, 93978, 93979, 93980, 93981, 93990, and 76706, and HCPCS code G0365. We will consider information submitted in comments to determine whether the professional

PACS workstation should be included as a direct PE input for these codes.

(2) Standardization of Clinical Labor Tasks

As we noted in the CY 2015 PFS final rule with comment period (79 FR 67640-67641), we continue to make improvements to the direct PE input database to provide the number of clinical labor minutes assigned for each task for every code in the database instead of only including the number of clinical labor minutes for the preservice, service, and postservice periods for each code. In addition to increasing the transparency of the information used to set PE RVUs, this improvement would allow us to compare clinical labor times for activities associated with services across the PFS, which we believe is important to maintaining the relativity of the direct PE inputs. This information would facilitate the identification of the usual numbers of minutes for clinical labor tasks and the identification of exceptions to the usual values. It would also allow for greater transparency and consistency in the assignment of equipment minutes based on clinical labor times. Finally, we believe that the information can be useful in maintaining standard times for particular clinical labor tasks that can be applied consistently to many codes as they are valued over several years, similar in principle to the use of physician preservice time packages. We believe such standards would provide greater consistency among codes that share the same clinical labor tasks and could improve relativity of values among codes. For example, as medical practice and technologies change over time, changes in the standards could be updated simultaneously for all codes with the applicable clinical labor tasks, instead of waiting for individual codes to be reviewed.

In the following paragraphs, we address a series of issues related to clinical labor tasks, particularly relevant to services currently being reviewed under the misvalued code initiative.

a. Preservice Clinical Labor for 0-Day and 10-Day Global Services

Several years ago, the RUC's PE Subcommittee reviewed the preservice clinical labor times for CPT codes with 0-day and 10-day global periods. The RUC concluded that these codes are assumed to have no preservice clinical staff time (standard time of 0 minutes) unless the specialty can provide evidence that the preservice time is appropriate. In other words, for minor procedures, it is assumed that there is no clinical staff time typically spent preparing for the specific procedure prior to the patient's arrival. However, we note that for CY 2018, 41 of the 53 reviewed codes with 0-day or 10-day global periods include preservice clinical labor of some kind, suggesting that it is typical for clinical staff to prepare for the procedure prior to the patient's arrival. As we review misvalued codes, we believe that the general adherence to values that we have established as standards supports relativity within the PFS. Because 77 percent of the reviewed codes for the current calendar year deviate from the “standard,” we are seeking comment on the value and appropriate application of the standard in our review of RUC recommendations in future rulemaking. In reviewing the inputs included in the direct PE inputs database, we found that for the 1,142 total 0-day global codes, 741 of them had preservice clinical labor of some kind (65 percent). We also noticed a general correlation between preservice clinical labor time and the recent review. We are seeking comment specifically on whether the standard preservice clinical labor time of 0 minutes should be consistently applied for 0-day and 10-day global codes in future rulemaking.

b. Obtain Vital Signs Clinical Labor

The direct PE inputs for each CPT code paid under the PFS include minutes assigned to a series of standard clinical labor tasks assumed to be typical for the service in question. The minutes assigned to each of these tasks for each CPT code have been developed over several decades, and what was previously considered to be a standard value in the review of the codes has changed over time. Because each year we perform a detailed review of all of the inputs for only several hundred of the over 7,000 CPT codes paid under the PFS, valuation for individual services can be influenced by shifts in review standards over time rather than purely based on changes in practice.

For example, we traditionally assigned a clinical labor time of 3 minutes for the “Obtain vital signs” clinical labor activity, based on the amount of time typically required to check a patient's vitals. Over time, that number of minutes has increased as codes are reviewed. For example, many of the reviewed codes for the current CY 2018 rulemaking cycle have a recommended clinical labor time of 5 minutes for “Obtain vital signs,” based on the understanding that these services are measuring two additional vital signs: The patient's height and weight. We do not have any reason to believe that measuring a patient's height and weight is only typical for services described by recently reviewed codes. Instead, we believe that the review standards have changed, perhaps in conjunction with changes in medical practice, and that the change in the minutes assigned for the “Obtain vital signs” task for newer-reviewed services is detrimental to relativity among PFS services.

Therefore, to preserve relativity among the PFS codes, we are proposing to assign 5 minutes of clinical labor time for all codes that include the “Obtain vital signs” task, regardless of the date of last review. We are proposing to assign this 5 minutes of clinical labor time for all codes that include at least 1 minute previously assigned to this task. We are also proposing to update the equipment times of the codes with this clinical labor task accordingly to match the changes in clinical labor time. For codes that were not recently reviewed and for which we lacked a breakdown of how the equipment time was derived from the clinical labor tasks, we could not determine if the equipment time included time assigned for the “Obtain vital signs” task. In these cases, we are proposing to adjust the equipment time of any equipment item that matched the clinical labor time of the full service period to match the change in the “Obtain vital signs” clinical labor time. The proposed list of all codes affected by these proposed vital signs changes to direct PE inputs is available on the CMS Web site under downloads for the CY 2018 PFS proposed rule at

http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/PhysicianFeeSched/PFS-Federal-Regulation-Notices.html.

c. Establishment of Clinical Labor Activity Codes

Historically, the RUC has submitted a “PE worksheet” that details the recommended direct PE inputs for our use in developing PE RVUs. The format of the PE worksheet has varied over time and among the medical specialties developing the recommendations. These variations have made it difficult for both the RUC's development and our review of code values for individual codes. Beginning for the CY 2019 PFS rulemaking cycle, we understand that the RUC intends to mandate the use of a new PE worksheet for purposes of their recommendation development process that standardizes the clinical labor tasks and assigns them a clinical labor activity code. We believe the RUC's use of the new PE worksheet in developing and submitting recommendations to us would, in turn, help us to simplify and standardize the hundreds of different clinical labor tasks

currently listed in our direct PE database.

To help facilitate this transition to the new clinical labor activity codes, we have developed a crosswalk to link the old clinical labor tasks to the new clinical labor activity codes. Our crosswalk is for informational purposes only, and would not change either the direct PE input values or the PE RVUs for codes. Instead, we hope that the crosswalk would help us to translate the sprawling, existing data set into a condensed version that would significantly improve the standardization of clinical labor recommendations and improve the ability of commenters to identify concerns with our proposed valuation. For CY 2018 rulemaking, we are displaying two versions of the Labor Task Detail public use file: One version with the old listing of clinical labor tasks, and one with the same tasks as described by the new listing of clinical labor activity codes. These lists are available on the CMS Web site under downloads for the CY 2018 PFS proposed rule at

http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/PhysicianFeeSched/PFS-Federal-Regulation-Notices.html.

(3) Equipment Recommendations for Scope Systems

During our routine reviews of direct PE input recommendations, we have regularly found unexplained inconsistencies involving the use of scopes and the video systems associated with them. Some of the scopes include video systems bundled into the equipment item, some of them include scope accessories as part of their price, and some of them are standalone scopes with no other equipment included. It is not always clear which equipment items related to scopes fall into which of these categories. We have also frequently found anomalies in the equipment recommendations, with equipment items that consist of a scope and video system bundle recommended, along with a separate scope video system. Based on our review, the variations do not appear to be consistent with the different code descriptions.

To promote appropriate relativity among the services and facilitate the transparency of our review process, during review of recommended direct PE inputs for the CY 2017 PFS proposed rule, we developed a structure that separates the scope and the associated video system as distinct equipment items for each code. Under this approach, we proposed standalone prices for each scope, and separate prices for the video systems that are used with scopes. We proposed to define the scope video system as including: (1) A monitor; (2) a processor; (3) a form of digital capture; (4) a cart; and (5) a printer. We believe that these equipment components represent the typical case for a scope video system. Our model for this system was the “video system, endoscopy (processor, digital capture, monitor, printer, cart)” equipment item (ES031), which we proposed to re-price as part of this separate pricing approach. We obtained current pricing invoices for the endoscopy video system as part of our investigation of these issues involving scopes, which we proposed to use for this re-pricing. We understand that there may be other accessories associated with the use of scopes; we proposed to separately price any scope accessories, and individually evaluate their inclusion or exclusion as direct PE inputs for particular codes as usual under our current policy based on whether they are typically used in furnishing the services described by the particular codes.

We also proposed standardizing refinements to the way scopes have been defined in the direct PE input database. We believe that there are four general types of scopes: non-video scopes; flexible scopes; semi-rigid scopes, and rigid scopes. Flexible scopes, semi-rigid scopes, and rigid scopes would typically be paired with one of the scope video systems, while the non-video scopes would not. The flexible scopes can be further divided into diagnostic (or non-channeled) and therapeutic (or channeled) scopes. We proposed to identify for each anatomical application: (1) A rigid scope; (2) a semi-rigid scope; (3) a non-video flexible scope; (4) a non-channeled flexible video scope; and (5) a channeled flexible video scope. We proposed to classify the existing scopes in our direct PE database under this classification system, to improve the transparency of our review process and improve appropriate relativity among the services. We planned to propose input prices for these equipment items through future rulemaking.

We proposed these changes only for the reviewed codes for CY 2017 that made use of scopes, along with updated prices for the equipment items related to scopes utilized by these services. But, we did not propose to apply these policies to codes with inputs reviewed prior to CY 2017. We also solicited comment on this separate pricing structure for scopes, scope video systems, and scope accessories, which we could consider proposing to apply to other codes in future rulemaking. In response to comments, we finalized the addition of a digital capture device to the endoscopy video system (ES031) in the CY 2017 PFS final rule. We finalized our proposal to price the system at $33,391, based on component prices of $9,000 for the processor, $18,346 for the digital capture device, $2,000 for the monitor, $2,295 for the printer, and $1,750 for the cart. We also finalized a price of $16,843.87 for the stroboscopy system scope accessory (ES065). We did not finalize price increases for a series of other scopes and scope accessories, as the invoices submitted for these components indicated that they are different forms of equipment with different product IDs and different prices. We did not receive any data to indicate that the equipment on the newly submitted invoices was more typical in its use than the equipment that we were currently using for pricing.

We did not make further changes to existing scope equipment in CY 2017 in order to allow the RUC's PE Subcommittee the opportunity to provide feedback. However, we believe there was some miscommunication on this point, as the RUC's PE Subcommittee workgroup that was created to address scope systems stated that no further action was required following the finalization of our proposal. We are making further proposals to continue clarifying scope equipment inputs, and seek comments regarding the new set of scope proposals. We welcome feedback from all stakeholders, including practitioners with direct experience in the use of scope equipment.

We are seeking comment on several potential categories of scope system PE inputs. We are considering creating a single scope equipment code for each of the five categories detailed in this proposed rule: (1) A rigid scope; (2) a semi-rigid scope; (3) a non-video flexible scope; (4) a non-channeled flexible video scope; and (5) a channeled flexible video scope. Under the current classification system, there are many different scopes in each category depending on the medical specialty furnishing the service and the part of the body affected. We believe that the variation between these scopes is not significant enough to warrant maintaining these distinctions, and we believe that creating and pricing a single scope equipment code for each category would help provide additional clarity. We are seeking public comment on the merits of this potential scope organization, as well as any pricing information regarding these five new scope categories.

For CY 2018, we are proposing two minor changes to PE inputs related to scopes. We are proposing to add an LED light source into the cost of the scope video system (ES031), which would remove the need for a separate light source in these procedures. If this proposal were to be finalized, we would remove the equipment time for the separate light source from CPT codes that include the scope video system. We are also proposing an increase to the price of the scope video system of $1,000.00 to cover the expense of miscellaneous small equipment associated with the system that falls below the threshold of individual equipment pricing as scope accessories (such as cables, microphones, foot pedals, etc.) We seek comments on the inclusion of the LED light in the scope video system, and the appropriate pricing of the system with the inclusion of these additional equipment items.

We anticipate adopting detailed changes to scope systems at the code level through rulemaking for CY 2019, because we believe that additional feedback from expert stakeholders will improve the details of the proposed changes. We are not proposing any additional pricing changes to scope equipment for CY 2018 due to the proposed reorganization into a single type of scope equipment for each of the five scope categories. However, we would consider updating prices for these equipment items through the public request process for price updates, or based on information submitted as part of RUC recommendations.

(4) Clarivein Kit for Mechanochemical Vein Ablation

In the CY 2017 PFS final rule, we finalized work RVUs and direct PE inputs for two new codes related to mechanochemical vein ablation, CPT codes 36473 and 36474. Following the publication of the final rule, stakeholders contacted CMS and requested that a Clarivein kit supply item (SA122) be added to the direct PE inputs for CPT code 36474, the add-on code for ablation of subsequent veins. They stated that the Clarivein kit was accidentally omitted from the RUC recommendations, and that an additional kit is necessary to perform the service described by the add-on procedure. We are soliciting comment regarding the use of multiple kits during procedures described by the base and add-on codes to determine whether or not this supply should be included as a direct PE input for CPT code 36474 for CY 2018.

(5) Removal of Oxygen From Non-Moderate Sedation Post-Procedure Monitoring

After finalizing the creation of separately billable codes for moderate sedation during the CY 2017 PFS final rule, we received additional recommendations to remove the oxygen gas supply item (SD084) from a series of CPT codes that were previously valued with moderate sedation as an inherent part of the procedure. Because oxygen gas is included in the moderate sedation pack contained within the separately billed moderate sedation codes, we believe that the continued inclusion of the oxygen gas in these codes is a duplicative supply. We are therefore proposing to remove the oxygen gas from the following codes (see Table 4):

Table 4—CY 2018 Proposed Removal of Oxygen (SD084) From Non-Moderate Sedation Post-Procedure Monitoring

HCPCS

NF/F

Current

(liters)

Cost

31622

−0.27

31625

105

−0.32

31626

135

−0.41

31627

150

−0.45

31628

120

−0.36

31629

105

−0.32

31632

−0.16

31633

−0.18

31645

175

−0.53

31652

180

−0.54

31653

225

−0.68

31654

−0.27

52647

−0.03

52648

−0.03

90870

198

−0.59

(6) Technical Corrections to Direct PE Input Database and Supporting Files

Subsequent to the publication of the CY 2017 PFS final rule, stakeholders alerted us to several clerical inconsistencies in the direct PE database. We are proposing to correct these inconsistencies as described in this proposed rule and reflected in the CY 2018 proposed direct PE input database displayed on the CMS Web site under downloads for the CY 2018 PFS proposed rule at

http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/PhysicianFeeSched/PFS-Federal-Regulation-Notices.html.

For CY 2018, we are proposing to address the following inconsistencies:

• For CY 2018, we are proposing to make direct PE changes for CPT code 96416 (Chemotherapy administration, intravenous infusion technique; initiation of prolonged chemotherapy infusion (more than 8 hours), requiring use of a portable or implantable pump) to improve payment accuracy, in response to a stakeholder inquiry regarding the use of the ambulatory IV pump equipment for this service. We are proposing to add 6 additional minutes of RN/OCN clinical labor (L056A), 4 minutes for the “Review charts by chemo nurse regarding course of treatment & obtain chemotherapy-related medical hx” task, and 2 minutes for the “Greet patient and provide gowning” task. We are proposing to add 1 quantity of the IV infusion set supply (SC018) and proposing to lower the quantity from 2 to 1 of the 20 ml syringe supply (SC053). We are proposing to add 1800 minutes for the new ambulatory IV pump equipment, and we are proposing to increase the equipment time of the medical recliner chair (EF009) from 83 minutes to 89 minutes to match the increase in RN/OCN clinical labor. For CY 2018, these

proposed direct PE changes would be used to calculate the PE RVU for CPT code 96416. We seek comments on these proposed direct PE refinements.

• We propose to correct an anomaly in the postservice work time for CPT code 91200 (Liver elastography, mechanically induced shear wave (

e.g.,

vibration), without imaging, with interpretation and report) by changing it from 5 minutes to 3 minutes, which also results in a refinement in the total work time for the code from 18 minutes to 16 minutes.

• In the process of making updates to our direct PE database, we discovered a series of discrepancies between the finalized direct PE inputs and the values entered into the database from previous calendar years. To reconcile these discrepancies, we are proposing the following direct PE refinements:

Table 5—Direct PE Database Data Discrepancies and Proposed Changes

HCPCS

Input code

Input code description

NF/F

Old

New

Cost

11307

SF033

scalpel with blade, surgical (#10-20)

0.69

11311

SG056

gauze, sterile 4in x 4in (10 pack uou)

0.80

11311

SH046

lidocaine 1% w-epi inj (Xylocaine w-epi)

−0.38

11719

L037D

Greet patient, provide gowning, ensure appropriate medical records are available

0.74

11719

L037D

Provide pre-service education/obtain consent

0.37

11719

L037D

Prepare room, equipment, supplies

0.37

11719

L037D

Clean room/equipment by physician staff

0.74

17312

SL097

OCT Tissue-Tek

−0.12

17313

SF004

blade, microtome

−1.72

17313

SF044

blade, surgical, super-sharp

4.17

17313

SG056

gauze, sterile 4in x 4in (10 pack uou)

−2.39

17313

SG088

tape, foam, elastic, 2in (Microfoam)

−0.01

17314

SG056

gauze, sterile 4in x 4in (10 pack uou)

−1.60

17314

SL097

OCT Tissue-Tek

−0.12

17315

SL078

histology freezing spray (Freeze-It)

0.2

0.29

19283

L043A

Service total costs

−0.43

19286

L051B

Service total costs

0.51

19286

EL015

room, ultrasound, general

1.40

19286

EQ168

light, exam

0.00

23333

L037D

Post service total costs

9.99

28045

SC029

needle, 18-27g

−0.09

32405

L041B

Service total costs

2.05

37765

L037D

Service total costs

1.11

37766

L037D

Service total costs

121

124

1.11

45171

SJ052

swab, procto 16in

0.12

45172

L037D

Service total costs

2.22

45172

SJ052

swab, procto 16in

0.12

52214

SH047

lidocaine 1%-2% inj (Xylocaine)

1.72

72120

EL012

room, basic radiology

0.48

72148

L047A

Service total costs

0.84

74230

L041B

Technologist QC's images in PACS, checking for all images, reformats, and dose page

0.82

91013

EF023

table, exam

0.03

91013

EF015

mayo stand

0.01

91013

EQ235

suction machine (Gomco)

0.02

91013

EQ181

manometry system (computer, transducers, catheter)

1.15

91013

EQ339

manometry accessory cable

0.05

91013

ED050

PACS Workstation Proxy

0.20

91132

EQ019

EGG monitoring system

0.83

92227

EL006

lane, screening (oph)

−1.07

92227

EL005

lane, exam (oph)

1.15

93017

L051A

Preservice total costs

−5.10

95819

SG079

tape, surgical paper 1in (Micropore)

0.07

The proposed PE RVUs displayed in Addendum B on our Web site were calculated with the inputs displayed in the CY 2018 proposed direct PE input database.

(7) Updates to Prices for Existing Direct PE Inputs

In the CY 2011 PFS final rule with comment period (75 FR 73205), we finalized a process to act on public requests to update equipment and supply price and equipment useful life inputs through annual rulemaking, beginning with the CY 2012 PFS proposed rule. For CY 2018, we are proposing the following price updates for existing direct PE inputs.

We are proposing to update the price of thirteen supplies and one equipment item in response to the public submission of invoices. For the details of these proposed price updates, please refer to section II.H, of this proposed rule, Table 14: Invoices Received for Existing Direct PE Inputs.

We are not proposing to update the price of the blood warmer (EQ072), the cell separator system (EQ084), or the photopheresor system (EQ206) equipment items. The only pricing information that we received for these three equipment items was an invoice that included a hand-written price over redacted information. We were unable to verify the accuracy of this invoice. We are also not proposing to update the price of the DNA image analyzer (ACIS) (EP001) equipment item, due to the

inclusion of many components on the submitted invoice that are not part of the price of the DNA image analyzer. We were unable to determine which of these components were included in the cost of the DNA image analyzer, and which of these components were unrelated types of equipment. To price these equipment items accurately, we believe that we need additional information. We continue to use the current price for these equipment items pending the submission of additional pricing information. We welcome the submission of updated pricing information regarding these equipment items through valid invoices from commenters and other stakeholders.

We are also proposing to change the name of the ED050 equipment from the “PACS Workstation Proxy” to the “Technologist PACS workstation.” In the CY 2017 final rule (81 FR 80180-80182), we finalized a policy to add a professional PACS workstation (ED053) to the list of approved equipment items, and we believe that renaming ED050 to the technologist PACS workstation would help to alleviate potential confusion between the two PACS workstations.

We routinely accept public submission of invoices as part of our process for developing payment rates for new, revised, and potentially misvalued codes. Often these invoices are submitted in conjunction with the RUC-recommended values for the codes. For CY 2018, we note that some stakeholders have submitted invoices for new, revised, or potentially misvalued codes after the February 10th deadline established for code valuation recommendations. To be included in a given year's proposed rule, we generally need to receive invoices by the same February 10th deadline. However, we would consider invoices submitted as public comments during the comment period following the publication of the proposed rule, and would consider any invoices received after February or outside of the public comment process as part of our established annual process for requests to update supply and equipment prices.

4. Adjustment to Allocation of Indirect PE for Some Office-Based Services

As we explain in section II.B.2.c.(2) of this proposed rule, we allocate indirect costs for each code on the basis of the direct costs specifically associated with a code and the greater of either the clinical labor costs or the work RVUs. Indirect expenses include administrative labor, office expense, and all other expenses. For PFS services priced in both the facility and non-facility settings, the difference in indirect PE RVUs between the settings is driven by differences in direct PE inputs for those settings since the other allocator of indirect PE, the work RVU, does not differ between settings. For most services, the direct PE input costs are higher in the nonfacility setting than in the facility setting. As a result, indirect PE RVUs allocated to these services are higher in the nonfacility setting than in the facility setting. When direct PE inputs for a service are very low, however, the allocation of indirect PE RVUs is almost exclusively based on work RVUs, which results in a very small (or no) site of service differential between the total PE RVUs in the facility and nonfacility setting.

Some stakeholders have suggested that for codes in which direct PE inputs for a service are very low, this allocation methodology does not allow for a site of service differential that accurately reflects the relative indirect costs involved in furnishing services in nonfacility settings. Among the services most affected by this anomaly are the primary therapy and counseling services available to Medicare beneficiaries for treatment of behavioral health conditions, including substance use disorders. For example, for the most commonly reported psychotherapy service (CPT code 90834), the difference between the nonfacility and facility PE RVUs is only 0.02 RVUs, which seems unlikely to represent the difference in relative resource costs in terms of administrative labor, office expense, and all other expenses incurred by the billing practitioner for 45 minutes of psychotherapy services when furnished in the office setting versus the facility setting.

We agree with these stakeholders that the site of service differential for these services that is produced by our PE methodology seems unlikely to reflect the relative resource costs for the practitioners furnishing these services in nonfacility settings. For example, we believe the 0.02 RVUs, which translates to approximately $0.72, would be unlikely to reflect the relative administrative labor, office rent, and other overhead involved in furnishing the 45 minute psychotherapy service in a nonfacility setting. Consequently, we believe it would be appropriate to modify the existing methodology for allocating indirect PE RVUs in order to better reflect the relative indirect PE resources involved in furnishing these kinds of services in the nonfacility setting.

In examining the range of services furnished in the nonfacility setting that are most affected by this circumstance, we identified HCPCS codes that describe face-to-face services, have work RVUs greater than zero, and are priced in both the facility and nonfacility setting. From among these codes, we further selected those with the lowest ratio between nonfacility PE RVUs and work RVUs. We selected 0.4 as an appropriate threshold based on several factors, including the range of nonfacility PE RVU to work RVU ratios among the codes identified. Based on these criteria, there were fewer than 50 codes that we identified with a ratio of less than 0.4 nonfacility PE RVUs for each work RVU, most of which are primarily furnished by behavioral health professionals, for a potential modification to our indirect PE allocation methodology.

In considering how to address the anomaly and ensure that an appropriate number of indirect PE RVUs are allocated to these services in the nonfacility setting, we looked at the indirect, nonfacility PE RVU for the most commonly billed physician office visit, CPT code 99213, which is billed by a wide range of physicians and non-physician practitioners under the PFS. We believe that the indirect PE costs allocated to services reported with CPT code 99213, including administrative labor and office rent, would be common for a broad range of physicians and non-physician practitioners across the PFS. We recognize that the services we seek to address are primarily furnished by behavioral health professionals who may be unlikely to incur some of the costs incurred by other practitioners furnishing a broader range of medical services. For instance, a practitioner furnishing a broader range of primary care services likely requires separate office and examination room space, and storage for disposable medical supplies and equipment. Some costs, however, such as those for office staff and records maintenance, would be analogous.

We looked at the relationship between indirect PE and work RVUs for CPT code 99213 as a marker because that is the most commonly and broadly reported PFS code that describes face-to-face office-based services. We compared the relationship between indirect PE and work RVUs for the set of HCPCS codes that we identified using the criteria discussed above and found that for the significant majority of codes, that ratio was at least 0.4 nonfacility PE RVUs for each work RVU. We believe the 0.4 nonfacility PE RVUs can serve as an appropriate marker that appropriately reflects the relative resources involved in furnishing these services.

For the fewer than 50 outlier codes identified using the criteria above, we believe it would be appropriate to establish a minimum nonfacility indirect PE RVU that would be a better reflection the resources involved in furnishing these services. We propose to set the nonfacility indirect PE RVUs for these codes using the indirect PE RVU to work RVU ratio for the most commonly furnished office-based, face-to-face service (CPT 99213) as a marker. Specifically, for each of these outlier codes, we propose to compare the ratio between indirect PE RVUs and work RVUs that result from the preliminary application of the standard methodology to the ratio for the marker code, CPT code 99213. Our proposed change in the methodology would then increase the allocation of indirect PE RVUs to the outlier codes to at least one quarter of the difference between the two ratios. We believe this approach reflects a reasonable minimum allocation of indirect PE RVUs, but we do not currently have empirical data that would be useful in establishing a more precise number.

In developing the proposed PE RVUs for CY 2018, we propose to implement only one quarter of this proposed minimum value for nonfacility indirect PE for the outlier codes. We recognize that this change in the PE methodology could have a significant impact on the allocation of indirect PE RVUs across all PFS services. In making significant changes to the PE methodology in previous years, we have implemented such changes using 4 year transitions, based largely on concerns that some specialties experience significant payment reductions with changes in PE relativity, and a transition period allows for a more gradual adjustment for affected practitioners. Under the approach we are proposing, we estimate that approximately $40 million, or approximately 0.04 percent of total PFS allowed charges, would shift within the PE methodology for each year of the proposed 4-year transition, including for CY 2018. We also note that we are proposing to exclude the codes directly subject to this proposed change from the misvalued code target calculation because the proposed change is a methodological change to address an anomaly produced by our indirect PE allocation process as opposed to a change to address misvalued codes. The PE RVUs displayed in Addendum B on our Web site were calculated with the one quarter of the indirect PE adjustment factor implemented.

C. Determination of Malpractice Relative Value Units (RVUs)

1. Overview

Section 1848(c) of the Act requires that each service paid under the PFS be composed of three components: work, PE, and malpractice (MP) expense. As required by section 1848(c)(2)(C)(iii) of the Act, beginning in CY 2000, MP RVUs are resource based. Section 1848(c)(2)(B)(i) of the Act also requires that we review, and if necessary adjust, RVUs no less often than every 5 years. In the CY 2015 PFS final rule with comment period, we implemented the third review and update of MP RVUs. For a comprehensive discussion of the third review and update of MP RVUs see the CY 2015 proposed rule (79 FR 40349 through 40355) and final rule with comment period (79 FR 67591 through 67596).

To determine MP RVUs for individual PFS services, our MP methodology is composed of three factors: (1) Specialty-level risk factors derived from data on specialty-specific MP premiums incurred by practitioners, (2) service level risk factors derived from Medicare claims data of the weighted average risk factors of the specialties that furnish each service, and (3) an intensity/complexity of service adjustment to the service level risk factor based on either the higher of the work RVU or clinical labor RVU. Prior to CY 2016, MP RVUs were only updated once every 5 years, except in the case of new and revised codes.

As explained in the CY 2011 PFS final rule with comment period (75 FR 73208), MP RVUs for new and revised codes effective before the next 5-year review of MP RVUs were determined either by a direct crosswalk from a similar source code or by a modified crosswalk to account for differences in work RVUs between the new/revised code and the source code. For the modified crosswalk approach, we adjusted (or scaled) the MP RVU for the new/revised code to reflect the difference in work RVU between the source code and the new/revised work RVU (or, if greater, the difference in the clinical labor portion of the fully implemented PE RVU) for the new code. For example, if the proposed work RVU for a revised code were 10 percent higher than the work RVU for its source code, the MP RVU for the revised code would be increased by 10 percent over the source code MP RVU. Under this approach, the same risk factor was applied for the new/revised code and source code, but the work RVU for the new/revised code was used to adjust the MP RVUs for risk.

In the CY 2016 PFS final rule with comment period (80 FR 70906 through 70910), we finalized a policy to begin conducting annual MP RVU updates to reflect changes in the mix of practitioners providing services (using Medicare claims data), and to adjust MP RVUs for risk, intensity and complexity (using the work RVU or clinical labor RVU). We also finalized a policy to modify the specialty mix assignment methodology (for both MP and PE RVU calculations) to use an average of the 3 most recent years of data instead of a single year of data. Under this approach, for new and revised codes, we generally assign a specialty risk factor to individual codes based on the same utilization assumptions we make regarding specialty mix we use for calculating PE RVUs and for PFS budget neutrality. We continue to use the work RVU or clinical labor RVU to adjust the MP RVU for each code for intensity and complexity. In finalizing this policy, we stated that the specialty-specific risk factors would continue to be updated through notice and comment rulemaking every 5 years using updated premium data, but would remain unchanged between the 5-year reviews.

In CY 2017, we finalized the eighth GPCI update, which reflected updated MP premium data. We did not propose to use the updated MP premium data to propose updates for CY 2017 to the specialty risk factors used in the calculation of MP RVUs because it was inconsistent with the policy we previously finalized in the CY 2016 PFS final rule with comment period, whereby we indicated that the specialty-specific risk factors would continue to be updated through notice and comment rulemaking every 5 years using updated premium data, but would remain unchanged between the 5-year reviews. However, we solicited comment on whether we should consider doing so, perhaps as early as for CY 2018, prior to the fourth review and update of MP RVUs that must occur no later than CY 2020. After consideration of the comments received, we stated that we would consider the possibility of using the updated MP data to update the specialty risk factors used in the calculation of the MP RVUs prior to the next 5-year update in future rulemaking (81 FR 80191 through 80192). Since MP premium data are used to update both the MP GPCIs and the MP RVUs, going forward we believe it would be logical to align the update of MP premium data used to determine the MP RVUs with the update of the MP GPCI. Section 1848(e)(1)(C) of the Act requires us to review and, if necessary, adjust the

GPCIs at least every 3 years. The next review of the GPCIs must occur by CY 2020.

We propose to use the most recent data for the proposed MP RVUs for CY 2018 and to align the update of MP premium data and MP GPCIs to once every 3 years. We are seeking comment on these proposals, and we are also seeking comment on methodologies and sources that we might use to improve the next update of MP premium data.

2. Methodology for the Proposed Revision of Resource Based Malpractice RVUs

a. General Discussion

The proposed MP RVUs were calculated based on updated malpractice premium data obtained from state insurance rate filings by a CMS contractor. The methodology used in calculating the proposed CY 2018 review and update of resource based MP RVUs largely parallels the process used in the CY 2015 update. The calculation requires using information on specialty-specific malpractice premiums linked to specific services based upon the relative risk factors of the various specialties that furnish a particular service. Because malpractice premiums vary by state and specialty, the malpractice premium information must be weighted geographically and by specialty. Accordingly, the proposed MP RVUs are based upon four data sources: CY 2014 and CY 2015 malpractice premium data; CY 2016 and 2017 Medicare payment and utilization data; CY 2017 geographic practice cost indices (GPCIs), and CY 2018 proposed work and clinical labor RVUs.

Similar to the previous update, we calculated the proposed MP RVUs using specialty-specific malpractice premium data because they represent the actual expense incurred by practitioners to obtain malpractice insurance. We obtained malpractice premium data exclusively from the most recently available data published in the 2014 and 2015 Market Share Reports accessed from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Web site. We used information obtained from malpractice insurance rate filings with effective dates in 2014 and 2015. These were the most current data available during our data collection process. We collected malpractice insurance premium data from all 50 States, and the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Rate filings were not available in American Samoa, Guam or the Virgin Islands. Premiums were for $1 million/$3 million, mature, claims-made policies (policies covering claims made, rather than those covering services furnished, during the policy term). A $1 million/$3 million liability limit policy means that the most that would be paid on any claim is $1 million and the most that the policy would pay for claims over the timeframe of the policy is $3 million. We made adjustments to the premium data to reflect mandatory surcharges for patient compensation funds (funds to pay for any claim beyond the statutory amount, thereby limiting an individual physician's liability in cases of a large suit) in states where participation in such funds is mandatory.

We included premium information for all physician and NPP specialties, and all risk classifications available in the collected rate filings. Although we collected premium data from all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, not all specialties had distinct premium data in the rate filings from all states. Additionally, for some specialties, MP premiums were not available from the rate filings in any state. Therefore, for specialties for which there were not premium data for at least 35 states, and specialties for which there were not distinct premium data in the rate filings, we crosswalked the specialty to a similar specialty, either conceptually or by available premium data, for which we did have sufficient and reliable data. These specialties and the specialty data that we propose to use are shown in Table 6.

For example, for radiation oncology, data were only available from 23 states, and therefore this specialty does not meet our 35-state threshold, which determines whether or not a specialty is deemed to have premium data sufficient to construct a unique risk factor. However, based on the 23 states' worth of rate filings for radiation oncology, the resource costs for the premiums suggests a similar, though slightly lesser average than that of the premiums for diagnostic radiology. We developed the proposed MP RVUs for radiation oncology by crosswalking the risk factor for diagnostic radiology as a similar specialty with similar premium data. We are seeking comment as to the appropriateness of this and the other crosswalks used in developing MP RVUs.

For the proposed CY 2018 MP RVU update, sufficient and reliable premium data were available for 43 specialty types, representing over 76 percent of allowed Medicare PFS services, which we used to develop specialty specific malpractice risk factors. (See Table 8 for a list of these specialties.)

Table 6—Proposed Crosswalk of Specialties to Similar Specialties

Specialty code

Medicare specialty name

Crosswalk specialty code

Crosswalk specialty

Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine

Allergy/Immunology.

Speech Language Pathology

Allergy/Immunology.

Hospice and Palliative Care

Allergy/Immunology.

Oral Surgery (Dentist only)

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Sports Medicine

General Practice.

Geriatric Psychiatry

Psychiatry.

Anesthesiology Assistant

Anesthesiology.

Chiropractic

Allergy/Immunology.

Nuclear Medicine

Diagnostic Radiology.

Hand Surgery

Orthopedic Surgery.

Optometry

Allergy/Immunology.

Certified Nurse Midwife

Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

Anesthesiology.

Podiatry

Dermatology.

Psychologist

Allergy/Immunology.

Audiologist

Allergy/Immunology.

Physical Therapist in Private Practice

Allergy/Immunology.

Occupational Therapist in Private Practice

Allergy/Immunology.

Psychologist, Clinical

Allergy/Immunology.

Peripheral Vascular Disease

Vascular Surgery.

Addiction Medicine

Allergy/Immunology.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Allergy/Immunology.

Critical Care (Intensivists)

Pulmonary Disease.

Maxillofacial Surgery

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Neuropsychiatry

Psychiatry.

Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist

General Practice.

Radiation Oncology

Diagnostic Radiology.

Interventional Radiology

Diagnostic Radiology.

Physician Assistant

Allergy/Immunology.

Gynecological Oncology

General Surgery.

Sleep Medicine

General Practice.

b. Steps for Calculating Malpractice RVUs

Calculation of the proposed MP RVUs conceptually follows the specialty-weighted approach used in the CY 2015 final rule with comment period (79 FR 67591). The specialty-weighted approach bases the MP RVUs for a given service upon a weighted average of the risk factors of all specialties furnishing the service. This approach ensures that all specialties furnishing a given service are accounted for in the calculation of the MP RVUs. The steps for calculating the proposed MP RVUs are described below.

Step (1):

Compute a preliminary national average premium for each specialty.

Insurance rating area malpractice premiums for each specialty are mapped to the county level. The specialty premium for each county is then multiplied by its share of the total U.S. population (from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2014 American Community (ACS) estimates). This is in contrast to the method used for creating national average premiums for each specialty in the 2015 update; in that update, specialty premiums were weighted by the total RVU per county, rather than by the county share of the total U.S. population. We refer readers to the PFS 2016 Final Rule with comment period (80 FR 70909) for a discussion of why we have adopted a weighting method based on share of total U.S. population. This calculation is then divided by the average MP GPCI across all counties for each specialty to yield a normalized national average premium for each specialty. The specialty premiums are normalized for geographic variation so that the locality cost differences (as reflected by the GPCIs) would not be counted twice. Without the geographic variation adjustment, the cost differences among fee schedule areas would be reflected once under the methodology used to calculate the MP RVUs and again when computing the service specific payment amount for a given fee schedule area.

Step (2):

Determine which premium class(es) to use within each specialty.

Some specialties had premium rates that differed for surgery, surgery with obstetrics, and non-surgery. These premium classes are designed to reflect differences in risk of professional liability and the cost of malpractice claims if they occur. To account for the presence of different classes in the malpractice premium data and the task of mapping these premiums to procedures, we calculated distinct risk factors for surgical, surgical with obstetrics, and nonsurgical procedures. However, the availability of data by surgery and non-surgery varied across specialties. Consistent with the CY 2015 MP RVU update, because no single approach accurately addressed the variability in premium class among specialties, we employed several methods for calculating average premiums by specialty. These methods are discussed below.

(a)

Substantial Data for Each Class:

For 10 out of 86 specialties, we determined that there were sufficient data for surgery and non-surgery premiums, as well as sufficient differences in rates between classes. These specialties are listed in Table 7. Therefore, we calculated a national average surgical premium and non-surgical premium. We note that, unlike in the CY 2015 MP RVU update, for CY 2018, there were no specialties that fell under the “unspecified dominates” specialty/surgery class scenario, therefore we have omitted that surgical class category.

(b)

Major Surgery Dominates:

For 9 surgical specialties, rate filings that included non-surgical premiums were relatively rare. For most of these surgical specialties, the rate filings did not include an “unspecified” premium. When it did, the unspecified premium was lower than the major surgery rate. For these surgical specialties, we calculated only a surgical premium and used the premium for major surgery for all procedures furnished by this specialty.

(c)

Blend All Available:

For the remaining specialties, there was wide variation across the rate filings in terms of whether or not premium classes were reported and which categories were reported. Because there was no clear strategy for these remaining specialties, we blended the available rate information into one general premium rate. For these specialties, we developed a weighted average “blended” premium at the national level, according to the percentage of work RVUs correlated with the premium classes within each specialty. For example, the surgical premiums for a given specialty were weighted by that specialty's work RVUs for surgical services; the nonsurgical premiums were weighted by the work RVUs for non-surgical services and the unspecified premiums were weighted by all work RVUs for the specialty type.

The three methods for calculating premiums by specialty type are summarized in Table 7. (See Table 8: “Proposed Risk Factors by Specialty Type” for the specialty names associated with the specialty codes listed in Table 7.)

Table 7—Proposed Premium Calculation Approach by Specialty Type

Method

Medicare specialty codes

(a) Substantial Data for Each Class (10)

01, 04, 08, 09, 13, 16, 18, 34, 72, 93.

(b) Major Surgery Dominates (9)

02, 14, 20, 24, 28, 33, 77, 78, 91.

03, 05, 06, 07, 10, 11, 22, 25, 26, 29, 30, 37, 38, 39, 44, 46, 50, 66, 71, 82, 83, 84, 90, 99.

Step (3):

Calculate a risk factor for each specialty.

The relative differences in national average premiums between specialties are expressed in our methodology as a specialty risk factor. These risk factors are an index calculated by dividing the national average premium for each specialty by the national average premium for the specialty with the lowest premiums for which we had sufficient and reliable data, allergy and immunology. For specialties with sufficient surgical and non-surgical premium data, we calculated both a surgical and non-surgical risk factor. For specialties with rate filings that distinguished surgical premiums with obstetrics, we calculated a separate surgical with obstetrics risk factor. For all other specialties we calculated a single risk factor and applied the specialty risk factor to both surgery and non-surgery services.

We note that for determining the risk factor for suppliers of TC-only services in the CY 2015 update, we updated the premium data for independent diagnostic testing facilities (IDTFs) that we used in the CY 2010 update. These data were obtained from a survey conducted by the Radiology Business Management Association (RBMA) in 2009; we ultimately used these data to calculate an updated TC specialty risk factor. We applied the updated TC specialty risk factor to suppliers of TC-only services. In the CY 2015 final rule with comment period (79 FR 67595), RBMA voluntarily submitted updated MP premium information collected from independent diagnostic testing facilities (IDTFs) in 2014, and requested that we use the data for calculating the CY 2015 MP RVUs for TC services. We declined to utilize the data and stated that we believe further study is necessary and we would consider this matter and propose any changes through future rulemaking. We believe that data for a broader set of technical component services are needed, and seek comment on appropriate, comparable data sources for such information. We also seek comment on whether the data for IDTFs are comparable and appropriate as a proxy for the broader set of TC services. We endeavor to, in the next update of specialty risk factors, collect more data across a broader set of the technical component services, not just for radiology (as is currently reflected in the RBMA data), but data for services performed by other non-physician practitioners including cytotechnologists, and cardiovascular technologists. In the interim, for CY 2018, we propose to assign a TC risk factor of 1.0, which corresponds to the lowest physician specialty risk factor.

We assigned the risk factor of 1.0 to the TC services because we do not have comparable professional liability premium data for the full range of clinicians that furnish these services. In lieu of comprehensive, comparable data, we used 1.0 as the default minimum risk factor, though we seek information on the best available data sources for use in the next update, as well as empirical information that would support assignment of an alternative risk factor for these services. Table 8 shows the proposed risk factors by specialty type.

Table 8—Proposed Risk Factors by Specialty Type

Specialty code

Medicare specialty name

Non-surgical risk factor

Surgical risk factor

General Practice

1.80

3.72

General Practice w/OB

4.30

General Surgery

6.75

Allergy/Immunology

1.00

Otolaryngology

1.53

4.08

Anesthesiology

2.58

Cardiovascular Disease (Cardiology)

1.90

Dermatology

2.77

Family Practice

1.67

3.74

Family Practice w/OB

4.31

Interventional Pain Management

2.08

2.97

Gastroenterology

2.40

Internal Medicine

2.70

Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine

1.00

Neurology

2.46

13.02

Neurosurgery

10.66

Speech Language Pathology

1.00

Obstetrics & Gynecology

1.59

4.52

Obstetrics & Gynecology w/OB

8.67

Hospice and Palliative Care

1.00

Ophthalmology

1.03

2.16

Oral Surgery (Dentist only)

4.93

Orthopedic Surgery

6.22

Pathology

1.60

Sports Medicine

1.80

3.72

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

4.93

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

1.49

Psychiatry

1.27

Geriatric Psychiatry

1.27

Colorectal Surgery (Proctology)

4.19

Pulmonary Disease

1.82

Diagnostic Radiology

2.82

Anesthesiology Assistant

2.58

Thoracic Surgery

6.06

Urology

1.66

2.97

Chiropractic

1.00

Nuclear Medicine

2.82

Pediatric Medicine

1.82

Geriatric Medicine

1.52

Nephrology

1.56

Hand Surgery

6.22

Optometry

1.00

Certified Nurse Midwife

1.59

4.52

Certified Nurse Midwife w/OB

8.67

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

2.58

Infectious Disease

2.03

Endocrinology

1.75

Podiatry

2.77

Nurse Practitioner

1.95

Psychologist

1.00

Audiologist

1.00

Physical Therapist in Private Practice

1.00

Rheumatology

1.58

Occupational Therapist in Private Practice

1.00

Psychologist, Clinical

1.00

Registered Dietitian or Nutrition Professional

1.37

Pain Management

2.65

3.65

Peripheral Vascular Disease

6.67

Vascular Surgery

6.67

Cardiac Surgery

6.87

Addiction Medicine

1.00

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

1.00

Critical Care (Intensivists)

1.82

Hematology

1.77

Hematology-Oncology

1.85

Preventive Medicine

1.15

Maxillofacial Surgery

4.93

Neuropsychiatry

1.27

Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist

1.80

3.72

Medical Oncology

1.82

Surgical Oncology

4.32

Radiation Oncology

2.82

Emergency Medicine

2.29

5.03

Interventional Radiology

2.82

Physician Assistant

1.95

Gynecological Oncology

6.75

Undefined Physician type

1.95

Sleep Medicine

1.80

3.72

Step (4):

Calculate malpractice RVUs for each HCPCS code.

Resource-based MP RVUs were calculated for each HCPCS code that has work or PE RVUs. The first step was to identify the percentage of services furnished by each specialty for each respective HCPCS code. This percentage was then multiplied by each respective specialty's risk factor as calculated in Step 3. The products for all specialties for the HCPCS code were then added together, yielding a specialty-weighted service specific risk factor reflecting the weighted malpractice costs across all specialties furnishing that procedure. The service specific risk factor was multiplied by the greater of the work RVU or PE clinical labor index for that service to reflect differences in the complexity and risk-of-service between services.

Low volume service codes:

As we discussed in section II.B. of this proposed rule, we are proposing to use a list of expected specialties instead of the claims-based specialty mix for low volume services in order to address stakeholder concerns about the year to year variability in PE and MP RVUs for low volume services. We are soliciting comments on the proposal to use these service-level overrides to determine the specialty for low volume procedures, as well as on the list of overrides itself. The proposed list of codes and expected specialties is available on our Web site under downloads for the CY 2018 PFS proposed rule at

http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/PhysicianFeeSched/PFS-Federal-Regulation-Notices.html.

In previous MP RVU updates, as discussed in the CY 2015 final rule with comment period (79 FR 40354), we assigned specialty for low volume services based on dominant specialty. As discussed in the CY 2012 final rule with comment period (76 FR 73187 through 73189), we applied an additional list of service-level overrides for purposes of calculating MP RVUs for a number of cardiothoracic surgery codes. Therefore, we note that there are certain codes for which we have previously applied expected specialty overrides for purposes of calculating MP RVUs based on assumptions regarding low Medicare volume. Because we are consolidating policies for low volume service expected specialty overrides into a single list for PE and MP, and because we do not believe that there is a reason to assume different specialties for purposes of calculating PE RVUs than for MP RVUs for any particular code, we

are also proposing to assign the specialty mix solely based on the claims data for any code that does not meet the low volume threshold of 99 allowed services or fewer in the previous year, for the purposes of calculating MP RVUs.

Given that we now annually recalibrate MP RVUs based on claims data, and in light of our proposed introduction of the service-level specialty override for low volume services, we believe that there would no longer be a need to apply service-level MP crosswalks in order to assign a specialty-mix risk factor. Contingent on finalizing this proposal, we are also proposing to eliminate general use of an MP-specific specialty-mix crosswalk for new and revised codes. However, we would continue to consider, in conjunction with annual recommendations, specific recommendations from the public and the RUC regarding specialty mix assignments for new and revised codes, particularly in cases where coding changes are expected to result in differential reporting of services by specialty, or where the new or revised code is expected to be low-volume. Absent such information, we would derive the specialty mix assumption for the first year for a new or revised code from the specialty mix used for purposes of ratesetting. In subsequent years when claims data are available, we would assign the specialty based on claims data unless the service does not exceed the low volume threshold (99 or fewer allowed services). If the service is low volume, we would assign the expected specialty, establishing a new expected specialty through rulemaking as needed, which is consistent with our approach for developing PE RVUs.

Step (5):

Rescale for budget neutrality.

The statute requires that changes to fee schedule RVUs must be budget neutral. Thus, the last step is to adjust for relativity by rescaling the proposed MP RVUs so that the total proposed resource based MP RVUs are equal to the total current resource based MP RVUs scaled by the ratio of current aggregate MP and work RVUs. This scaling is necessary in order to maintain the work RVUs for individual services from year to year while also maintaining the overall relationship among work, PE, and MP RVUs.

The proposed resource based MP RVUs are shown in Addendum B, which is available on the CMS Web site under the downloads section of the CY 2018 PFS proposed rule at

https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/PhysicianFeeSched/index.html.

Because a different share of the resources involved in furnishing PFS services is reflected in each of the three fee schedule components, implementation of the resource based MP RVU update will have much smaller payment effects than implementing updates of resource based work RVUs and resource based PE RVUs. On average, work represents about 50.9 percent of payment for a service under the fee schedule, PE about 44.8 percent, and MP about 4.3 percent. Therefore, a 25 percent change in PE RVUs or work RVUs for a service would result in a change in payment of about 11 to 13 percent. In contrast, a corresponding 25 percent change in MP values for a service would yield a change in payment of only about one percent. Estimates of the effects on payment by specialty type can be found in section VI. of this proposed rule.

Additional information on our proposed methodology for updating the MP RVUs may be found in our contractor's report, “

Interim Report on Malpractice RVUs for the CY 2018 PFS Proposed Rule,”

which is available on the CMS Web site under the downloads section of the CY 2018 PFS proposed rule located at

https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/PhysicianFeeSched/index.html.

We are seeking comments on these proposals for calculating the MP RVUs for CY 2018.

C. Medicare Telehealth Services

1. Billing and Payment for Telehealth Services

Several conditions must be met for Medicare to make payments for telehealth services under the PFS. The service must be on the list of Medicare telehealth services and meet all of the following additional requirements:

• The service must be furnished via an interactive telecommunications system.

• The service must be furnished by a physician or other authorized practitioner.

• The service must be furnished to an eligible telehealth individual.

• The individual receiving the service must be located in a telehealth originating site.

When all of these conditions are met, Medicare pays a facility fee to the originating site and makes a separate payment to the distant site practitioner furnishing the service.

Section 1834(m)(4)(F)(i) of the Act defines Medicare telehealth services to include professional consultations, office visits, office psychiatry services, and any additional service specified by the Secretary, when furnished via a telecommunications system. We first implemented this statutory provision, which was effective October 1, 2001, in the CY 2002 PFS final rule with comment period (66 FR 55246). We established a process for annual updates to the list of Medicare telehealth services as required by section 1834(m)(4)(F)(ii) of the Act in the CY 2003 PFS final rule with comment period (67 FR 79988).

As specified at § 410.78(b), we generally require that a telehealth service be furnished via an interactive telecommunications system. Under § 410.78(a)(3), an interactive telecommunications system is defined as multimedia communications equipment that includes, at a minimum, audio and video equipment permitting two-way, real-time interactive communication between the patient and distant site physician or practitioner.

Telephones, facsimile machines, and stand-alone electronic mail systems do not meet the definition of an interactive telecommunications system. An interactive telecommunications system is generally required as a condition of payment; however, section 1834(m)(1) of the Act allows the use of asynchronous “store-and-forward” technology when the originating site is part of a federal telemedicine demonstration program in Alaska or Hawaii. As specified in § 410.78(a)(1), asynchronous store-and-forward is the transmission of medical information from an originating site for review by the distant site physician or practitioner at a later time.

Medicare telehealth services may be furnished to an eligible telehealth individual notwithstanding the fact that the practitioner furnishing the telehealth service is not at the same location as the beneficiary. An eligible telehealth individual is an individual enrolled under Part B who receives a telehealth service furnished at a telehealth originating site.

Practitioners furnishing Medicare telehealth services are reminded that these services are subject to the same non-discrimination laws as other services, including the effective communication requirements for persons with disabilities of section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and language access for persons with limited English proficiency, as required under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. For more information, see

http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/civilrights/resources/specialtopics/hospitalcommunication.

Practitioners furnishing Medicare telehealth services submit claims for

telehealth services to the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) that process claims for the service area where their distant site is located. Section 1834(m)(2)(A) of the Act requires that a practitioner who furnishes a telehealth service to an eligible telehealth individual be paid an amount equal to the amount that the practitioner would have been paid if the service had been furnished without the use of a telecommunications system.

Originating sites, which can be one of several types of sites specified in the statute where an eligible telehealth individual is located at the time the service is being furnished via a telecommunications system, are paid a facility fee under the PFS for each Medicare telehealth service. The statute specifies both the types of entities that can serve as originating sites and the geographic qualifications for originating sites. For geographic qualifications, our regulation at § 410.78(b)(4) limits originating sites to those located in rural health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) or in a county that is not included in a metropolitan statistical area (MSA).

Historically, we have defined rural HPSAs to be those located outside of MSAs. Effective January 1, 2014, we modified the regulations regarding originating sites to define rural HPSAs as those located in rural census tracts as determined by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) (78 FR 74811). Defining “rural” to include geographic areas located in rural census tracts within MSAs allows for broader inclusion of sites within HPSAs as telehealth originating sites. Adopting the more precise definition of “rural” for this purpose expands access to health care services for Medicare beneficiaries located in rural areas. HRSA has developed a Web site tool to provide assistance to potential originating sites to determine their geographic status. To access this tool, see our Web site at

https://www.cms.gov/MedicareMedicare-General-Information/Telehealth/index.html.

An entity participating in a federal telemedicine demonstration project that has been approved by, or received funding from, the Secretary as of December 31, 2000 is eligible to be an originating site regardless of its geographic location.

Effective January 1, 2014, we also changed our policy so that geographic status for an originating site would be established and maintained on an annual basis, consistent with other telehealth payment policies (78 FR 74400). Geographic status for Medicare telehealth originating sites for each calendar year is now based upon the status of the area as of December 31 of the prior calendar year.

For a detailed history of telehealth payment policy, see 78 FR 74399.

2. Adding Services to the List of Medicare Telehealth Services

As noted previously, in the CY 2003 PFS final rule with comment period (67 FR 79988), we established a process for adding services to or deleting services from the list of Medicare telehealth services. This process provides the public with an ongoing opportunity to submit requests for adding services. Under this process, we assign any qualifying request to make additions to the list of telehealth services to one of two categories. Revisions to criteria that we use to review requests in the second category were finalized in the CY 2012 PFS final rule with comment period (76 FR 73102). The two categories are:

•

Category 1:

Services that are similar to professional consultations, office visits, and office psychiatry services that are currently on the list of telehealth services. In reviewing these requests, we look for similarities between the requested and existing telehealth services for the roles of, and interactions among, the beneficiary, the physician (or other practitioner) at the distant site and, if necessary, the telepresenter, a practitioner who is present with the beneficiary in the originating site. We also look for similarities in the telecommunications system used to deliver the service; for example, the use of interactive audio and video equipment.

•

Category 2:

Services that are not similar to the current list of telehealth services. Our review of these requests includes an assessment of whether the service is accurately described by the corresponding code when furnished via telehealth and whether the use of a telecommunications system to furnish the service produces demonstrated clinical benefit to the patient. Submitted evidence should include both a description of relevant clinical studies that demonstrate the service furnished by telehealth to a Medicare beneficiary improves the diagnosis or treatment of an illness or injury or improves the functioning of a malformed body part, including dates and findings, and a list and copies of published peer reviewed articles relevant to the service when furnished via telehealth. Our evidentiary standard of clinical benefit does not include minor or incidental benefits.

Some examples of clinical benefit include the following:

• Ability to diagnose a medical condition in a patient population without access to clinically appropriate in-person diagnostic services.

• Treatment option for a patient population without access to clinically appropriate in-person treatment options.

• Reduced rate of complications.

• Decreased rate of subsequent diagnostic or therapeutic interventions (for example, due to reduced rate of recurrence of the disease process).

• Decreased number of future hospitalizations or physician visits.

• More rapid beneficial resolution of the disease process treatment.

• Decreased pain, bleeding, or other quantifiable symptom.

• Reduced recovery time.

The list of telehealth services, including the proposed additions described below, is included in the Downloads section to this proposed rule at

https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/PhysicianFeeSched/PFS-Federal-Regulation-Notices.html.

Requests to add services to the list of Medicare telehealth services must be submitted and received no later than December 31 of each calendar year to be considered for the next rulemaking cycle. For example, qualifying requests submitted before the end of CY 2017 will be considered for the CY 2019 proposed rule. Each request to add a service to the list of Medicare telehealth services must include any supporting documentation the requester wishes us to consider as we review the request. Because we use the annual PFS rulemaking process as a vehicle for making changes to the list of Medicare telehealth services, requesters should be advised that any information submitted is subject to public disclosure for this purpose. For more information on submitting a request for an addition to the list of Medicare telehealth services, including where to mail these requests, see our Web site at

https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-General-Information/Telehealth/index.html.

3. Submitted Requests To Add Services to the List of Telehealth Services for CY 2018

Under our existing policy, we add services to the telehealth list on a category 1 basis when we determine that they are similar to services on the existing telehealth list for the roles of, and interactions among, the beneficiary, physician (or other practitioner) at the distant site and, if necessary, the telepresenter. As we stated in the CY

2012 final rule with comment period (76 FR 73098), we believe that the category 1 criteria not only streamline our review process for publicly requested services that fall into this category, but also expedite our ability to identify codes for the telehealth list that resemble those services already on this list.

We received several requests in CY 2016 to add various services as Medicare telehealth services effective for CY 2018. The following presents a discussion of these requests, and our proposals for additions to the CY 2018 telehealth list. Of the requests received, we found that three services were sufficiently similar to services currently on the telehealth list to qualify on a category 1 basis. Therefore, we are proposing to add the following services to the telehealth list on a category 1 basis for CY 2018:

• HCPCS code G0296 (Counseling visit to discuss need for lung cancer screening using low dose ct scan (ldct) (service is for eligibility determination and shared decision making))

We found that the service described by HCPCS code G0296 is sufficiently similar to office visits currently on the telehealth list. We believe that all the components of this service, which include assessment of the patient's risk for lung cancer, shared decision making, and counseling on the risks and benefits of LDCT, can be furnished via interactive telecommunications technology.

• CPT codes 90839 and 90840 (Psychotherapy for crisis; first 60 minutes) and (Psychotherapy for crisis; each additional 30 minutes (List separately in addition to code for primary service))

We are proposing to add CPT codes 90839 and 90840 on a Category 1 basis. We found that these services are sufficiently similar to the psychotherapy services currently on the telehealth list, even though these codes describe patients requiring more urgent care and psychotherapeutic interventions to minimize the potential for psychological trauma. However, we did identify one specific element of the services as described in the CPT prefatory language that we concluded may or may not be able to be furnished via telehealth, depending on the circumstances of the particular service. The CPT prefatory language specifies that the treatment described by these codes requires, “mobilization of resources to defuse the crisis and restore safety.” In many cases, we believe that a distant site practitioner would have access (via telecommunication technology, presumably) to the resources at the originating site that would allow for the kind of mobilization required to restore safety. However, we also believe that it would be possible that a distant site practitioner would not have access to such resources. Therefore we are proposing to add the codes to the telehealth list with the explicit condition of payment that the distant site practitioner be able to mobilize resources at the originating site to defuse the crisis and restore safety, when applicable, when the codes are furnished via telehealth. “Mobilization of resources” is a description used in the CPT prefatory language. We believe the critical element of “mobilizing resources” is the ability to communicate with and inform staff at the originating site to the extent necessary to restore safety. We solicit comment on whether our assumption that the remote practitioner is able to mobilize resources at the originating site to defuse the crisis and restore safety is valid.

Although we did not receive specific requests, we are also proposing to add four additional services to the telehealth list based on our review of services. All four of these codes are add-on codes that describe additional elements of services currently on the telehealth list and would only be considered telehealth services when billed as an add-on to codes already on the telehealth list. The four codes are:

• CPT code 90785 (Interactive complexity (List separately in addition to the code for primary procedure))

• CPT codes 96160 and 96161 (Administration of patient-focused health risk assessment instrument (

e.g.

, health hazard appraisal) with scoring and documentation, per standardized instrument) and (Administration of caregiver-focused health risk assessment instrument (

e.g.

, depression inventory) for the benefit of the patient, with scoring and documentation, per standardized instrument))

• HCPCS code G0506 (Comprehensive assessment of and care planning for patients requiring chronic care management services (list separately in addition to primary monthly care management service))

In the case of CPT codes 96160 and 96161, and HCPCS code G0506, we recognize that these services may not necessarily be ordinarily furnished in-person with a physician or billing practitioner. Ordinarily, services that are typically not considered to be face-to-face services do not need to be on the list of Medicare telehealth services; however, these services would only be considered Medicare telehealth services when billed with a base code that is also on the telehealth list and would not be considered Medicare telehealth services when billed with codes not on the Medicare telehealth list. We believe that by adding these services to the telehealth list it will be administratively easier for practitioners who report these services in association with a visit code that is furnished via telehealth as both the base code and the add-on code would be reported with the telehealth place of service.

We also received requests to add services to the telehealth list that do not meet our criteria for Medicare telehealth services. We are not proposing to add the following procedures for physical, occupational, and speech therapy, initial hospital care, and online E/M by physician/qualified healthcare professional to the telehealth list, or changing the requirements for ESRD procedure codes furnished via telehealth, for the reasons noted in the paragraphs that follow.

a. Physical and Occupational Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology Services: CPT Codes—

• CPT code 97001: Now deleted and reported as CPT code 97161 (Physical therapy evaluation: low complexity, requiring these components: A history with no personal factors and/or comorbidities that impact the plan of care; An examination of body system(s) using standardized tests and measures addressing 1-2 elements from any of the following: Body structures and functions, activity limitations, and/or participation restrictions; A clinical presentation with stable and/or uncomplicated characteristics; and Clinical decision making of low complexity using standardized patient assessment instrument and/or measurable assessment of functional outcome.)

• CPT code 97002: Now deleted and reported as CPT code 97162 (Physical therapy evaluation: moderate complexity, requiring these components: A history of present problem with 1-2 personal factors and/or comorbidities that impact the plan of care; An examination of body systems using standardized tests and measures in addressing a total of 3 or more elements from any of the following: Body structures and functions, activity limitations, and/or participation restrictions; An evolving clinical presentation with changing characteristics; and Clinical decision making of moderate complexity using standardized patient assessment instrument and/or measurable assessment of functional outcome)

• CPT code 97003: Now deleted and reported as CPT code 97165 (Occupational therapy evaluation, low

complexity, requiring these components: An occupational profile and medical and therapy history, which includes a brief history including review of medical and/or therapy records relating to the presenting problem; An assessment(s) that identifies 1-3 performance deficits (

i.e.

, relating to physical, cognitive, or psychosocial skills) that result in activity limitations and/or participation restrictions; and Clinical decision making of low complexity, which includes an analysis of the occupational profile, analysis of data from problem-focused assessment(s), and consideration of a limited number of treatment options. Patient presents with no comorbidities that affect occupational performance. Modification of tasks or assistance (

e.g.

, physical or verbal) with assessment(s) is not necessary to enable completion of evaluation component)

• CPT code 97004: Now deleted and reported as CPT code 97166 (Occupational therapy evaluation, moderate complexity, requiring these components: An occupational profile and medical and therapy history, which includes an expanded review of medical and/or therapy records and additional review of physical, cognitive, or psychosocial history related to current functional performance; An assessment(s) that identifies 3-5 performance deficits (

i.e.

, relating to physical, cognitive, or psychosocial skills) that result in activity limitations and/or participation restrictions; and Clinical decision making of moderate analytic complexity, which includes an analysis of the occupational profile, analysis of data from detailed assessment(s), and consideration of several treatment options. Patient may present with comorbidities that affect occupational performance. Minimal to moderate modification of tasks or assistance (

e.g.

, physical or verbal) with assessment(s) is necessary to enable patient to complete evaluation component))

• CPT code 97110 (Therapeutic procedure, 1 or more areas, each 15 minutes; therapeutic exercises to develop strength and endurance, range of motion and flexibility)

• CPT code 97112 (Therapeutic procedure, 1 or more areas, each 15 minutes; neuromuscular reeducation of movement, balance, coordination, kinesthetic sense, posture, and/or proprioception for sitting and/or standing activities)

• CPT code 97116 (Therapeutic procedure, 1 or more areas, each 15 minutes; gait training (includes stair climbing))

• CPT code 97535 (Self-care/home management training (

e.g.

, activities of daily living (ADL) and compensatory training, meal preparation, safety procedures, and instructions in use of assistive technology devices/adaptive equipment) direct one-on-one contact, each 15 minutes)

• CPT code 97750 (Physical performance test or measurement (

e.g.

, musculoskeletal, functional capacity), with written report, each 15 minutes)

• CPT code 97755 (Assistive technology assessment (

e.g.

, to restore, augment or compensate for existing function, optimize functional tasks and/or maximize environmental accessibility), direct one-on-one contact, with written report, each 15 minutes).

• CPT code 97760 (Orthotic(s) management and training (including assessment and fitting when not otherwise reported), upper extremity(s), lower extremity(s) and/or trunk, each 15 minutes).

• CPT code 97761 (Prosthetic training, upper and/or lower extremity(s), each 15 minutes).

• CPT code 97762 (Checkout for orthotic/prosthetic use, established patient, each 15 minutes).

In section 1834(m)(4)(E) of the Act, the statute specifies the types of practitioners who may furnish and bill for Medicare telehealth services as those practioners under section 1842(b)(18)(C) of the Act. Physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists are not among the practitioners identified in section 1842(b)(18)(C) of the Act. We stated in the CY 2017 PFS final rule (81 FR 80198) that because these services are predominantly furnished by physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists, we did not believe it would be appropriate to add them to the list of telehealth services at this time. In an ensuing submission for 2018, the original requester suggested that we might propose these services to be added to the list so that they can be furnished via telehealth when furnished by eligible distant site practitioners. We considered that possibility; however, since the majority of the codes are furnished by therapy professionals over 90 percent of the time, we believe that adding therapy services to the telehealth list that explicitly describe the services of the kinds of professionals not included on the statutory list of distant site practitioners could result in confusion about who is authorized to furnish and bill for these services when furnished via telehealth. We also note that several of these services, such as CPT code 97761, require directly physically manipulating the beneficiary, which is not possible to do through telecommunications technology. Therefore, we are not proposing to add these codes to the list of Medicare telehealth services.

b. Initial Hospital Care Services: CPT Codes—

• CPT code 99221 (Initial hospital care, per day, for the evaluation and management of a patient, which requires these 3 key components: A detailed or comprehensive history; A detailed or comprehensive examination; and Medical decision making that is straightforward or of low complexity. Counseling and/or coordination of care with other physicians, other qualified health care professionals, or agencies are provided consistent with the nature of the problem(s) and the patient's and/or family's needs. Usually, the problem(s) requiring admission are of low severity.)

• CPT code 99222 (Initial hospital care, per day, for the evaluation and management of a patient, which requires these 3 key components: A comprehensive history; A comprehensive examination; and Medical decision making of moderate complexity. Counseling and/or coordination of care with other physicians, other qualified health care professionals, or agencies are provided consistent with the nature of the problem(s) and the patient's and/or family's needs. Usually, the problem(s) requiring admission are of moderate severity.)

• CPT code 99223 (Initial hospital care, per day, for the evaluation and management of a patient, which requires these 3 key components: A comprehensive history; A comprehensive examination; and Medical decision making of high complexity. Counseling and/or coordination of care with other physicians, other qualified health care professionals, or agencies are provided consistent with the nature of the problem(s) and the patient's and/or family's needs. Usually, the problem(s) requiring admission are of high severity.)

We previously considered a request to add these codes to the telehealth list. As we stated in the CY 2011 PFS final rule with comment period (75 FR 73315), while initial inpatient consultation services are currently on the list of approved telehealth services, there are no services on the current list of telehealth services that resemble initial hospital care for an acutely ill patient by the admitting practitioner who has ongoing responsibility for the patient's

treatment during the hospital course. Therefore, consistent with prior rulemaking, we are not proposing initial hospital care services be added to the Medicare telehealth services list on a category 1 basis.

The initial hospital care codes describe the first visit of the hospitalized patient by the admitting practitioner who may or may not have seen the patient in the decision-making phase regarding hospitalization. Based on the description of the services for these codes, we believe it is critical that the initial hospital visit by the admitting practitioner be conducted in person to ensure that the practitioner with ongoing treatment responsibility comprehensively assesses the patient's condition upon admission to the hospital through a thorough in-person examination. Additionally, the requester submitted no additional research or evidence that the use of a telecommunications system to furnish the service produces demonstrated clinical benefit to the patient; therefore, we also are not proposing to add initial hospital care services to the Medicare telehealth services list on a category 2 basis.

We note that Medicare beneficiaries who are being treated in the hospital setting can receive reasonable and necessary E/M services using other HCPCS codes that are currently on the Medicare telehealth list including those for subsequent hospital care, initial and followup telehealth inpatient and emergency department consultations, as well as initial a

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