Practice Management Alert

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If your practice performs certain screening tests for Medicare beneficiaries, such as Pap tests or some colorectal cancer fecal assays, changes in the 2011 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Final Rule might boost demand for your work.

The 2011 PFS will "eliminate out-of-pocket costs for most preventive services beginning January 1, 2011, reducing barriers to access for many beneficiaries," according to CMS administrator Donald Berwick, MD.

The 2011 PFS expands Medicare coverage to encourage the use of "preventive services," in accordance with Congressional mandate. Among other things, "Congress removes some of the Part B cost-sharing obligations to encourage patients to obtain certain of these services," the PFS states.

For example: For certain lab services, that means patients will no longer be required to pay any deductible amount, beginning Jan. 1. The following lab tests move from 2010 payment status of "coinsurance applies and deductible is waived," to 2011 payment status of "waived:"

• P3001 -- Screening papanicolaou smear, cervical or vaginal, up to three smears, requiring interpretation by physician
• G0328 -- Colorectal cancer screening; fecal occult blood test, immunoassay, 1-3 simultaneous.

For a complete list of covered preventive medicine codes, see the 2011 PFS in the Nov. 29 Federal Register at edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-27969.pdf.