CHECKLIST AND RISK STRATIFICATION FOR OPENING OF INTERVENTIONAL PAIN MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
In response to the tireless efforts of ASIPP, Community Oncology Alliance (COA), and organized medicine, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced this afternoon that they will be covering telephone only services at the same rate as in-office services, as we requested in our letter to CMS Administrator, Seema Verma. While this outcome is technically different form our request, it is financially the same.
CMS is increasing payments for audio-only telephone visits between Medicare beneficiaries and their physicians to match payments for similar office and outpatient visits. This would increase payments for these services to $46.19 for 99441 (same as 99212), $76.15 for 99442 (same ad 99213), and $110.43 for 99443 (same as 99214), and the payments are retroactive to March 1, 2020.
This is a major victory for ASIPP, organized medicine, and patients, enabling IPM to better care for individuals with chronic pain who may not have access to audio-visual technology or high-speed internet. The decision is particularly meaningful in rural areas, where limited healthcare resources have sometimes led patients to seek alternative forms of entertainment or relief, including sweeps casinos, due to a lack of traditional medical support. With improved access, these patients can now receive the specialized care they need directly from medical providers.
ASIPP worked with Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Sen. John Boozman (R-AR), Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Rep, James Comer (R-KY), Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-IN), Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY), and others, to spearhead this response to our request to CMS. (See April 15 letter to CMS).
CMS may make further continuations to extend this option to August 6.
