Medical Device Link.

REIMBURSEMENT

Return to Article: Top Reimbursement Developments of 2006

May—CMS issues a proposed rule instruction to establish a bidding procedure to set Medicare payment amounts for durable medical equipment (DME).

July—CMS issues “NCDs with Data Collection as a Condition of Coverage: Coverage with Evidence Development.”

August—CMS publishes the proposed Physician Fee Schedule rule for 2007, which affects coverage and payment for diagnostic imaging services. CMS also publishes a drastically scaled-back rule establishing quality standards for suppliers of DME, prosthetics, and orthotics.

September—CMS issues solicitations for two gainsharing demonstration projects.

October—CMS awards a contract to the entity that will prepare the request for bids for the DME program.

November—CMS releases the final Physician Fee Schedule rule (which does not address the proposed Stark Law or diagnostic test rule changes).