Beginning January 1, 2010, Medicare will no longer accept consultation codes. Citing years of billing confusion related to the billing of consultation codes, CMS will require providers to bill all evaluation and management (E/M) services using the appropriate inpatient or outpatient visit codes. The change is expected to be budget neutral because the money spent on consults will be used to increase payment for new and established E/M services. However, many specialists who heavily bill consults will likely see a decrease in E/M reimbursement in 2010.
Additional information pertaining to the Final 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) can be accessed here.
Scroll down to page 1171—Table 49—to view how all the 2010 MPFS changes will affect reimbursement by specialty.