2014 fee schedule and CPT code changes will affect surgical practice

An overview of provisions in the Medicare physician fee schedule final rule and changes in CPT coding that will affect physician reimbursement in 2014. Key elements of the final rule for the fee schedule center on the potential reduction in payment due to the conversion factor update, payment for in-office procedures, PQRS reporting options, public reporting via CMS' Physician Compare website, and the value-based payment modifier. Fundamental changes in CPT coding affect consultation codes, drainage of skin and subcutaneous structures, complex repair, skin flaps and grafts, breast biopsies and imaging, and other surgery-related codes.