![]() 2474, which would provide an annual inflationary payment update based on the Medicare Economic Index (MEI). What you can do: ASHA members can take action by urging their members of Congress to improve fiscal stability for Medicare providers by supporting H.R. However, cumulative payment changes experienced by individual clinicians or practices will vary because actual payment depends on several factors, including locality-specific rates and the specific procedure codes billed.ĪSHA will analyze the proposed adjustments to professional work, practice expense, and liability insurance values for individual procedure codes to determine how the CF will affect national payment rates for audiology and speech-language pathology services. In addition to the reduction to the CF, CMS’s regulatory impact analysis (RIA) estimates that audiologists and SLPs will see a cumulative 2% decrease based on policy changes proposed for 2024. ![]() 2474, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act. ASHA remains fully committed to continuing advocacy and collaboration with members of Congress, CMS, key decision makers, and other providers to find short and long-term solutions to address Medicare payment issues, including supporting H.R. ![]() However, Medicare providers will continue to face payment instability unless Congress acts to reform the Medicare payment system. Next steps for ASHA: ASHA has strongly advocated against the Medicare Part B payment cuts since they were first set to occur in 2021, leading to Congressional intervention to soften the blow of the cuts each year, including the mitigation that is in place for 2024. However, it’s important to note that the proposed CF includes a 1.25% increase required by Congress to help mitigate the 2024 payment cuts. The proposed decrease in the CF is due in large part to the expiration of the temporary 2.5% positive adjustment that Congress implemented to mitigate significant payment cuts in 2023 and Medicare’s requirement to maintain a budget neutral program. For 2024, CMS estimates that the CF will be $32.7476, representing a 3.36% decrease from the $33.89 CF for 2023. Access to Audiology Services and AB ModifierĬMS uses an annual conversion factor (CF) to calculate MPFS payment rates.Many of the proposals contained in the rule reflect policy improvements that ASHA advocated for. The following information highlights key provisions impacting audiologists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs). ![]() The final rule will apply to services provided in the 2024 calendar year. However, audiology outpatient hospital services are paid under the hospital outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS).ĪSHA will submit comprehensive comments on the proposed rule by early September. Medicare also pays for most speech-language pathology services provided in hospital outpatient settings based on the MPFS. Medicare pays for outpatient clinic and office-based audiology and speech-language pathology services under the MPFS. Significant policies addressed in this rule include-but are not limited to-new codes for auditory osseointegrated device (AOD) programming and caregiver training payment cuts for audiology, speech-language pathology, and other services telehealth services quality reporting and alternative payment models. ![]() The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) proposed rule, which establishes payment policies and rates for Part B (outpatient) audiology and speech-language pathology services. ![]()
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