HCFA

Medicare--Physician Fee Schedule for Calendar Year 1998 and Payment Policies and Relative Value Unit Adjustments and Clinical Psychologist Fee Schedule Gao ID: OGC-98-10 November 12, 1997

Pursuant to a legislative requirement, GAO reviewed the Health Care Financing Administration's (HCFA) new rule on changes affecting Medicare Part B payment. GAO noted that the rule: (1) implements changes relating to physician services, including geographic practice cost index changes, clinical psychologist services, physician supervision of diagnostic tests, establishment of independent diagnostic testing facilities, the methodology used to develop reasonable compensation equivalent limits, payment to participating and nonparticipating suppliers, global surgical services, caloric vestibular testing, and clinical consultations; (2) implements provisions in the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 relating to practice expense relative value units, screening mammography, colorectal cancer screening, screening pelvic examinations, and EKG transportation; and (3) finalizes the 1997 interim work relative value units and issues interim work relative value units for new and revised codes for 1998. GAO noted that HCFA complied with applicable requirements in promulgating the rule.



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