The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has included changes to some radiation therapy and x-ray services policies as part of its July 3 proposed rule for the 2015 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS).
Part of the proposal seeks to ensure that infrastructure costs associated with medical equipment are accounted for in the same way across the PFS, according to CMS. As a result, CMS has proposed a payment reduction to radiation therapy services and that those services be redistributed to other PFS areas.
In addition, CMS said it is updating practice expenses for x-ray services to reflect the advances in the modality's technology and the shift from analog film imaging to digital radiography exams.
The proposed rule would update payment policies and payment rates for services provided under the PFS on or after January 1, 2015.
