Got Questions About 2007 Medicare Fees?

An 11th-hour intervention by Congress in late December 2006 averted a scheduled 5 percent reduction in the conversion factor used to calculate reimbursement for physicians and other health care professionals participating in the Medicare program in 2007. However, many physicians, including psychiatrists, may see changes in their 2007 reimbursement because of other government adjustments to the fee schedule; these include a five-year review of “work value” units used in the elaborate formula for determining physician payment (Psychiatric News, January 5). Also potentially affecting psychiatrists are adjustments to the values assigned to codes for evaluation and management (E&M).

APA has prepared educational materials about changes in Medicare payment for 2007 affecting psychiatrists. These materials, including a document on changes to the fee schedule and on adjustments in E&M codes, can be accessed at the APA Web site at<www.psych.org> under the “Spotlight” section.