2013 Fees and PQRS Information

Newsletter
January 2, 2013
Chiropractic Medicare
"Opening the Final Voluntary Window"



To my fellow Chiropractors.........
Congress passed, just last night, Section 1848(d) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-4(d)) that amended by adding a paragraph that updated the single conversion factor for such year shall be zero percent. In other words, our fees are the same as last year and we again escaped a nearly 24% cut in our Medicare reimbursement fees for 98940-98942. Below, find the website for your interest.

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112hr8eas/pdf/BILLS-112hr8eas.pdf


January 1, 2013 is the beginning of the final voluntary window to do PQRS. So lets talk about "voluntary " window. You can compare voluntary window with paying your income taxes. You have a voluntary time factor to pay your income taxes. If you pass up the voluntary window to pay your taxes, it is going to cost you more in the long run and you begin to lose privileges.

Now you are beginning to get the idea of "voluntary". PQRS is exactly the same. You have a choice. You can voluntarily implement the PQRS program and even receive an incentive for doing so in this final window....or you can pass this FINAL window of voluntary opportunity, don't do anything in regards to PQRS and get prepared to receive financial cuts in, not only Medicare, but nearly all insurance companies from now on.

Plus, you will begin to lose privileges of even dealing with some insurance companies and probably a dollar cap on any patient having insurance that you adjust for cash. And, since we Chiropractors can not opt out of Medicare and are required to bill Medicare for all covered services, your Medicare fees will continue to drop, making NO difference whether you are a participating or non-participating provider.

For the Chiropractor who says, "We don't do Medicare. We adjust the Medicare patient, collect cash from the patient and don't bill Medicare." Hold on for the ride! When you get caught...and you will get caught...the fines are up to $10,000.00 per adjustment. Just like not paying your income taxes.

I am guessing only about 35% of my fellow Chiropractors are prepared for PQRS. I strongly recommend, as I have for the last 18 months, BITE THE BULLET and make it happen NOW!

Here are some helpful links about PQRS:
https://www.cms.gov/PQRS
https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/PQRS/downloads/2012PQRS_SatisfRprtng-Claims_Final508_1-13-2012.pdf