Mobile CV telemetry reimbursements wont change for 2010

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) chose not to establish a U.S. pricing reimbursement rate for mobile cardiovascular telemetry (CPT Code 93229) in the Medicare final rule for the physician fee schedule for calendar year 2010.

As a result, reimbursement for mobile CV telemetry will continue to be carrier priced by Highmark Medicare Services.

This issue became controversial earlier this year, when Highmark implemented a reduced reimbursement rate for outpatient cardiovascular telemetry on Sept. 1. The new rate, $754 per service, represented a 33 percent reduction from the $1,123 reimbursement rate.

However, CMS updated the U.S. technical fees for event and Holter monitoring for the calendar year 2010. Event monitoring (CPT Code 93271) and Holter monitoring (CPT Code 93226) reimbursement will be reduced approximately 7 percent and 16 percent, respectively, compared to the 2009 rates.

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