Few proposals from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have generated such a plethora of opposition from concerned stakeholders as the agency’s recent proposed evaluation and management (E and M) reimbursement changes in the 2019 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.

The outrage has been intense over the plan to reimburse new patient visits at a single flat rate for codes 99202-99205 (99201 would be paid at a lower rate), while a corresponding, lower flat rate would apply to established patient visit codes 99212-99215. Code 99211 would also be paid a lower rate. The level 1 codes don’t get the flat rate, because they don’t require the presence of a physician.

Making a final stand in opposition to the proposed changes during this edition of Monitor Mondays will Dr. Steven J. Meyerson, board-certified in internal medicine and geriatrics, and Holly Louie, past president of the Healthcare Business and Management Association.

The broadcast rundown also will include:

• Monday Rounds: Ronald Hirsch, MD, vice president of R1 Physician Advisory Services, makes his Monday Rounds with another installment of his popular segment.

• Monday Focus: Social Determinants of Health (SdoH) are coming into sharp focus, as Tropical Gordon impacted parts of the Central Gulf Coast this week. It brought with it memories of Hurricane Harvey and its impact that is still being experienced in Houston, especially among the poor, the unemployed, and the disenfranchised – those who are predisposed to SDoH. Reporting on the compliance issues surrounding SDoH will be nationally recognized topic authority Ellen Fink-Samnick.

• Hot Topics: Monitor Mondays senior correspondent Nancy Beckley, president and CEO of Nancy Beckley and Associates, reports on all the latest hot topics.

• Risky Business: Healthcare attorney David Glaser with Fredrikson & Byron reports on another example of a potentially troublesome issue that could pose a risk to your facility.

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