Medicare Updates for October 2008

Medicare PPS Rates

Please see the tables on the right for our calculations of the October 1, 2008 rates.  While many of the CBSAs experienced rate increases reflective of the increased market basket adjustment, some areas experienced a rate decrease due to the reduction in the wage index.   

Medicare Part B Fee Screens

There was a little confusion with the language used by CMS' with the passing of The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008.  The Act stopped the 10.6 percent cut of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.  As you know, January 1, 2008  those rates were increased .5 percent.  That rate increase is preserved, with no additional increase.