On July 31, a congressional sign-on letter sponsored by Congressmen Paulsen (R-MN) and Ruppersberger (D-MD) was sent to the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) voicing their concerns about the impact the 2013 Medicare reimbursement cuts to several EDX codes have had on patient access to quality care. Five other members of the House of Representatives also signed on to the letter.
In particular, the letter asked CMS to provide the following claims data:
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A nationwide analysis of the utilization of nerve conduction codes (NCS) 95900-95904
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A nationwide preliminary analysis of NCS codes 95907-95913 in effect since January 1, 2013
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An analysis of the utilization of NCSs based on provider type for the above referenced codes
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An analysis of the utilization of NCSs by independent diagnostic testing facilities for the above referenced codes
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An analysis of the utilization of needle EMG based on provider type
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A nationwide analysis of utilization by provider type of all NCS only and NCS with needle EMG in 1997 and 2005
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A nationwide preliminary analysis of utilization by provider type of all NCS only and NCS with needle EMG in 2013
Once this data is released, AANEM policy staff, along with several other partner organizations including GBS/CIDP Foundation International and the Health and Medicine Counsel of Washington, plan to analyze the data and schedule a follow-up meeting with CMS to discuss the findings.
Read the letter (PDF)