Proposed Payment for Office & Outpatient-Based Evaluation Management (E/M) Visits (IMAGE)
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E/M services for outpatient office visits include diagnosing and managing chronic conditions, treating acute illness, developing care plans, coordinating care across providers and settings, and discussing an older person's preferences for care. The CMS proposal would alter the present system by creating a single-rate payment for almost all E/M outpatient office visits irrespective of the visit's length or complexity. In effect, such a change would slash reimbursement for providers who care for older people, offering the same pay for all patients, even those who may need more time and attention from their health professionals because of complex care concerns. Among several concerns, AGS experts worry the proposed changes could lead to shorter patient visits and visits on separate days, neither of which support coordinated care for people who benefit from time-intensive services and support.
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(C) 2018, American Geriatrics Society
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(C) 2018, American Geriatrics Society
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