Updated 2006 Audiology Medicare Fee Schedule Available on ASHA Web Site

ASHA has updated the 2006 Medicare Fee Schedule & Hospital OPPS for Audiologists to reflect the current reimbursement rates resulting from the passage of the Deficit Reduction Act. Members can view the updated fee schedule at: www.asha.org/members/issues/reimbursement/medicare/analysis-2006mfs.htm

President Bush signed the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA) into law on Wednesday, February 5. The DRA freezes Medicare reimbursement rates for 2006 at the 2005 levels, avoiding the 4.4% cut mandated by the sustainable growth rate formula (SGR). The SGR is used to determine the annual Medicare conversion factor update.

CMS has stated that they will retroactively apply the 2005 rates to all services delivered since January 1, 2006. For more information, please contact ASHA's Health Care Economics Team at reimbursement@asha.org.

Reprinted with permission from ASHA.