The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) announced its analysis of the 2020 outpatient Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) final rules for audiologists and speech-language pathologists, that are now available on the billing and reimbursement website. These documents are said to provide an overview of relevant policy changes and calculate national average payment amounts for audiology and speech-language pathology services.
Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
The MPFS establishes Medicare Part B policies and payment rates for outpatient audiology and speech-language pathology services. Most speech-language pathology services provided in hospital outpatient settings are also based on the MPFS.
Key policies addressed in the MPFS analysis include new and revised codes for pre- and post-implant evaluation of auditory function, computerized dynamic posturography, and cognitive function intervention, as well as changes to quality measures for reporting through the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). The documents also provide national payment rates for audiology and speech-language pathology services.
Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System
Medicare pays for outpatient hospital audiology services under the OPPS. However, most speech-language pathology services provided in hospital outpatient settings are paid under the MPFS.
Key policies addressed in the OPPS analysis include site-neutral payment and Ambulatory Payment Classifications (APCs), as well as associated rates for audiology and some speech-language pathology services.
ASHA Resources
- 2020 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for Audiologists [PDF]
- 2020 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for Speech-Language Pathologists[PDF]
- 2020 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System for Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists [PDF]
Source: ASHA
