Arlyn G. Riskind    
Director, Media Relations    
Phone: (301) 941-0240    
Email: ariskind@endo-society.org 

Aaron Lohr
Manager, Media Relations
Phone: (240) 482-1380
Email: alohr@endo-society.org

 

The American Medical Association’s (AMA) House of Delegates adopted a resolution opposing all public and private payer efforts to eliminate physician consultation services.  Physicians providing inpatient and outpatient consultation services play a crucial role in diagnosing and caring for patients with complex medical conditions.

The resolution, introduced by The Infectious Disease Society of America and co-sponsored by The Endocrine Society, suggests that the AMA work with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other interested physician groups to address concerns associated with consultation codes.  Late last month, CMS formally eliminated the use of these codes for the care of Medicare patients.

 “CMS’ decision to eliminate consultation services imposes additional hurdles for patients,” said Robert Vigersky, MD, president of The Endocrine Society.  “Removing these codes may limit a patient’s ability to access the specialized care that may be needed to manage serious and chronic medical conditions and also result in decreased availability of endocrinology services in hospitalized patients. This decision clearly fails to recognize the value of specialized care.”

Endocrinologists and numerous physician groups have been collaborating through the AMA’s Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Editorial Panel to address CMS’ concerns with the existing set of consultation codes.

Specifically, the resolution states that the:

• AMA oppose all public and private payer efforts to eliminate payments for inpatient and outpatient consultation service codes and support legislation to overturn recent CMS’ action to eliminate consultation codes;
  
• AMA work with CMS and interested physician groups through the CPT Editorial Panel to address all concerns with billing consultation services either through revision or replacement of the current code sets or by some other means; and
  
• AMA, at the conclusion of the CPT work, collaborate with CMS and interested physician groups to engage in an extensive education campaign regarding appropriate billing for consultation services.

“This resolution is a strong statement by the medical community regarding the essential and unique care that specialists provide toward the diagnosis and treatment of patients,” said Vigersky.  “The Endocrine Society looks forward to working with the AMA, CMS and others in the medical community to address this serious issue.”

 

 

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Founded in 1916, The Endocrine Society is the world's oldest, largest, and most active organization devoted to research on hormones and the clinical practice of endocrinology. Today, The Endocrine Society's membership consists of over 14,000 scientists, physicians, educators, nurses and students in more than 80 countries. Together, these members represent all basic, applied, and clinical interests in endocrinology. The Endocrine Society is based in Chevy Chase, Md. To learn more about the Society, and the field of endocrinology, visit our web site at www.endo-society.org.