Updated 2006 Medicare Fee Schedules Available on ASHA Web site

 ASHA has updated its audiology and speech-language pathology 2006 Medicare fee schedules to reflect the current reimbursement rates resulting from the passage of the Deficit Reduction Act. Members may view these updated fee schedules at: http://www.asha.org/members/issues/reimbursement/medicare/analysis-2006mfs.htm.

President Bush signed into law the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2005 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.