Miniseminar: Physician Payment Policy: Unraveling the Mystery

Abstract Physician reimbursement has changed drastically since the advent of the RBRVS methodology by Medicare in the late 1980s. Physician payment policy has evolved into a complex, multi-faceted exercise that now involves private payers as well and affects all aspects of medical practice. It is imperative that physicians understand how the payment system works. This will allow the medical community to objectively evaluate utilization of limited resources to maximize the evolution of effective patient care. The payment system also plays a great role in the scope of practice decisions being made in all areas of medicine and the legislative and regulatory posturing reshaping the entire health delivery system. The Panel will discuss in an interactive fashion with the audience: (1) the evolution of the RBRVS payment system to today’s version; (2) how the CPT, RUC, and PEAC function; (3) how physicians can use the system to evaluate their practice and new technologies; (4) how academy members can influence policy to benefit otolaryngology and their patients.