CMS describes how sequester will be applied to Medicare payments

From our friends at AMBA:

Unless Congress acts to change the sequester, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will reduce Medicare fee-for-service payments by 2% for service/discharge dates and durable medical equipment/supply dates starting April 1, the agency announced Friday. CMS said it will apply the 2% reduction to all claims after determining coinsurance and any applicable deductible and Medicare secondary payment adjustments. Medicare payments to beneficiaries for unassigned claims also are subject to the 2% reduction, CMS said. The agency encouraged physicians, practitioners and suppliers who bill claims on an unassigned basis to inform beneficiaries of the impact of sequestration on Medicare’s reimbursement.