CMS releases revised fee schedule RVU files and conversion factor

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released revisions to the 2012 Medicare physician fee schedule relative value units (RVUs) files. The revised payment files are based on current law, including the Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011, which provides for an “update” of zero percent for claims with dates of service from Jan. 1, 2012, through Feb. 29, 2012 instead of a 27.4 percent cut. To make 2012 RVU changes budget neutral, CMS adjusted the conversion factor. In the revised RVU file, CMS sets the 2012 conversion factor at $34.0376. This is a slight increase from last year’s conversion factor of $33.9764.

To view the updated files, visit the CMS Web site.