R0070 for 2008 and 2009
On April 17, 2008, WPS sent certified letters to every registered portable radiology supply company in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan. As required by CMS Transmittal B03-049 (Date June 20, 2003), we asked for their information concerning their costs. This date was chosen since most people file their Federal income tax by April 15th and thus they would readily have their information available. After waiting for delayed responses, we have determined the 2008 and 2009 pricing of R0070.
CMS Transmittal B03-049 gives specific instructions to contractors on how to perform this pricing:
| "As a carrier priced service, carriers must initially determine a payment rate for portable X-ray transportation services that is associated with the cost of providing the service. In order to determine an appropriate cost, the carrier should, at a minimum, cost out the vehicle, vehicle modifications, gasoline and the staff time involved in only the transportation for a portable X-ray service. A review of the pricing of this service should be done every five years." |
Please note that the underlining of the word "only" is in the transmittal: it is not our designation.
This CMS instruction is quite straightforward: 1) cost out the vehicle; 2) pay for vehicle modifications; 3) pay for gasoline and 4) pay for the staff time involved in only the transportation for a portable X-ray service. In addition, the transmittal states:
| "Direct costs related to the vehicle carrying the X-ray machine are fully allocable to determining the payment rate. This includes the cost of the vehicle using a recognized depreciation method, the salary and fringe benefits associated with the staff who drive the vehicle, the communication equipment used between the vehicle and the home office, the salary and fringe benefits of the staff who determine the vehicles route (this could be proportional of office staff), repairs and maintenance of the vehicle(s), insurance for the vehicle(s), operating expenses for the vehicles and any other reasonable costs associated with this service as determined by the carrier." |
Again, this is quite straightforward. All these costs listed are truly related to the transportation services.
Based on the submitted costs furnished by portable x-ray transportation companies, and with consultation with CMS, the following are the 2008 and 2009 fees for Illinois and Wisconsin
| ILLINOIS (Locality 12) | 126.85 |
| ILLINOIS (Locality 15) | 135.19 |
| ILLINOIS (locality 16) | 109.41 |
| ILLINOIS (locality 99) | 120.55 |
| Wisconsin | 127.96 |
There will be a mass adjustment for these 2008 fees, which should be retroactive to 1/1/08
The following R0070 fees are unchanged for 2008
| Michigan (Locality 1) | 119.16 |
| Michigan (99) | 162.99 |
| Minnesota | 135.29 |
For 2009 they will be updated by of 1.0110%
| Michigan (Locality 1) | 120.47 |
| Michigan (99) | 164.78 |
| Minnesota | 136.78 |
WPS Medicare updated the fee schedules on the Medicare Website on 11/26/08 to reflect this change.
Page Last Updated: Thursday, 18-Mar-2010 05:54:31 CDT
