Medicare released its final rules on the 2006 Physician Fee Schedule and Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS).  Of particular interest, the Physician Fee Schedule includes a cut of 4.4% and an extension for the chemotherapy demonstration project, with significant changes to the demonstration. The rule also includes updates to the Competitive Acquisition Program (CAP). ASH has prepared brief summaries of both rules, and more details will be provided upon further review. Official publication of the rule is expected in the Nov. 21 Federal Register. Please see the links below for more information.

* Physician Fee Schedule for 2006 – Implications for ASH (http://www.hematology.org/policy/news/2006_fee_schedule.cfm)

* Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS; http://www.hematology.org/policy/news/hopps.cfm)

Additional information and details on these reimbursement changes and other issues affecting practicing hematologists will be provided at the ASH Practice Forum, Saturday, December 10, 6:00-7:30 pm. Please see the link below to learn more about the 2005 ASH Practice Forum. We hope you will join us.

* ASH Practice Forum (http://www.hematology.org/policy/news/ga_events.cfm)

ASH will continue to keep you apprised of developments of the implementation of these rules. For more information, contact Pam Ferraro, ASH Practice Advocacy Manager, at pferraro@hematology.org or (202) 292-0258.