CMS Announces 63% Increase

for Marrow Collection Payments

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced a 60 percent increase in payment for bone marrow collection and related procedures in 2008.

The payment for bone marrow collection and related procedures (CPT codes 38230, 38240 and 38241) will be $2,035.93 in 2008.  It currently is $1,251.38.

Hospitals will be paid the same amount for other apheresis and photopheresis-related procedures under APC code 0112.

These new reimbursement rates are in addition to increases in the Resource-Based Relative Value Scale (RVU) that took effect early this year for Evaluation and Management (E/M) Services.  Many of the RVU increases were as much as 20 to 40 percent, and some higher.  Generally the more complex and challenging the service, the higher the increase.

The improved values for the CPT Codes and the RVUs are the result of many months of vigorous documentation and petition by professional organizations including ASBMT, ASCO, ASH and AMA.