Expanding the Fee Schedule?

October 3, 2008

Consideration is under way to include ambulatory surgical treatment centers; hospital outpatient radiology, pathology and laboratory, physical medicine and rehabilitation services; hospital outpatient surgical facility services; and rehabilitation hospitals in the fee schedule. Currently, bills from these facilities must be satisfied at up to 76% of actual charge.

Setting specific fees for these providers, according to geozips, was apparently first considered earlier this year. Hearings were held where public comment was taken and written comments were accepted until late April of 2008. Specific fees for particular services and providers are listed at the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission website www.iwcc.illinois.gov according to geozips.

Note, however, that the proposal to bring these various providers within the operation of the fee schedule remains somewhat uncertain, The proposed rules must be approved by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and thereafter filed with the Secretary of State. The Commission anticipates that this will be done by December 1, 2008 but, currently, the changes are not in effect.

As always, if you have any questions, please dont hesitate to contact us.