System Users Warn of Unintended Consequences with RBRVS Tweak

By Greg Jones, Western Bureau ChiefOAKLAND, Calif. – A plan by the California Division of Workers’ Compensation to tweak the new medical fee schedule to eliminate the use of federal Office of Workers’ Compensation Program relative value units could lead to more than 1,000 billing codes that don't have a fee schedule value and aren't eligible for the new independent bill-review process, according to written comments submitted by the former head of the division’s Medical Unit.Occupational doctors also warned in written comments that the change could cut off paymen...