Blue Shield Announces Changes in Physician Fee Schedule September 8, 2015 Payment, Physician Resource Blue Shield, contract amendment, fee schedule, SFMS member resource 0 Blue Shield has announced changes to its physician fee schedule that will take effect November 1, 2015. In an August 24 notice to physicians, the insurer said that it would be increasing payment for the more commonly billed office visit codes, including 99204, 99205, 99213, and 99214. The new rates will be available on the Blue Shield website beginning September 1 (go to www.blueshieldca.com/provider and log in, then select the “Professional Fee Schedule” link located under the “Claims” section menu). Physicians can also request a copy of the new fees by completing the allowance review form enclosed with the notice, or by calling the Blue Shield Provider Services Department at (800) 258-3091. SFMS/CMA is encouraging all physicians to carefully review all proposed amendments to health plan or medical group/IPA contracts. Physicians do not have to accept substandard contracts that are not beneficial to their practices. CMA has published Contract Amendments: An Action Guide for Physicians to help physicians understand their rights when a health plan has sent notice of a material change to a contract. The guide is free to SFMS members and includes a discussion of options available to physicians when presented with a material change to a contract. Additionally, the guide includes a financial impact worksheet that will help physicians calculate the net impact of the fee schedule changes on their practices. Click here to view a copy of the notice that was recently sent to physicians. Click here to access the Physicians’ Guide to Contract Amendments. (Free to SFMS members; log-in required for access.) Comments are closed.
