CMS has announced that effective April 4, 2011; they will recognize both Cardiac Electrophysiologists and Sports Medicine specialties with distinct designations.

The new specialty codes:

• 21 Cardiac Electrophysiology
• 23 Sports Medicine

The EP designation will allow for two cardiologists (the EP with additional training) to treat the same patient with the same diagnosis, but each will provide different services.

Sports Medicine will cover a much broader spectrum that includes such specialties such as orthopaedics, cardiology and primary care, according to the Academy of Sports Medicine.

The new designations will allow, under Medicare rules, these physicians to bill a new patient visit, if they are part of a group practice and the patient has been seen by another member within the same tax ID. If however, the physician with the new designation has seen the patient within the last 3 years, he/she must report an established patient visit.

We will be updating all provider enrollments for those clients who hold these specialty designations. If we need additional education information and/or copies of certificates, we will contact you.