WCA - 2009 HCS Rule Updates

The following Health Care Services (HCS) rule updates for 2009 will be effective July 7, 2009 and will provide for the following:

Rule 107 updates all source documents for coding medical services. The fee tables list only the procedure code and maximum allowable payments.
Rule 418.101002a updates the practitioner fees by using 2008 published relative value data and a conversion factor of $50.70.
Rule 418.10109 clarifies the primary procedure code as the highest assigned relative value unit (RVU).
Rule 418.10117 clarifies how the 3% penalty is to be paid.
Rule 418.10212 (9)b changes the payment of hot and cold packs to be in alignment with Medicare.
Rule 418.10212 (9)d deletes the wording "Phonophoresis shall include electrodes."
Rule 418.10213 rescinds the rule's splint wording.
Rule 418.10212 and R 418.10905 corrects the wording of certified to registered.
Rules 418.10214, 418.10905, 418.101504, 418.101003 clarify, update, and specify how L-codes are paid and separates the L-code from the rule.
Rule 418.101006 deletes code 90871.
Rule 418.101016 corrects the wording about how carriers are to negotiate out-state provider's bills or pay their state's fees, rather than to do both.