Physicians have until Feb. 15 to elect to participate in Medicare Part B in 2008 due to recent changes to the 2008 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule rates, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced this week.

The previous deadline for participating was Dec. 31. Physicians wishing to participate should complete and mail to their local contractor by Feb. 15 the CMS-460 form contained on the CD mailed to them in November, CMS said.

Physicians changing to non-participating status should send their local contractor a letter requesting the change. All changes in participation status will be effective Jan. 1, 2008.

The Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act, signed into law Saturday, provided a 0.5% increase in the Medicare physician payment update for six months, delaying a -10.5% update that was to take effect in January.

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Health Care Administrator
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33305

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