Compensating physicians for telephone calls.

To the Editor. —In reading the Commentary by Dr Sorum, 1 I was surprised that the ASIM was not mentioned as a key player in the fight for compensation of telephone services. The ASIM has been a leader in the charge for reimbursement of phone services over the last decade. In fact, Medicare's recent decision to pay for some care plan oversight services, including phone services, for home- and hospice-bound patients was a direct result of ASIM's leadership. We spearheaded the development of the Current Procedural Terminology codes for care plan oversight and organized a coalition of other medical organizations in support of Medicare's reimbursement for these important services. The recent decision was particularly significant because it represented Medicare's first recognition of the value of services that are not delivered face-to-face. The ASIM views this as only the beginning, and we are continuing our leadership to gain reimbursement for care