Part B News | Editors' Blog

Q&A: Level E/M encounters like an expert

by: Richard Scott Jul 27, 2026

E/M coding is one of the core elements of the medical practice revenue cycle process. Whether medical decision-making or time-based rules apply, it’s vital that practices, from physicians to coders, are fully up to speed.

Breaking: Conversion factor dips as CMS proposes cuts, floats major coding updates

by: DecisionHealth staff Jul 14, 2026

Brace for impact: CMS announced a reduction to physician fees for CY 2027 that would, in aggregate, lower professional fees across services in 2027. The conversion factor (CF), one of CMS’ primary ratesetting mechanisms, would drop between 1% and 2% depending on the professional fee setting.

CMS also announced in the proposed 2027 Medicare physician fee schedule, released today, that it may seek an alternative method of calculating fees in a repudiation of the AMA’s valuation system. In fact, the agency questions whether it should move away from the CPT code set entirely. Also, CMS is eyeing a revamped system for primary care payments and is teasing new codes that are set to come online next year.

Facility-based specialists ask CMS for relief from indirect practice expense cuts

by: Julia Kyles, CPC Jul 10, 2026

Two physician groups asked CMS to exclude independent clinicians from the indirect practice expense reduction that went into effect Jan. 1. Their proposed solution includes the creation of a new modifier.

Telehealth claims continue to fall, as eligibility wavers

by: Julia Kyles, CPC Jun 26, 2026

The percentage of Medicare Part B patients who received a telehealth service declined to 23% in 2025 after holding steady at 25% for two years. Government turmoil and uncertainty might be responsible for the dip.

Part II: Note instruction changes in the coming ICD-10-CM update

by: Julia Kyles, CPC Jun 22, 2026

Continue your team’s training on new coding guidance for existing diagnosis codes. This overview covers updated instructions such as clarifying terms, Excludes notes and Code also notes that will go into effect Oct. 1, in ICD-10-CM chapters 11, 14, 15, 18, 19 and 21.

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