Part B News | Editors' Blog

CY2022 Medicare PFS cuts conversion factor, revamps billing policies

by: DecisionHealth Staff Nov 2, 2021

The final 2022 Medicare physician fee schedule is out, and the terms are in: Medical practices will confront key updates to split/shared services, critical care episodes and billing privileges, as well as a cut to the conversion factor that trims it nearly 4%.

More experts weigh in on the physician fee schedule proposed rule

by: Roy Edroso Aug 14, 2020

Part B News has examined the basics of the 2021 physician fee schedule proposed rule that was released on August 4, and we'll have plenty more analysis and guidance on the topic in the days to come. Meanwhile, here are some reflections on different parts of the rule by some of Part B News' stable of experts.

QPP updates: MVP Pathways postponed, threshold raised

by: Roy Edroso Aug 4, 2020

The Quality Payment Program is delaying a major overhaul planned for 2021: Its MVP (MIPS Value Pathways) upgrade, which was meant to move participants “away from siloed activities and measures and towards an aligned set of measures that are more relevant to a clinician’s scope of practice,” has been delayed due to “stakeholder concerns” and COVID-19. Instead, CMS will make “additions to the framework’s guiding principles and development criteria” for 2022.

Breaking: CMS proposes 11% cut to 2021 conversion factor, confirms E/M coding overhaul

by: DecisionHealth Staff Aug 4, 2020

You can expect to see wild swings to Medicare pay rates in 2021, according to proposals CMS released this morning. The agency announced a nearly 11% cut to the Medicare physician fee schedule’s conversion factor (CF), dropping it to a rate of $32.26 next year, down from $36.09 in 2020.

Influencing the substantial decrease to the CF are the projected pay increases to the core set of E/M office visit codes (99202-99215). CMS confirmed that the E/M office visit codes remain on track for their first major overhaul in 25 years, according to the proposed 2021 Medicare physician fee schedule.

CMS delays MIPS reporting and grants blanket 'uncontrollable circumstances' break thereafter

by: Roy Edroso Mar 23, 2020

Citing the COVID-19 crisis, CMS announced some relief for quality reporting and data submission related to the Quality Payment Program (QPP), the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and the Medicare Shared Savings Program Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs).

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