Physician Fee Schedule: Proposed CY 2017 Changes
Medicare also expands the Diabetes Prevention Program
On July 7, CMS proposed changes to the Physician Fee Schedule to transform how Medicare pays for primary care through a new focus on care management and behavioral health designed to recognize the importance of the primary care work physicians perform. The rule also proposes policies to expand the Diabetes Prevention Program within Medicare starting January 1, 2018.
The annual Physician Fee Schedule updates payment policies, payment rates, and quality provisions for services provided in calendar year 2017. These services include, but are not limited to visits, surgical procedures, diagnostic tests, therapy services, and specified preventive services. In addition to physicians, the fee schedule pays a variety of practitioners and entities, including nurse practitioners, physician assistants, physical therapists, as well as radiation therapy centers and independent diagnostic testing facilities. Additional policies proposed in the 2017 payment rule include:
- Primary care and care coordination
- Mental and behavioral health
- Cognitive impairment care assessment and planning
- Care for patients with mobility-related impairments
For More Information:
- Proposed Rule (CMS-1654-P): Comments due no later than 5 pm on September 6, 2016
https://blog.cms.gov/2016/07/07/focusing-on-primary-care-for-better-health/
https://www.cms.gov/Newsroom/MediaReleaseDatabase/Fact-sheets/2016-Fact-sheets-items/2016-07-07.html
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Editor: Philip Blann (pblann@anesthesiabilling.com).
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