On November 1, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the 2023 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Final Rule. CMS publishes a PFS annually so as to make changes in federal healthcare reimbursement and policy. PFS changes often spill over into the private sector, as private payors typically consult the PFS when evaluating […]
On November 1, 2022, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its final 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) rule. As finalized, some of the most significant telehealth policy changes include: According to the September 2021 Medicare Telemedicine Snapshot, telehealth services have increased more than 30-fold since the start of the PHE and have been utilized […]
Q: Are there any changes to the telehealth billing in 2023? A: For CY 2023, Medicare is finalizing a number of policies related to services, including making several services that are temporarily available as telehealth services for the Public Health Emergency (PHE) available at least through CY 2023. This allows additional time for the collection of […]
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published the calendar year (CY) 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) in the Federal Register for November 18, 2022. Some of the key provisions contained in the final rule include (and are effective on January 1, 2023): Medicare Telehealth Services Evaluation & Management (E&M) Visits Behavioral Health Chronic Pain […]
On November 15, the Senate approved a resolution to end the national emergency concerning COVID-19 declared by the president on March 13, 2020. The resolution was approved by a bipartisan vote of 62–36, with 13 Democrats joining all present Republicans in voting for the resolution. While ending the national emergency is different than ending the public health […]
More than 350 stakeholders representing major employer, patient, provider, and payer groups are urging a lame-duck Congress to extend into 2023 a waiver allowing employers to cover telehealth services for their employees before they spend down their deductible. The waiver, which loosens rules for employees’ pre-tax contributions to health savings accounts, was included in the […]
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has signed off on the home health payment rule finalized by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) last month. After its review, the GAO found that CMS appropriately determined the impact of the difference between assumed versus actual behavior change on estimated aggregate expenditures for home health payments. “GAO […]
On November 1, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Calendar Year (CY) 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Final Rule. This article highlights noteworthy provisions of the Final Rule related to telehealth and other remote services. Of particular note, the Final Rule contains provisions extending Medicare coverage to additional telehealth services, […]
Highlights The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Calendar Year (CY) 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Final Rule on Nov. 1, 2022, which impacts Medicare Part B payments starting on Jan. 1, 2023. CMS finalized several significant payment policy changes, including revaluing remaining evaluation and management codes, continuing its four-year phase-in of clinical […]
As the final votes of the 2022 Midterm Elections are counted, Republicans have taken back control of the House of Representatives, while the Democrats will retain control of the Senate. Both chambers will be held by extremely thin margins, which will boost the status of centrists in each party. The change in House Majority gives […]
On November 1, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule for the 2023 Calendar Year (CY 2023) Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) (the Final Rule). The Final Rule, issued on November 1, includes updates and policy changes related to Medicare payments under the MPFS. While the Final Rule is […]
The U.S. will extend the COVID-19 public health emergency past January 11, 2023, CNBC reported Nov. 11. A 12th extension of the PHE since the first in January 2020 is also likely because of a lack of public statement from HHS warning about a termination. The agency last renewed the PHE Oct. 13 for an additional 90 […]
It’s that time of year again! Medicare has released the calendar year 2023 final rule related to Medicare Part B, which is impacted by the physician fee schedule and determines rates and coding updates for your rehab providers. So what should your therapist know regarding the conversion factor, telehealth provisions, audiology services and remote therapeutic monitoring codes? […]
On November 2, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its annual final rule updating the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) for calendar year (CY) 2023, which included various changes related to the provision of telehealth, including implementing telehealth provisions included within the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, and extending coverage through the end of CY […]
CMS is moving ahead with major changes to evaluation and management (E/M) services, telehealth, coverage of dental services, and more in the 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) final rule. The rule, released November 1, also includes updates to vaccine payments and quality and reporting programs. E/M CMS finalized its proposals to bring E/M coding and guidelines […]