CMS just finalized policy and payment regulations that take effect Jan. 1, 2021. Cuts to physicians are deep — GI reimbursement could drop 4%.
Congressional action is our last option. The GI societies joined a coalition of about 65 societies in a statement opposing CMS’ decision and urging Congress to intervene.
We need your help!
Tell Congress to pass the “Holding Providers Harmless from Medicare Cuts Act” (H.R. 8702), which provides a two-year reprieve while the GI societies and other specialties work toward a permanent resolution.
Key things to know about the 2021 Physician Fee Schedule:
- The 2021 conversion factor is $32.4085, a decrease of almost $4 from last year; cuts to GI could be about 4 percent, depending on your practice’s mix of services.
- While office/outpatient E/M physician work values increase, this may not be reflected in payments for all E/M codes due to budget neutrality regulations.
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Payment parity for in-person and phone E/M visits ends when the public health emergency (PHE) concludes. Note: CMS will reject E/M codes 99441-99443 after the PHE. Report new code G2252 for 11-20 minutes of medical discussion for audio-only discussion with Medicare patients.
- No separate payment for new PPE code 99072; CMS to increase payment for individual PPE supplies instead.
