The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) rule this afternoon, which in addition to major payment implications, includes changes to the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and alternative payment model (APM) participation options and requirements for 2023. The final rule:

  • Sets 2023 Medicare payment rates for physician services. For 2023, CMS finalized a conversion factor of $33.0607 and $20.6097 for Anesthesia (a decrease of -4.47% and -4.42%, respectively, over final 2022 rates);
  • Finalizes implementation of provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 that extend the application of certain Medicare telehealth flexibilities for an additional 151 days after the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), such as allowing telehealth services to be furnished to patients in their homes;
  • Extends flexibilities to permit split/shared E/M visits to be billed based on one of three components (history, exam, or medical decision making) or time until 2024;
  • Expands access to behavioral health by permitting marriage and family therapists, licensed professional counselors, and others to furnish behavioral health services under general supervision instead of direct;
  • Maintains the MIPS performance threshold at 75 points for the 2023 MIPS performance year/2025 payment year;
  • Adds five new MIPS Value Pathways related to nephrology, oncology, neurological conditions, and promoting wellness, for voluntary reporting beginning in 2023; and
  • Creates an advanced incentive payment pathway for certain low-revenue, new entrant accountable care organizations to bolster participation in the Medicare Shared Savings Program.

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Lorraine Molinari
Queen Bee of Medicare