The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently published the proposed draft of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) for 2021 and will be accepting comments until October 5th. The proposed fee schedule is being analyzed by stakeholders and other interested parties to determine the potential impacts.
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) shared some key takeaways for cancer programs:
Hematology and oncology will face an estimated plus 14% overall impact
Radiation oncology will face an estimated minus 6% overall impact
Minor impact is due to changes in CPT codes
The primary impact will come from evaluation and management (E&M) payment changes and the budget neutrality requirement
There is more to come for both the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and the Outpatient Prospective Payment System as advocates for cancer care push back about budget neutrality for 2021, lobby for permanent changes for reimbursement of telehealth services that went into effect in response to the public health emergency, and work to ease value-based program requirements for the coming year as well.
Interested in learning more? ASCO is hosting a webinar titled, “Practice Leadership: 2021 MPFS & OPPS Rules” on Thursday, August 20th at 1:00 PM Pacific Time. Can’t make the webinar? Check back here for a recap!
Learn more during ASCO’s upcoming webinar on August 20th: