On July 13, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the calendar year (CY) 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program (QPP) proposed rule that would update payment rates for physicians and other health care professionals, extend telehealth waivers and flexibilities, refine the Shared Savings Program, revise the QPP, and change other policies.
The CMS proposed to lower the conversion factor to $32.75 for 2024, a decrease of $1.14 (or 3.34%) compared to 2023. Beginning in 2024, the agency proposed to implement a separate add-on payment to recognize resource costs associated with evaluation and management visits for primary care and longitudinal care for patients with a single, serious, or complex chronic condition.
The rule also includes proposals to pay for services addressing health-related social needs and screening. The CMS would continue to delay implementation of the definition of “substantive portion” of a split (shared) service as being more than half of the total time for an additional year until Dec. 31, 2024. The agency also proposed to implement the extension of certain telehealth waivers and flexibilities under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (H.R. 2617) and to allow teaching physicians to supervise key portions of services through real-time audio and video technology when a resident furnishes telehealth services in all residency training locations through the end of CY 2024.
Comments are due Sept. 11.
- Washington Highlights