CMS CY 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule

The CY 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule was placed on display at the Federal Register on December 2, 2020. This final rule updates payment policies, payment rates, and other provisions for services furnished under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) on or after Jan. 1, 2021. This final rule updates policies affecting the calculation of payment rates and includes misvalued codes. It also adds services to the telehealth list including a third temporary category for services added under the PHE, as well as certain other revisions to telehealth services. It also addresses direct supervision as it relates to interactive technology, payment for teaching physicians, and provides clarification on medical record documentation. Additionally, this final rule includes several regulatory actions regarding professional scope of practice for certain non-physician practitioners. This final rule also provides clarification to the implementation of Section 2005 of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act, which creates a new Medicare Part B benefit for Opioid Treatment Programs. The calendar year (CY) 2021 PFS final rule is one of several rules that reflect a broader Administration-wide strategy to create a healthcare system that results in better accessibility, quality, affordability, empowerment, and innovation.