CMS Issues 2022 MPFS and QPP Proposed Rule

With a temporary COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE)-related 3.75 percent payment boost expiring, the proposed CY 2022 MPFS conversion factor (CF) is $33.58, a $1.31 decrease from the CY 2021 PFS CF of $34.89. With the 2 percent Medicare sequester set to resume next year and additional Medicare payment cuts of up to 4 percent possible under pay-as-you-go rules to pay for the American Rescue Plan, providers could be facing up to 9 percent in payment cuts next year unless Congress intervenes.

Clinical Lab Pricing

CMS previously finalized an increased nominal specimen collection fee and associated travel allowance for the collection of COVID-19 testing for non-inpatients via new G-codes G2023 and 2024. The agency confirms this would conclude with the PHE. CMS proposes to update the clinical labor pricing according to the amounts summarized in Table 5 in conjunction with the final year of the supply and equipment pricing update. Anticipated impacts per specialty are summarized in Table 6. CMS seeks comment on its specimen collection fees and methodology for calculating travel allowance, including additional resources for COVID-19 tests. CMS also proposed to permanently allow use of electronic travel logs.

Source: https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/cms-issues-2022-mpfs-and-qpp-proposed-2577207/