CMS Extends MIPS Deadline to February 2021 To further support clinicians during the COVID-19 public health emergency, CMS is extending the 2020 Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Exception application deadline to February 1, 2021. For the 2020 performance year, CMS will be using the Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances policy to allow...

CMS Announces Updated CPT codes and Instructions for E/M Office Codes for 2021 The AMA CPT Editorial Panel has recently approved revisions to the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Evaluation and Management (E/M) office or other outpatient services codes, which will have significant implications on coding and documentation for these vital services. The changes are scheduled...

CMS Releases 2021 Final Outpatient Prospective Payment System/Ambulatory Surgical Center Rule On December 2, CMS finalized policy changes for the Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) final rules. In this final rule, CMS will begin eliminating the inpatient only (IPO) list of 1,700 procedures for which Medicare will only pay when...

CMS Releases 2021 Final Physician Fee Schedule Rule On December 1, 2020, CMS finalized its Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Rule for the calendar year (CY) 2021. Office and Outpatient Evaluation and Management (E/M) Visits Last year, CMS finalized an important policy change in the 2020 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule when it adopted CPT...