Cardiologists, other healthcare providers speak out against ‘detrimental’ cuts included in MPFS final rule

CMS has released the 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) final rule, leaving healthcare organizations throughout the United States with concerns about what new reimbursement cuts might mean for business going forward.

The final rule includes a conversion factor decrease from $36.09 to $32.41 and reimbursement cuts that advocacy groups have been fighting for months.

It is widely believed that these cuts could make a serious impact on cardiologists, radiologists, oncologists and other providers who do not frequently bill for evaluation and management (E/M) services. While the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and numerous other organization pushed back when these cuts were first proposed, CMS still moved forward with the controversial policy change.

The ACC highlighted the final rule’s many updates in a thorough breakdown on its website. The group has also indicated that it is working with Congress to “identify and develop” solutions that could help providers in this trying time.