FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 1, 2020
Media Contact:
Emily Dowsett
Associate Director, Public Affairs
edowsett@mgma.com
MGMA Comments to CMS on Proposed 2021 Physician Fee Schedule
WASHINGTON, DC – The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Thursday on the proposed 2021 Physician Fee Schedule to address the concerns and feedback of medical group practices to the Administration so it can consider the practical impact of its proposals.
In its comments, MGMA recommends that CMS:
- Continue to reimburse audio-only remote visits at a rate that adequately covers the cost of care.
- Move forward with implementing improvements to Evaluation and Management office visits on Jan. 1, 2021 but take action to prevent physician payment cuts due to budget neutrality adjustments.
- Delay proposed changes to Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) ACO quality reporting.
- Implement an automatic hardship exception for participants in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) for the 2020 and 2021 performance years, similar to policy implemented for the 2019 performance year.
“As the nation’s medical practices begin the new year in the midst of a pandemic and public health crisis, MGMA urges CMS to take prudent steps to help struggling practices survive,” said Anders Gilberg, Senior Vice President, MGMA Government Affairs. “Stopping severe cuts to important physician specialties, maintaining telehealth funding, and reducing administrative burden should take priority as the Agency finalizes the 2021 Medicare physician fee schedule.”
For more details on the comment letter, read the full document here.
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