CMS issues proposed rule for CY 2016 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has posted the proposed rule for the 2016 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.  The 815-page rule includes announcements of potentially misvalued services (including anesthesia for upper and lower endoscopy and intravascular catheterization procedures).  The proposed rule also addresses the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) and the Value Based Modifier.  Additionally, CMS requests comments on certain aspects of implementation of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA), the legislation that repealed the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula.

ASA staff is reviewing the proposed rule and will provide a more detailed analysis in the near future.