CMS's 2020 Proposed Physician Rule

Recorded on August 27th, 2020

The proposed rule was released a month later than usual, but is packed with policy changes and news.

CMS confirms, again, that it is accepting the AMA/CPT® coding changes for office and other outpatient visit codes 99202—99215. An increase in the RVUs for these services comes with a significant decrease in the conversion factor. There are proposed changes to telehealth after the public health emergency, clarifications to remote monitoring coding, and updates on scope of practice and supervision.

Join us for this webinar and see what CMS has in store for 2021.

This webinar will provide a high-level overview of the policy changes that CMS discusses in their 2021 proposed rule.

At the end of the session, participants will be able to:

Describe the timeline for comments and the final rule
List policy changes that will affect their practices in the next year
Prepare for telehealth changes after the public health emergency

Webinar materials

To request the CEU, watch the video and complete the post-test below. Please note: AAPC requires a score of 70% correct or better to receive CEU credit.

The timeline for the proposed and final physician rule usually is:

a) Proposed rule released in June/July with a 60-day comment period; final rule Nov 1, effective date January 1 of next year
b) Proposed rule in April, final rule in September
c) The timeline is established in each rule
d) Subject to Congressional approval

This year, when will the Final Rule be released?

a) September 1
b) October 1
c) November 1
d) December 1

What did CMS decide about the AMA/CPT changes for codes 99202—99215 in 2021?

a) CMS put off the decision for another year
b) CMS rejected the AMA changes
c) CMS will continue its proposal to pay bundled rate for three levels of service
d) CMS is accepting the AMA changes to 99202--99215

Revaluing the E/M codes resulted in revaluing other services, which include E/M services. Which of these did CMS not revalue?

a) Maternity care
b) Services with a 10 and 90 day global period
c) Monthly capitation for end stage renal disease
d) Transitional care management

CMS is proposing to add a third category of telehealth services that would be temporary during the public health emergency. When would these end, and practices no longer be able to provide the services via telehealth?

a) The day the public health emergency ended
b) Three months after HHS ends the public health emergency
c) At the end of the calendar year in which the public health emergency ended
d) They did not name a date

CMS does not consider virtual communications to be “Medicare telehealth services” because they do not use real time, interactive communication technology. These services do require patient consent. What type of consent is required?

a) Verbal consent performed by auxiliary staff, under general supervision, or obtained by the provider, annually
b) Written consent
c) Written consent that includes an estimate of the patient due amount
d) No consent is required

CMS is proposing an add-on code, GPC1X. What specialties may use this code?

a) Primary care only
b) CMS is not restricting its use by specialty
c) Surgical specialties
d) Physicians of any specialty, but not PAs or NPs

After the public health emergency ends, what is CMS proposing about telephone codes 99441--99443

a) They will continue to pay them, but at a lower rate
b) They will continue to pay them at the current, higher rate
c) They are not proposing to recognize and pay them after the public health emergency ends
d) Those codes will be deleted

99454 (Remote monitoring of physiologic parameter(s) (e.g., weight, blood pressure, pulse oximetry, respiratory flow rate), initial; device(s) supply with daily recording(s) or programmed alert(s) transmission, each 30 days). CMS clarified that for remote physiological monitoring code 99454 (defined above) the data:

a) Can be faxed to the practice
b) Could be patient recorded and/or self reported
c) Must be collected digitally (i.e. automatically) and uploaded
d) They did not comment on this

True or false? CMS is changing payment for the global post op period in 2021.

a) True
b) False

Members LOGIN to register

Not a member? There are two ways to watch:

Purchase this webinar for $129, includes access to the recorded webinar, and downloadable companion resources. Or, get FREE access, see details below.

PURCHASE

CodingIntel members get access to our on-line library of coding resources, including regular updates on coding changes that affect your practice. Membership includes FREE access to all webinars! If you miss one, you can watch on-demand anytime.

BECOME A MEMBER

*This program has the prior approval of AAPC for 1 continuing education credit. Granting of prior approval in no way constitutes endorsement by AAPC of the program content or the program sponsor.

**Webinar access is limited to one phone line per registration/membership. Your office staff can listen in via speakerphone or your computer’s audio connection. Additional connections subject to additional fees. If purchasing on-demand, and CEUs are offered, they are only available to the purchaser.