The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the calendar year (CY) 2020 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) proposed rule on July 29, 2019, scheduled to be published in the August 14, 2019 Federal Register. Proposed changes to the CY 2020 Physician Fee Schedule are aimed at reducing burden, recognizing clinicians for the time they spend taking care of patients, removing unnecessary measures, and making it easier for clinicians to be on the path towards value-based care.

CMS will be conducting a listening session on Monday, August 12, 2019 from 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm to briefly cover three provisions from the proposed rule and address clarifying questions, to assist providers with formulating written comments for formal submission. Registration for the listening session is required. The three provisions include:

• Increasing value of Evaluation and Management (E/M) payments;
• Continuing to improve the Quality Payment Program by streamlining the program’s requirements in order to reduce clinician burden; and
• Creating the new Opioid Treatment Program benefit in response to the opioid epidemic.

Providers are encouraged to review the following materials prior to the call:

• Proposed rule
• Press release
• Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule fact sheet
• Quality Payment Program proposed rule fact sheet

CMS has noted that feedback received from providers during this listening session is not a substitute for formal comments on the rule. Contact Melissa Dehoff, RCPA Director of Rehabilitation Services, with questions.