Aviacode Blog CMS Physician Fee Schedule Includes E/M Coding Updates for 2021

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule that implemented evaluation and management (E/M) CPT code revisions effective January 1, 2021. The E/M code changes increased the work relative value units (wRVUs). However, because all fee schedule changes are required by law to be budget neutral, CMS decreased the conversion factor (CF) used in the fee schedule, resulting in lower reimbursement for other services. Additionally, CMS introduced two new codes, which may result in a new coding audit focus. And telehealth resulting in more than 60 services being added were among some of the other changes in the 2,165 page final rule.