On July 7, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed changes to the Physician Fee Schedule to updates payment policies, payment rates, and quality provisions for services provided in calendar year 2017. These services include, but are not limited to visits, surgical procedures, diagnostic tests, therapy services, and specified preventive services. In addition to physicians, the fee schedule pays a variety of practitioners and entities, including nurse practitioners, physician assistants, physical therapists, as well as radiation therapy centers and independent diagnostic testing facilities.
Additional policies proposed in the 2017 payment rule include:

  • The annual Physician Fee Schedule
  • Primary care and care coordination
  • Mental and behavioral health
  • Cognitive impairment care assessment and planning
  • Care for patients with mobility-related impairments

Read the proposed rule here.  Comments are due by 5 pm on Sept. 6, 2016
For more information, CMS has provided a Fact Sheet. You also may stay up-to-date via their Blog
Read the full CMS press release, which was issued July 7.