Trick or Treat: Docs Left Holding the Bag

The day after Halloween, there were no treats for doctors.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule for the 2025 calendar year (CY) on Nov. 1.

CMS will cut the conversion factor nearly 3 percent (2.8), representing $32.35. The cut reflects what had been the statutory payment increase made in 2024.

And while CMS did make other cuts, the agency also extended several notable telehealth waivers, including the requirement for practices to list their practice address, rather than their home address, when performing Medicare services from their homes.

Most notably, however, CMS updated its definition of an interactive telecommunications system, noting that the system could include two-way, audio-only communication if the Medicare beneficiary did not consent to nor have video technology.

Of singular importance is the fact that CMS also finalized several earlier proposals related to the reporting and returning of Part A and Part B overpayments, allowing providers time to calculate overpayments.

For more information on the 2025 Physician Fee Schedule, keep checking here at RACmonitor and ICD10monitor.

Additional information is available at: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/calendar-year-cy-2025-medicare-physician-fee-schedule-final-rule