NASW alerted members that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule to seek public comments on proposed policy changes for Medicare payments under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and other Medicare Part B issues beginning Jan. 1, 2024. NASW sent comments to CMS in September.
The 2024 proposed PFS reflects a broader CMS strategy to create a more equitable health care system that results in better access to care, quality, affordability, and innovation. Some of the topics relevant to social workers are:
Telehealth Services: Proposes a new process for adding, removing, or otherwise changing codes in the Medicare Telehealth Service list, and creates differential payment based on the place of service.
Behavioral and Social Needs: Outlines policies to promote behavioral health care and services addressing health-related social needs.
Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS): Raises the MIPS performance threshold to 82 points in 2024, from 75 points in 2022 and 2023.