2021 payment preview: Charges up 16% for some specialties, down 10% for others

Why This Topic Matters

The article helps readers assess whether the proposed Medicare fee schedule changes may materially affect their specialty’s revenue and documentation environment. It is useful for evaluating the potential financial impact of E/M valuation changes before final rulemaking.

Article Sections

1. Endocrinology, primary care pace gainers

   Summarizes the specialty-level payment projections discussed in the proposed rule and identifies groups expected to see relative gains or losses. It also notes the general pattern of how practice mix may influence the direction of payment changes.

2. E/M rates seek a rebalance

   Describes the broader Medicare policy context behind the proposed office visit valuation changes and the expected downstream effect on other services. It also discusses budget neutrality and the role of CMS and AMA RUC valuations at a high level.