ACOG warns of quality, cost losses ahead of planned 2021 E/M changes

Why This Topic Matters

It highlights a potential mismatch between office visit payment updates and maternity bundle reimbursement, which could affect practice revenue and patient access in obstetrics. Readers following Medicare physician fee schedule changes, maternity global package policy, or OB-GYN reimbursement trends will want to understand the issue.

Article Sections

1. Planned 2021 E/M office visit changes and ACOG response

   Introduces the scheduled office visit payment update and ACOG’s concerns about its potential impact on obstetric care. It also frames the issue within CMS rulemaking and physician fee schedule policy.

2. Effect on obstetric global maternity bundles

   Discusses how maternity services are paid under bundled arrangements rather than as standalone office visits. It describes ACOG’s concern that the payment update may not be reflected in those global arrangements.

3. Medicare, Medicaid, and broader payer impact

   Addresses the potential ripple effects beyond Medicare, including how other payers may respond to federal payment policy changes. It also notes concerns about practice sustainability and access for patients covered by Medicaid.

4. CMS meeting and fee schedule outlook

   Summarizes the stakeholder meeting with federal agencies and the expected timing of the proposed 2021 Medicare physician fee schedule. It places the article’s policy discussion in the context of upcoming CMS decisions.

5. Obstetric bundle payment example and projections

   Provides an example of a maternity global package and ACOG’s projected payment comparison for the affected period. It also references the conversion factor projections tied to the planned update.