CMS boosts conversion factor for 2021 fee schedule by 8%, RVUs stay steady

Why This Topic Matters

Changes to the Medicare physician fee schedule can affect reimbursement expectations, practice budgeting, and compensation planning across a wide range of services. Readers following Medicare payment policy need to understand how federal legislative actions reshaped 2021 fee updates and RVU-related impacts.

Article Sections

1. Revised 2021 Medicare conversion factor

   Covers CMS’s updated fee schedule payment factor for 2021 and the general effect on expected reimbursement changes.

2. Impact on selected services and procedures

   Discusses how the updated payment calculation affects example services and procedures across common Medicare fee schedule categories.

3. Legislative background and budget neutrality

   Summarizes the federal legislation that influenced the fee schedule update and the broader payment redistribution context.

4. Industry response and longer-term payment concerns

   Presents reactions from medical group organizations and general concerns about Medicare payment updates and practice costs.