Final 2022 Medicare physician fee schedule round-up: Conversion factor cut, PAs freed and more

Why This Topic Matters

The rule affects Medicare reimbursement, billing workflow, and coverage policy across multiple settings and specialties. Readers will want to know which changes may influence payment rates, reporting requirements, and operational planning for the coming year.

Article Sections

1. Conversion factor and overall payment update

   Summarizes the annual Medicare physician fee schedule update and the general factors affecting 2022 payment changes.

2. Orthopedic procedure reimbursement

   Describes how selected surgical services are affected by the finalized fee schedule and where practice-level payment shifts may be noticed.

3. E/M and teaching physicians

   Covers finalized policy changes affecting teaching physicians who bill evaluation and management services under Medicare.

4. CMS slims therapy assistant reduction

   Explains changes affecting payment adjustments for therapy services involving assistants and the related reporting approach.

5. PAs approved for direct billing in 2022

   Summarizes the new Medicare billing and enrollment flexibility for physician assistants beginning in 2022.

6. Additional changes

   Reviews several other finalized Medicare policy updates, including coverage timing, prescribing requirements, vaccine administration, rehabilitation coverage, clinic payment limits, and diabetes prevention program changes.