Physician fee schedule: 2020 fee schedule confirms E/M overhaul, updated rates, new codes and more

Why This Topic Matters

The final fee schedule affects Medicare payment, documentation expectations, and reporting requirements across multiple service categories. It is important for practices that bill Medicare to understand which policies change in 2020 versus 2021, what new codes or modifiers are introduced, and where future rulemaking may still alter reporting and reimbursement.

Article Sections

1. CMS confirms 2021 E/M direction

   Overview of the finalized Medicare approach to office and outpatient E/M services, including broad payment and documentation changes scheduled for a future year.

2. Care management, new codes and more

   Discussion of several Medicare service updates, including care management, online digital evaluation services, potentially misvalued services, telehealth treatment-related additions, documentation flexibility, primary care add-ons, and prolonged service policy changes.

3. Assess 2020 QPP updates

   Summary of finalized Quality Payment Program changes, including MIPS category weighting, scoring thresholds, MVP development, and QCDR-related updates.

4. Physician assistants gain leeway

   Coverage of finalized Medicare policy changes affecting physician assistants and certified registered nurse anesthetists in selected practice and assessment roles.

5. Additional news and notes

   Miscellaneous Medicare updates affecting therapy billing, therapy thresholds, modifier use, and implantable glucose monitor code pricing and comment requests.