Physician fee schedule: With scope of practice changes, CMS loosens authority for many providers

Why This Topic Matters

These Medicare policy changes affect how services are supervised, documented, and billed across multiple provider types and care settings. Understanding the scope of practice updates helps organizations assess compliance risk and prepare for changes to teaching physician and office/outpatient payment policies.

Article Sections

1. CMS scope of practice changes under the 2021 physician fee schedule

   An overview of CMS policy changes affecting non-physician practitioners and other qualified health professionals. The section frames the final rule in the context of scope of practice and broader Medicare policy updates.

2. Allowances extended beyond the public health emergency

   A summary of several flexibilities CMS approved for different provider groups and service categories. The section discusses supervision, incident-to services, maintenance therapy, and medical record documentation review.

3. Teaching physician flexibilities and permanent changes

   Coverage of temporary and permanent adjustments affecting teaching physicians, residents, and supervision arrangements. The section also addresses documentation expectations and setting-based differences.

4. Teaching physician supervision requirements and selected procedures

   Discussion of the mode of supervision CMS expects for teaching physicians and how certain procedure types remain subject to in-person requirements. The section references selected procedure code examples.

5. Primary care exception changes at the end of the public health emergency

   An outline of how the expanded primary care exception will be reduced after the public health emergency ends. The section identifies the affected office and outpatient E/M code families.