Who Were the Winners and Losers in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule?

Why This Topic Matters

The Medicare Physician Fee Schedule affects physician reimbursement and specialty-level payment patterns, so even small updates can influence planning, budgeting, and compliance awareness across practices and laboratories.

Article Sections

1. Conversion Factor

   Introduces the annual change in the conversion factor and frames it within the fee schedule update process.

2. Rundown

   Summarizes the broader CMS policy context shaping the 2017 fee schedule and its estimated effects on allowed charges.

3. Who Came Out Ahead and Who Fell Behind

   Describes the overall pattern of estimated specialty-level impacts and highlights which provider groups are most affected.

4. Status quo

   Notes that many providers are expected to see limited overall change while still experiencing effects from service and code revaluation.