This week, AHCA/NCAL
submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in response to a
proposed rule to update the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) for calendar year 2022. The PFS includes coverage and payment policies impacting residents of nursing facilities, assisted living residences, and residences for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These include services such as physical and occupational therapy, speech-language-pathology, physician, portable x-ray, clinical labs, in addition to services from other care providers and suppliers paid under Medicare Part B benefits.
AHCA/NCAL’s comments focused on these specific topic areas:
- Therapy Services
- Practice Expense Value Factors
- Telehealth and Oher Communication Technologies
- Clinical Laboratory Services
- Medical Review Requirements
- Electronic Prescribing for Controlled Substances for Covered Part D Drugs
The most significant AHCA/NCAL request was for CMS to use administrative discretion to delay implementation of the reduced Medicare Part B payment for physical and occupational therapy services furnished in whole or in part by therapy assistants at 85 percent of the current rates. These adjustments are required by law to be implemented on January 1, 2022. For further details, please review AHCA/NCAL’s
submitted comments