CMS Proposes Provider Reimbursement for End-of-Life Care July 13, 2015 Health Care Reform, News CMS proposed rule, end-of-life care, Medicare provider reimbursement 0 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the first proposed update to the Medicare physician payment schedule since the repeal of the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula through the Medicare Access and Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) Reauthorization Act of 2015. One of the biggest changes in the CMS proposal is the assignment of codes to pay providers for end-of-life consultations. In addition the department would make advance care planning “an optional element” of a beneficiary's annual wellness visit. The document includes a 0.5% overall increase in Medicare reimbursement in 2016 for all providers. The release of the rule triggers a 60-day comment period by stakeholders and the public. CMS is accepting public comments on the proposed rule until September 8, 2015. A final rule will be published this fall. Click here for a fact sheet on the proposed rule. The full rule will be published in the Federal Register on July 15. Comments are closed.
