On July 14, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its Calendar Year (CY) 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Proposed Rule, which includes updates to Medicare Part B payments and policies, the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP), the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) rebate program, and more.

The rule includes several updates to the methodology for determining the physician fee schedule aimed at improving reimbursement for primary and preventive care. In a press release, CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz said, "We're proposing some of the most significant Medicare reforms in recent years to strengthen primary care, expand accountable care, and modernize physician payment." He added, "These changes would make it easier for clinicians to focus on prevention, improve coordination for patients, and ensure Medicare rewards better outcomes rather than more services."

John Brooks, CMS Deputy Administrator and Director of the Center for Medicare, said, "Expanding accountable care is a critical part of making the Medicare program work well for patients." He added, "Our goal is simple: deliver better outcomes for patients by appropriately incentivizing providers, improving quality measurement, and reducing administrative burden."

The proposed rule will be open for comment until September 14.

• Press release, Fact sheet on the proposed rule, Fact sheet on the Quality Payment Program, Proposed rule

Additional information is available in the WCEY Health Alert, attached below.