ACR Releases Early Summary of 2027 MPFS Proposed Rule

CMS released the 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) proposed rule July 14. ACR^® created an initial summary of provisions of the proposed rule that have a direct impact on imaging practices.

Beginning Jan. 1, there are two separate conversion factors resulting from the Medicare Access and CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA). The 2027 conversion factor for services provided by a qualifying Advanced Alternative Payment Model (APM) participant is proposed to be $33.1693, down from the current conversion factor of $33.5675. The proposed rate is inclusive of a 0.75% annual update and a positive 0.53% budget neutrality adjustment.

Services provided by non-APM participants have a proposed conversion factor of $32.8409, down from the current conversion factor of $33.4009. The proposed rate includes a 0.25% annual update and a positive 0.53% budget neutrality adjustment. Both conversion factors see an aggregate decrease due to the expiration of the one year 2.5% conversion factor increase mandated by law.

If the provisions within the proposed rule are finalized, CMS estimates an overall impact of the MPFS proposed changes to be positive 2% for radiology, 2% for nuclear medicine, 3% for interventional radiology and 3% for radiation oncology.

In addition to proposed payment provisions, the rule also includes proposed changes to policies for Medicare’s Quality Payment Program and its component participation methods — the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System and Advanced APMs.

A detailed summary of the proposed rule will be provided in the coming weeks.

If you have questions about the proposed rule or for more information, contact Katie Keysor, ACR Senior Director of Economic Policy.