Shutdown Risks Delays for Health Rules on Payments, Devices

A government shutdown has the potential to delay progress on a string of health-related rules, including one much maligned by physicians, surgeons, and specialists.

The proposed 2022 Medicare physician fee schedule would determine how much doctors, surgeons, and other specialists are reimbursed by Medicare. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ proposed rule (RIN 0938-AU42) recommended the peeling back of a one-time increase to the conversion factor determining Medicare reimbursement. The one-time increase was aimed at helping providers that lost revenue during the pandemic. Medical groups disapproved of the conversion factor that was proposed July 13 in comments ...