Overview
On Nov. 2, 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the CY 2022 Medicare
Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Final Rule. The agency estimates the final rule will have no impact on
overall neurosurgical payments. However, absent Congressional action, neurosurgeons face multiple
Medicare payment cuts, including cuts stemming from the lower conversion factor — $34.89 in 2021 to
$33.59 in 2022 — due primarily to the discontinuation of the 3.75% payment adjustment included in the
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. With the 2% Medicare sequester set to resume next year and
additional Medicare payment cuts of up to 4% possible under pay-as-you-go rules, neurosurgeons face
cuts of nearly 10% in 2022. The final rule also includes provisions related to the Quality Payment
Program (QPP) and Medicare’s Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) Program for advanced diagnostic
imaging.
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