The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) submitted comprehensive comments in response to the Calendar Year (CY) 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program proposed rule. Citing looming Medicare cuts, the AAFP strongly urged the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to use its authority to secure financial stability for primary care in the final rule.
The AAFP recommended that CMS immediately implement a clinical labor pricing update, increase payment for vaccine administration services, ensure permanent coverage and payment for audio-only telehealth services, and improve payment for chronic care management.
The AAFP signaled support for CMS’ plan to implement a new MIPS reporting option, known as MIPS Value Pathways, as long as it meaningfully reduces the burden of reporting to MIPS and helps practices move into alternative payment models. Relatedly, the AAFP is urging Congress to intervene to avert cuts to Medicare physician payment due to budget neutrality.