UPDATE: CMS Announces ICD-10 Codes’ Impact on Medicare Quality Programs

Members & Publications

January 18, 2017

UPDATE: On January 18, 2017, CMS released updated information and a list of FAQs.


December 15, 2016: On October 1, new ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS code sets went into effect. As a result of the consolidated coding updates, a large number of new codes were added or removed. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) examined the impact to quality measures and determined that the updates will impact their ability to process data reported on certain quality measures for the fourth quarter of CY 2016.  Therefore, CMS will not apply the 2017 or 2018 PQRS payment adjustments, as applicable, to any eligible professional or group practice that fails to satisfactorily report for CY 2016 solely as a result of the impact of ICD-10 code updates on quality data reported for the fourth quarter of CY 2016.

What does this mean for you? You will be affected by this change ONLY If you were unable to satisfactorily participate in PQRS in 2016 because of ICD-10 code updates. CMS has not released the specific codes and measures included in this exclusion, so your Academy recommends continuing to meet your PQRS requirements.

Legislation Introduced to Alleviate Impact of Conversion Factor Cut for 2021

Nov 09, 2020

Last month, two bills were introduced in the House proposing solutions to the estimated 10.6% Physician Fee Schedule conversion factor cut expected to go into effect January 1, 2021.  The bills offer some relief to the cut, but do not reflect a comprehensive or long-term solution.  AAPM&R has therefore chosen to remain neutral regarding these bills. 

Your Academy continues to advocate for a permanent solution to the conversion factor cut while maintaining the important payment increases to office and outpatient evaluation and management services.