In this review: CY 2021 Revisions to Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Medicare Policies (final rule)
Effective date: Jan. 1, 2021
2021 QPP Final Rule Fact Sheet

The big picture: Every year, CMS is legally obligated to propose and finalize its rule on the Quality Payment Program, known as QPP, that governs the Merit-based Incentive Payment System and participation in Advanced Alternative Payment Models. This time around, CMS opted to scale back the rule in light of the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, limiting most of the finalized changes to essential policies and reduced administrative burden. In the end, the final rule largely mirrors the proposed rule issued in August.