On November 2, CMS finalized the 2017 Physician Fee Schedule final rule. Changes within this year’s final rule, emphasize the importance of primary care, with improved payments for chronic care management and behavioral health. The rule also finalizes policies to expand the Diabetes Prevention Program, with the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) expanded model, starting January 1, 2018. Additional policies finalized in the 2017 payment rule include:

• Primary care and care coordination
• Mental and behavioral health
• Cognitive impairment care assessment and planning

For your convenience, listed below are the links to the PFS Final Rule and related Fact Sheets. MPFS Final Rule: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/11/15/2016-26668/medicare-program-revisions-to-payment-policies-under-the-physician-fee-schedule-and-other-revisions CMS MPFS Final Rule Fact Sheet: https://www.cms.gov/Newsroom/MediaReleaseDatabase/Fact-sheets/2016-Fact-sheets-items/2016-11-02.html MDDP Fact Sheet: https://www.cms.gov/Newsroom/MediaReleaseDatabase/Fact-sheets/2016-Fact-sheets-items/2016-11-02.html