CMS proposes 2027 Physician Fee Schedule updates

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the proposed Calendar Year 2027 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS). Key updates include a proposed decrease in the conversion factor for both general and anesthesia services, following an increase in 2026.

For anesthesia practices, the rule proposes changes to how PE RVUs are calculated and allocated, alongside updates to the Quality Payment Program (QPP) and the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). The proposal suggests that the Ambulatory Specialty Model (ASM) will replace Traditional MIPS reporting for certain anesthesiologists and pain medicine physicians starting in 2027. Additionally, two new anesthesia MIPS quality measures are proposed, while measures 430 and 463 would be removed.

CMS is also seeking stakeholder input via a Request for Information (RFI) regarding the integration of technology in primary care. This inquiry explores the payment implications of including technology in medical services, a move that could influence clinical workflows, physician training, and the structural delivery of healthcare as artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent in clinical settings.