Medicare Finalizes 2024 Physician Fee Rule with Pay Increases, Telehealth Extension, and New Behavioral Health Coverage

The CY 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule announces policy changes affecting physician payment, including increased payment for primary care and direct patient care.

The rule continues many COVID-19 public health emergency telehealth flexibilities through 2024, including allowing telehealth for mental health services from home and virtual supervision of residents.

The rule implements new coverage and payment for services from mental health counselors, marriage counselors, and addiction counselors in Medicare. It also increases valuation of behavioral health services.

The rule finalizes payment for dental exams and treatment prior to cancer treatment and transplants, building on 2023 policies to cover dental care inextricably linked to Medicare services.

The rule pauses implementation of Appropriate Use Criteria for advanced diagnostic imaging and makes changes to the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program and ambulance policies.