CMS calls for 7% hike in reimbursements to family physicians

A proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) would increase payments to family physicians by 7%. Other practitioners providing primary care services could see increases between 3% to 5%, CMS reports.

For the first time, CMS is proposing to pay for the care required to help a patient transition back to the community following discharge from a hospital or nursing facility. The proposal would call for CMS to make a separate payment to a patient's community physician or practitioner to coordinate the patient's care.

The final rule will be issued by November 1.