In October, we alerted you to the advocacy efforts NANS was leading on behalf of 13 medical societies, representing 95,000 physicians, to extend coverage for SCS in Washington State. On Friday, November 17, the State's Health Technology Clinical Committee met to hear from stakeholders on the issue. 

On November 2, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its calendar year 2024 final rule for the physician fee schedule. The rule will cut the conversion factor by 3.4%, to $32.74 in the calendar year (CY) 2024, as compared to $33.89 in CY 2023. This reflects the expiration of the 2.5% statutory payment increase for CY 2023; a 1.25% statutory payment increase for 2024; a 0.00% conversion factor update under the Medicare Access and Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act; and a budget-neutrality adjustment.