CMS is proposing to pay for more dental services as part of its proposed Calendar Year 2023 Physician Fee Schedule released July 7.
Medicare Part B currently pays for dental services required for a patient's primary medical condition, including tooth extractions done in preparation for radiation treatment for jaw cancer. CMS is offering to pay for additional services, such as dental exams and treatment preceding an organ transplant.
The proposed physician fee schedule conversion factor for CY 2023 is $33.08, a decrease of $1.53 from 2022. CMS said in a July 7 news release that the conversion factor is the result of several statutory requirements, including expiration of the 3 percent increase in PFS payments for 2022 as required by the Protecting Medicare and American Farmers From Sequester Cuts Act.
The proposal comes after dozens of lawmakers wrote letters to CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure urging her to use her authority to expand coverage of medically necessary oral and dental healthcare for eligible Medicare beneficiaries.