Medicare Published Two Different Prices for the Same New Modifier

CMS retires G2211 on January 1 and replaces it with modifier B1, then published a spreadsheet to explain the swap. The rule values B1 at 16 percent of the E/M service's total RVUs. The spreadsheet adds 16 percent of the work RVU and nothing else. The two readings sit $10.96 apart on a 99214 and $537.8 million apart across the E/M family, and the 32 percent ACO version doubles whichever one your contractor picks.

CMS published a spreadsheet last week to settle an argument and started a larger one.

The file is called "CY 2027 PFS Final Rule Mod B1 B2 Adjusted RVUs." One sheet, seventeen rows, one footnote.

Commenters on the proposed fee schedule asked for it by name: a crosswalk mapping the new complexity modifiers to comparable RVUs at each visit level, so work-RVU compensation models keep running after HCPCS code G2211 disappears on January 1.

CMS agreed and shipped it. The footnote, in full:

"Mod B1 increases the work RVU by 16%, Mod B2 increases the work RVU by 32%"

The 2,468-page rule those modifiers come from describes a different calculation. Twice.

The rest of this brief is for subscribers.