The decreases to work relative value units (“wRVU”) for most physician services in the Final Rule [1] for the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (“MPFS”) will largely offset the reimbursement bump from the conversion factor (“CF”) rate increases for physicians in many specialties. While the 2026 CF rate for Alternative Payment Model Qualifying Participants (“QPs”) is 3.77% higher than the 2025 CF, and the rate for non-QPs is 3.26% higher, a standard 2.5% wRVU decrease appl

Since 2019, BuckheadFMV has conducted a national direct-to-physician call coverage survey . The survey provides meaningful data that informs fair market value appraisals and helps the industry better understand the physician burden factors associated with unrestricted call coverage arrangements. A key objective of the survey is tracking the relationship between unrestricted call coverage responsibilities and physician compensation across different specialties. In a retrospec

There are many situations where it makes sense to pay physicians on an hourly basis for services provided. Hourly compensation arrangements work well when a relatively short or definitive amount of time is being compensated. They are also suitable for arrangements where physician time, rather than physician output or production, is the valuable resource. Typical Hourly Compensation Arrangements Medical Directorships Medical directorships lend themselves well to hourly compens

Despite Stark Law enforcement seeming to have gone relatively quiet, according to a recent article by The National Law Review  (NLR), the strict liability statute’s six-year lookback period is ticking, and renewed compliance scrutiny is expected before those periods expire. With significant penalties at stake, the NLR article recommends that providers take advantage of the lull to reduce risk and review their compliance practices regarding physician arrangements and designate

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) recently issued the Final Rule announcing the 2026 policy changes for Medicare, including Part B issues and payments under the Physician Fee Schedule (“MPFS”), many of which take effect in January. According to the CMS Fact Sheet ,  “the calendar year (CY) 2026 MPFS final rule is one of several final rules that reflect a broader Administration-wide strategy to create a more equitable health care system that results in be