Town Hall Webinars for Upcoming Medical Fee Schedule Changes

The Bureau’s workers’ compensation medical payment and fee schedule rules are receiving several important updates this year, and we want to help you stay ahead of the changes. To help employers, providers, and other stakeholders better understand the updates, the Bureau will host a series of town hall sessions in March. See times and registration below. The rule changes take effect April 1, when the new rate tables will be effective.

A refreshed Medical Fee Schedule handbook will also be available before April 1 to guide bill review, billing practices, and medical payments.

Key Updates

Below is a quick overview of key updates to expect in the new payment period.

1. Clarifying When Rule Changes Take Effect (Chapter 17.01)

Updates to medical payments, the medical fee schedule, and inpatient hospital fees will now follow a consistent annual timeline. Instead of going into effect when signed, rule changes officially begin each April 1 with the publication of new rate tables.

2. Telehealth Payment Parity (Chapter 17.05)

Telehealth services are to be reimbursed at the same rate as in-person‑ care.

3. Fee Schedule Calculations (Chapter 18.02)

Several maximum allowable reimbursement rates (MAR) have been updated for specialty areas to match inflation including therapy services, chiropractic care, evaluation and management, general medicine, and home health.

4. State‑Specific Modifiers (Chapter 18.02 – State Modifiers Section)

The updated rules remove the “OP” modifier and introduce a new Tennessee-‑specific “CP” modifier for certified physicians listed on the Certified Physician Registry. The CP modifier applies only to Tennessee jurisdictional claims, may not be billed during Medicare’s global period, and may be subject to contract negotiation.

5. Reduction in the categories of Reimbursements (Chapter 18.02)

The categories for reimbursement have been reduced from 7 to 4.

6. Increased Reimbursement for Psychological Services (Chapter 18.14)

Reimbursement for psychological treatment services provided by clinicians other than licensed psychiatrists are based on 85% of the maximum allowable rates derived from 200% of Medicare.

Upcoming Virtual Town Hall Sessions:

The Bureau will offer several opportunities in March to learn more about these updates:

• Tuesday, March 17 at 9 a.m. (Register)
• Tuesday, March 17 at 2 p.m. (Register)
• Friday, March 20 at 12 p.m. (Register)
• Tuesday, March 24 at 11 a.m. (Register)

A quick reminder: Tennessee’s Medical Fee Schedule sets the maximum amounts that may be paid for medical services, equipment, and supplies provided to injured workers. It does not establish fixed fees but instead outlines upper limits unless a waiver is granted. The MFS Handbook explains how reimbursements are calculated and how the schedule applies under Tennessee’s workers’ compensation law.