AASLD says everyone positive for hepatitis B surface antigen needs HDV testing; final 2027 Medicare fee schedule cuts conversion factor 2.31%

• Guidelines Nov 6, 2026
  AASLD expert opinion calls for HDV antibody testing in everyone positive for hepatitis B surface antigen
  The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) published its second expert-based practice opinion, on diagnosing and managing hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection, in Hepatology. It says all people who test positive for hepatitis B surface antigen should undergo HDV antibody testing at least once, names bulevirtide for chronic virologic suppression in treatment candidates and suggests lab monitoring and liver cancer surveillance imaging every six months. "HDV has historically been challenging to diagnose and manage," said Dr. Joseph K. Lim of Yale School of Medicine.
  Sources: Hepatology, AASLD, PubMed
• Payment Nov 4, 2026
  CMS final 2027 fee schedule cuts conversion factor 2.31% and pays same-day visits with 0-day global procedures at 80%
  The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the calendar year 2027 Medicare physician fee schedule final rule, setting the conversion factor at $32.63 for clinicians outside qualifying alternative payment models, a decrease of $0.77 (2.31%), and at $32.95 for qualifying participants, a decrease of 1.83%. When a separately identifiable office or outpatient visit is furnished on the same day as a 0-day global procedure, the highest-paid service will be paid at 100% and the others at 80%, rather than 50% as proposed, according to CMS. The rule also phases out the indirect practice cost index over two years.
  Source: CMS

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