Just as happens every summer, CMS has released its proposed rule with updates and changes to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule that will take effect on January 1, 2014.  Not unexpectedly, the Agency is projecting that the sustainable growth rate (SGR) impact would be a 24.4 percent cut in 2014.  Do not bank on this number though.  It is going to change before the end of the year. Of greater significance, CMS has proposed modifications to quality reporting under both the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) and electronic health record (EHR) incentive programs.  The basic PQRS principle for 2014 remains the same: eligible professionals (EPs), including anesthesiologists, pain physicians and nurse anesthetists who satisfactorily report data on PQRS quality measures are eligible to receive an incentive bonus equal to 0.5 percent of the total estimated Medicare Part B allowed charges for all covered professional services furnished by the eligible professional or group practice...