ACOI Joins in Support of Legislation to Modernize Medicare Physician Payment

Year over year cuts to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) threatens access to needed care. Since 2001, Medicare physician payment has been reduced by 33 percent after adjusting for inflation. Additional reductions are slated for 2027. To this end, ACOI recently joined with other osteopathic organizations in support of the Patients First Act (H.R. 9693).

This important legislation would modernize Medicare physician payment by: providing a permanent annual update tied to the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) to better reflect increases in practice costs; update budget neutrality policies; create a physician-led process for developing simplified, clinically relevant quality measures; and provide a positive adjustment to the Geographic Practice Cost Index (GPCI).  You can read the letter of support sent to the leaders of the House of Representatives here.

While the House and Senate have returned from their August recess to address government funding and other issues, it is unlikely that Congress will take any action on Medicare physician reimbursement prior to the mid-term elections in early November. As this is a top legislative priority for ACOI, it will continue to be closely monitored. Updates will be provided when they become available.