This week, Representatives Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA) and Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN) announced that they led over 245 Members of Congress in a letter urging House Leadership to address looming Medicare physician fee schedule (PFS) payment cuts to health care providers that will further strain patient access to care.
The letter requests House leadership that while there is a need to identify and consider potential long-term payment reforms, there is an urgent need to create stability by addressing immediate payment cuts facing health care professionals on January 1, 2022. Specifically, the letter states “As Congress considers a framework to ensure appropriate reimbursements and improve the Medicare payment system broadly, we must act before the end of the year to avert the imminent cuts, including extending the 3.75% payment adjustment, and provide continued stability for physicians and other health care professionals.”
The letter further states that the combined impact of the PFS cut, the 2 percent Medicare sequester cut, and other factors “…means that all health care professionals are likely facing at least 9 percent in cuts to Medicare payment, unless Congress takes action.”
If the Congressional relief is not provided before the end of the year, the cuts could impact SNF therapy reimbursement as well as resident access to providers who furnish services to residents in SNFs and AL residences including physicians, portable x-ray and laboratory service providers. Over 135 national associations, including AHCA/NCAL, and dozens of state advocacy associations have indicated support for the legislative relief requested by Reps. Bera, Bucshon, and the majority of the members of the U.S. House of Representatives.