Last week, U.S. Representatives Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA) and Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN)
announced the introduction of bipartisan legislation to provide critical relief to providers responding to the COVID-19 pandemic who are currently scheduled to receive Medicare Part B payment cuts next year. Specifically, the Supporting Medicare Providers Act of 2021 (
H.R. 6020) would extend the 2022 Medicare physician payment adjustment of 3.75% for an additional year.
This follows an
announcement last month that these same representatives led over 245 Members of Congress in a letter urging House Leadership to address looming Medicare physician fee schedule (PFS) payment cuts.
If the Congressional relief is not provided before the end of the year, the cuts could impact SNF therapy reimbursement for long stay residents 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.