10/22/2024
DEADLINE EXTENDED - THERE IS STILL TIME TO ACT!
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule (MPFS), which includes yet another reduction of 2.8 percent in physician Medicare payments effective January 1, 2025.
If Congress fails to take action before the end of the year, this cut will represent the fifth consecutive year that CMS has implemented reductions to physician payments under the MPFS. Without intervention, these ongoing cuts threaten Medicare beneficiaries' access to physicians and other healthcare providers in outpatient settings.
Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks, MD (R-IA) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), along with a bipartisan group of physician members of Congress, recently sent a "Dear Colleague" letter urging House leadership to act promptly to not only prevent the 2.8 percent cut but also to provide physicians with a much-needed payment adjustment that accounts for the inflationary pressures affecting the costs of running a medical practice. Thanks to the actions of APMA members and other physician proividers, we're currently at 193 cosigners on this letter!
Urge your US Representative to sign onto the letter today!
APMA makes it easy! We've set up a campaign on our eAdvocacy website making it quick and easy for you to take action today!
Recent data indicates that physician Medicare payment rates have decreased by 29 percent over the past two decades when adjusted for inflation, even as the cost of operating a practice continues to rise. The 2025 MPFS Proposed Rule points out that the Medicare Economic Index, which measures practice costs such as rent, staff compensation, and equipment, is expected to increase by 3.6 percent.
It's clear this situation is unsustainable—another round of cuts, combined with rising inflationary costs and a long-standing history of inadequate Medicare payments, will jeopardize both physician practices and the patients they serve.
Please take a moment right now to send our prewritten message to your representative and encourage them to sign the Miller-Meeks/Panetta "Dear Colleague" letter today. The deadline for cosigners has been extended to October 11, so ACT NOW!
Podiatric physicians are ready to collaborate with Congress to enact critical bipartisan legislation to address these issues before the next round of cuts takes effect. It’s time to Fix Medicare Now!
ACT NOW TO FIX MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENTS!
