Connecticut Academy of Family Physicians’ Post

Tomorrow (Thursday, April 11) at 10 am ET, American Academy of Family Physicians President Steve Furr will testify on behalf of the AAFP before a Senate Finance Committee hearing titled "Bolstering Chronic Care through Medicare Physician Payment." In his testimony, Dr. Furr will describe how fee-for-service in traditional Medicare is impeding the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered, comprehensive primary care. He will speak to the work family physicians do to maintain meaningful relationships with patients, especially those with more complex needs, however, that family physicians simply are not being paid for this work.   Dr. Furr will call on Congress to:   ◼ More appropriately value the work of primary care within the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, which is the framework for many value-based payment arrangements; ◼ Reform budget neutrality requirements that unnecessarily pit physician specialties against one another while undermining CMS’ ability to invest in all of the services a patient may need; ◼ Address existing financial barriers that dissuade patients’ utilization of chronic care management and other primary care services by waiving cost sharing responsibilities; and ◼ Provide primary care physicians and practices with more prospective, sustainable revenue streams that allow them to tailor the care they deliver to their patient’s needs. https://lnkd.in/eF-eyz9m  

The SVS recently submitted comments to the Senate Committee’s “Request for Information” soliciting policy solutions to reform the Medicare Physician Payment System. The response argued that the current MPFS methodology, which results in annual payment reductions and high administrative burdens, fails to cover the operational costs of running a practice and has led to market consolidation and a decline in physicians in rural and underserved areas. These points are underscored by the recent release of the CY2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Proposed Rule, which stipulated yet another round of payment cuts. We are urging policymakers--both in the Administration and Congress-- to ensure financial stability within Medicare to allow physicians to provide high-quality patient care. Read SVS' comments: https://ow.ly/7CK750SAsuB

CMS is proposing a 2.83% cut to the conversion factor for 2025, which reduces physician reimbursement for services provided to Medicare patients. With physician practice overhead costs continuing to rise, this is not a model for operational success. Where are other areas you think CMS could save money rather than reducing payments to physicians? https://lnkd.in/gcrwfTp2

U.S. Congress Finally Reduced the Cut by Half 1.68% from 3.37% Effective March 9, 2024 In a federal budget deal struck to avoid a government shutdown, the House of Representatives has voted to reduce about half (1.68%) of the 2024 3.37% across-the-board physician pay cut that took effect in January. The Senate is expected to vote soon, and the President is expected to sign which will be effective March 9. This essentially means Congress has again failed to stop in its entirety a pay cut that threatens Medicare patients’ access to high-quality physician care. The cut continues to persist over 2% of sequester cuts totaling to 3.68%, on top of 4% from last year’s physician pay reduction. Unfortunately, as in contrast to prior years, this payment rate is not retroactive. This was achieved due to enormous effort by all organizations, including ASIPP, with widespread support to block the 3.37% Medicare cuts for physician services on a permanent basis. Our conversations with members of Congress show that they are looking at ways to create a permanent fix for these issues. We need to continue to place pressure on Congress for a permanent fix. The graph below shows 2024 Medicare payment updates prior to the 50% reduction of the cut as projected by AMA. The only change would be 1.68%, instead of 3.4%.

The final 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS), expected for release around November 1st, will implement changes to the payment and quality reporting policies for Medicare physicians. Are you ready for January? #MedicareUpdates #PhysicianFeeSchedule #HealthcareRegulations #Medicare2025

Medicare cuts are back on the table, and this could hit your practice hard. The AMA and healthcare organizations are fighting for better payment systems—but what does this mean for you? Stay informed on the changes that could impact your bottom line and patient care. Want to avoid costly surprises? Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ebBUHp3s Follow us for expert tips to protect your practice from financial roadblocks! #personalinjurymadeeasy #chirolife #socalchiropractors

Legislation Introduced to Address Cuts in Medicare Physician Fee Schedule: This legislation seeks to halt the steady decline in Medicare reimbursement since 2001. The proposed rule for the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) for calendar year 2025 included a 2.8 percent decrease that is further magnified by increasing practice costs. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/exCu6q6x

U.S. Congress Finally Reduced the Cut by Half 1.68% from 3.37% Effective March 9, 2024 In a federal budget deal struck to avoid a government shutdown, the House of Representatives has voted to reduce about half (1.68%) of the 2024 3.37% across-the-board physician pay cut that took effect in January. The Senate is expected to vote soon, and the President is expected to sign which will be effective March 9. This essentially means Congress has again failed to stop in its entirety a pay cut that threatens Medicare patients’ access to high-quality physician care. The cut continues to persist over 2% of sequester cuts totaling to 3.68%, on top of 4% from last year’s physician pay reduction. Unfortunately, as in contrast to prior years, this payment rate is not retroactive. This was achieved due to enormous effort by all organizations, including ASIPP, with widespread support to block the 3.37% Medicare cuts for physician services on a permanent basis. Our conversations with members of Congress show that they are looking at ways to create a permanent fix for these issues. We need to continue to place pressure on Congress for a permanent fix. The graph below shows 2024 Medicare payment updates prior to the 50% reduction of the cut as projected by AMA. The only change would be 1.68%. instead of 3.4%.

U.S. Congress Finally Reduced the Cut by Half 1.68% from 3.37% Effective March 9, 2024 In a federal budget deal struck to avoid a government shutdown, the House of Representatives has voted to reduce about half (1.68%) of the 2024 3.37% across-the-board physician pay cut that took effect in January. The Senate is expected to vote soon, and the President is expected to sign which will be effective March 9. This essentially means Congress has again failed to stop in its entirety a pay cut that threatens Medicare patients’ access to high-quality physician care. The cut continues to persist over 2% of sequester cuts totaling to 3.68%, on top of 4% from last year’s physician pay reduction. Unfortunately, as in contrast to prior years, this payment rate is not retroactive. This was achieved due to enormous effort by all organizations, including ASIPP, with widespread support to block the 3.37% Medicare cuts for physician services on a permanent basis. Our conversations with members of Congress show that they are looking at ways to create a permanent fix for these issues. We need to continue to place pressure on Congress for a permanent fix. The graph below shows 2024 Medicare payment updates prior to the 50% reduction of the cut as projected by AMA. The only change would be 1.68%. instead of 3.4%.

ACT NOW! The Medicare physician payment system is unsustainable, and ASCO is calling on Congress to take this initial step to reform it. Pass the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act, which would stop the 2.8% cut to physician reimbursement in the 2025 Medicare PFS and provide an inflationary update equal to 50% of the Medicare Economic Index. Learn more & write to Congress about physician reimbursement: https://lnkd.in/eDGrjrnE