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URGENT! Contact your Member of Congress immediately to cancel the Medicare payment cut!

Congress has decided to include any year-end Medicare payment issues in its must-pass bill to keep the federal government operating. Congress must pass this legislation by November 17 to avoid a government shutdown. Therefore, we must act now to demand positive changes to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2024.  Due to budget neutrality rules, the 2024 fee schedule includes a harmful 3.4% payment cut that will take effect if Congress does not act. With an expected 4.6% rise in health care inflation this year, the cut will be devastating for physician practices ...

2024 Medicare Physician Payment Schedule is Out

The CY 2023 Medicare Physician Payment Schedule Final Rule updates payment policies and rates as well as other provisions for services offered on or after Jan. 1, 2023, under the Medicare Physician Payment Schedule. The AMA provides final rule summary (PDF) of the 2023 Medicare Physician Payment Schedule and Quality Payment Program (QPP). In addition, CMS has released the CY 2024 Medicare Physician Payment Schedule Proposed Rule, including key proposals that impact Medicare physician payment and the Quality Payment Program (QPP). Key proposals include a predicted 3.36% reduction in the ...

Physicians react to Congress’ vote to cut Medicare payments by 2.5% in 2023

The United States Congress passed their year-end omnibus legislation last week, which includes a Medicare physician payment cut of 2.5% in 2023. Physicians had been staring down cuts as much as 8.5%, but a nationwide advocacy campaign by the American Medical Association, California Medical Association (CMA) and more than 150 organizations representing over 1 million physicians helped stave off many of the reductions. However, physicians who care for Medicare patients and CMA are very concerned about how the cut will impact patient access to care. “Congress’ plan to cut Medicare demonstrates a lack of understanding ...

New California Health Laws for 2023

While the legislature passed various new laws impacting health care in California, significant focus was placed on legislation intended to protect physicians and patients in response to the United States Supreme Court decision in Dobbs. The California Medical Association (CMA) published a summary of new laws of interest to physicians that cover reproductive rights, emergency services, healthcare facilities, and more. You can view the PDF HERE.

Senate Passes Legislation to Halt Medicare Physician Payment Cuts

Last evening, the Senate passed legislation halt Medicare physician payment cuts that were scheduled to take effect on January 1. President Biden is expected to sign the bill into law.   Highlights of the physician payment provisions include:   A delay in resuming the 2% Medicare sequester for three months (January 1- March 31, 2022), followed by a reduction to 1% for three months (April 1-June 30, 2022). A one-year increase in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule of 3% (0.75% less than the conversion factor boost provided for 2021). A one-year delay in the cuts ...