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ACR ‘deeply concerned’ over CY 2019 physician fee schedule proposed cuts
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The American College of Rheumatology has expressed deep concern regarding a CMS calendar year 2019 physician fee schedule proposed rule, which it says would cut cognitive evaluation and management services, as well as introduce methodology changes to practice expense, according to a press release.
“While we are encouraged by CMS’ continued focus on reducing physician paperwork burden, we are deeply concerned that the proposed cuts to cognitive evaluation and management services, along with the methodology changes to practice expense, will further restrict patient access to rheumatologists and other cognitive specialists at a time when the workforce is already shrinking,” David Daikh, MD, PhD, president of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), said in the statement.
“Evaluation and management services by rheumatologists are critical for effectively managing and reducing the long term functional and economic costs of many debilitating diseases,” he added. “These proposed cuts will have significant negative impacts on rheumatology practices.”
According to Daikh, the proposed cuts also contradict the recommendations of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, which earlier this year proposed increased reimbursement for evaluation and management services, arguing they require extensive time and intensity on the part of physicians, and that such services are already undervalued.
The ACR president also stated additional cuts risk worsening the “current rheumatology workforce shortage,” and could further strain patients’ ability to access care.
“Further, we are concerned that the proposal to reduce Medicare Part B reimbursement for new drugs to Wholesale Acquisition Cost plus 3 percent could slow market uptake of biosimilars and thwart the Administration’s efforts to reduce drug prices,” Daikh said in the statement.
The ACR also released a statement responding to a CMS proposed rule on the Quality Payment Program, which the group partially praised for potentially allowing more physicians to participate in alternative payment models.
However, Daikh criticized a proposal in the rule that would eliminate the small practice bonus under the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) in favor of folding it into the quality performance score could hurt small and rural providers.
“The ACR strongly supports maintaining the small practice bonus as a 5 point stand-alone bonus that is added to the final score,” Daikh said in the release. “We will submit detailed comments in the coming weeks and look forward to continued dialogue with CMS about the proposed changes.” – by Jason Laday