ACR calls for ‘appropriate reimbursement’ from CMS after proposed 5th year of cuts
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Key takeaways:
- CMS recently proposed reducing physician payments 2.93% and cutting $0.93 from the conversion factor in 2025.
- ACR “strongly urged” CMS to reconsider, noting a growing and aging Medicare population.
The American College of Rheumatology has submitted comments to CMS on proposed cuts to physician payments, warning of worsened burnout and staff shortages, and calling for “appropriate reimbursement,” according to a press release.
CMS recently proposed a fifth consecutive year of cuts to the Physician Fee Schedule, reducing physician payments 2.93% and cutting $0.93 from the current conversion factor in 2025.
According to the release from ACR, rheumatologists are set to be disproportionately impacted by a larger and older Medicare population. In its letter to CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, dated Sept. 9, the ACR “strongly urged” CMS to reconsider the payment cut. The comment also noted existing challenges with burnout, staffing and early retirement and departures.
Prior to the ACR comment, the American Medical Association submitted its own letter calling the consecutive years of cuts “not sustainable” and noting “the growing gap between what Medicare pays for care and what it costs to provide that care.”
The ACR also called for the permanent extension of “all regulatory flexibilities” currently enabling reimbursement for telemedicine, emphasizing that telemedicine significantly widens access to rheumatology services.
“Many telemedicine provisions are set to expire at the end of the year unless policymakers take action,” read the ACR release, in part. “ACR asked CMS to remove all telehealth payment parity restrictions and barriers to interstate licensure so providers can treat beneficiaries across state lines.”
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