Congress Introduces Legislation to Eliminate Reduction in Medicare Physician Reimbursement

On December 7, 2023, Representatives Murphy (R-NC), Davis (D-IL), Wenstrup (R-OH), Panetta (D-CA), Bucshon (R-IN), and Burgess (R-TX) introduced the Preserving Seniors’ Access to Physicians Act of 2023, which would completely eliminate the 3.37% Medicare cut for physicians that goes into effect on January 1, 2024.

ISASS, along with the American Medical Association and other physician specialty societies, strongly support this legislation and is working diligently to get the legislation passed. Prior to this legislation being introduced in the House of Representatives, the Senate Finance and the House Energy and Commerce Committees passed legislation that would provide partial relief—1.25%—from the Medicare cuts. The remaining committee of jurisdiction, the House Ways and Means Committee, is not expected to mark up any legislation this month to address the issue.

The Preserving Seniors’ Access to Physicians Act is the best opportunity to advance legislation to eliminate the cuts in their entirety.

No legislation preventing the Medicare cuts were approved by Congress before the end of the year. Congress plans to include a package of health care bills as part of a federal appropriations package in mid-January to fund the government in fiscal year 2024.