House Members Urge Action to Avert Cuts to Medicare Physician Payments

On October 19, 2021, more than 245 members of the U.S. House of Representatives—both Republicans and Democrats—have joined Representatives Ami Bera (D-California) and Larry Bucshon (R-Indiana) in writing a letter to ask that Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy support measures to forestall looming cuts in Medicare payments to physicians, which are set to take effect in 2022.

Last December, the Consolidated Appropriations Act contained a 3.75% payment adjustment for all Medicare physician fee schedule (MPFS) services in calendar year 2021 as part of the congressional relief provided for impending payment cuts. This payment adjustment afforded some short-term stability for health care professionals struggling with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The letter written by the House representatives states that the combined impact of the forthcoming MPFS cut, a 2% Medicare sequester reduction, and the application of the statutory Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) Act means that all health care professionals are likely facing at least 9% in cuts to Medicare payment unless Congress takes action. Additionally, certain specialists face further cuts due to the impact of budget neutrality resulting from various payment changes made within the MPFS.

In the face of these cuts, these 245 members of Congress are urging action before the end of the year to avert the imminent cuts to physician payments. This includes advocating for extending the 3.75% payment adjustment to provide continued stability for physicians and other health care professionals.

Read the full letter here: Letter