ACR: Medicare Cuts for Physicians Highlight Need for Reform Save

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) was disappointed that the proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) once again included a serious cut to the conversion factor. The -1.68% cut—the sixth proposed cut in as many years—would lower reimbursement to physicians providing care to Medicare beneficiaries and come on top of the loss of the 2.5% boost from last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act set to expire on January 1 next year.

“Caring for America’s elderly demands a working, sustainable Medicare system, but this rule fails to deliver,” said William F. Harvey, MD, MSc, FACR, president of the ACR. “Rheumatologists and other physicians continue to do the best they can with declining payment, but we’re reaching our breaking point. Bipartisan lawmakers have long recognized that our system is broken. For example, the budget neutrality threshold hasn't been updated since 1992. Legislation like the Provider Reimbursement Stabilization Act has broad support and would modernize the threshold, account for inflation and reduce dramatic year-over-year payment rate changes, allowing for easier planning and predictability. We call on our leaders in Congress to pass this legislation, address the proposed cut, and make meaningful, sustainable changes to our Medicare system that protect doctors’ ability to provide the care that our seniors deserve.”

While still analyzing the full impact of this proposal, the ACR plans to submit a full response to this rule during the comment period.