American College of Rheumatology Expresses Disappointment with Proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule

Strategic Insights -

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has expressed disappointment with the proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) for calendar year 2026, citing an insufficient 0.7% increase in the conversion factor. This increase is seen as a minimal boost, especially considering the 33% decline in reimbursements for care since 2001. The ACR argues that the proposed rule does not address the financial burden on doctors, placing patients at risk and jeopardizing their access to care.

Key Takeaways:

  • The proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) for calendar year 2026 includes a 0.7% increase in the conversion factor, which the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) considers insufficient.
  • Physician payments have declined by 33% since 2001, exacerbating the financial burden on doctors and affecting patients' access to care.
  • The ACR is calling for long-term policy changes to address the impact of inflation and the balanced budget requirement on chronically low Medicare reimbursement rates.
  • Passage of the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act is being suggested as a possible solution to tie annual Medicare physician payment updates to the Medicare Economic Index (MEI).
  • Without corrective action, patient access, especially for rural and underserved populations, is in jeopardy, placing them at great risk.

Statistics:

  • 33% decline in reimbursements for care since 2001 (as cited by the ACR)
  • 10,000 rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals represented by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR)

Sources:

  • American College of Rheumatology, "ACR Expresses Disappointment with Proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule"
  • American College of Rheumatology, Category: Healthcare, Managed Health Care, Regulatory and Legal, Copyright 2017 Contify.com