Academy Joins Other Health-Care Providers Urging Extension of Moratorium on Medicare Payment Reductions

Congress acted to delay scheduled Medicare payment reductions for many providers, originally slated to go into effect on January 1, 2021, with the passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260). This bipartisan effort avoided significant disruptions to care for Medicare beneficiaries, reduced the level of cuts in 2021 for many providers, supported small health-care businesses—especially in rural and underserved areas—and provided a lifeline for health-care providers still reeling from the residual impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unfortunately, this temporary measure did not address the ongoing structural problems with the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS), and the provider community is again bracing for steep cuts in 2022, which could result in many beneficiaries losing access to essential health-care services. These planned reimbursement cuts were the result of a 2011 law requiring payment reductions in federal programs known as sequestration intended to prevent federal overspending.

“We, therefore, urge Congress and the Administration to make a critical investment in the nation’s health care infrastructure by providing an additional $3 billion for the MPFS to once again mitigate expected reductions to the Medicare conversion factor, ensuring financial stability for physicians and practices in 2022. “

Read the full coalition letter.