The Advocacy Council facilitated the delivery of 248 letters to 162 U.S. Representatives and 86 U.S. Senators opposing the Medicare reimbursement cuts scheduled to begin Jan. 1, 2023. These letters represented the concerns of members from 45 states. Thanks to all who participated in this grassroots effort opposing Medicare reimbursement cuts.
Medicare is scheduled to reduce reimbursement for services that allergists provide by approximately 9%, beginning Jan. 1. The combination of payment cuts due to the 2023 physician fee schedule adjustments, the Medicare sequester and the statutory Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) Act (payment cuts due to the American Rescue Plan), could be devastating to your practice and patient access if allowed to take effect.
The combined impact of this “perfect storm” of payment cuts means that all health care professionals could face Medicare payment reductions of at least 9%! Congress must act before the end of the year to avert these cuts. Congress must also include an extension of the 3% payment adjustment approved last year.
The Advocacy Council’s outreach effort ended last week so letters would reach Congressional members before they begin considering legislation to address these cuts. While we don’t have an exact date, the most likely opportunity to address the cuts will be a government funding bill that needs to be passed by Dec. 16. Congress could pass a short-term funding extension to give it more time to finish its larger funding bill. Work has already begun on that bill after Congressional leaders met with President Biden to discuss government funding.
The Advocacy Council will continue to monitor and update you on this issue. The Advocacy Council – ADVOCATING FOR ALLERGISTS AND THEIR PATIENTS.
