Physicians Urge Congress to Withdraw Medicare Payment Proposal

Physicians and patient advocates traveled to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to urge lawmakers to withdraw a proposed Medicare payment change that they say will jeopardize seniors' access to timely medical care. The group warned that the policy could significantly disrupt the ability of patients to receive necessary treatments in a single visit.

Dr. Eugene Brown III, president of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS), shared a personal account of a patient diagnosed with cancer early due to the practice's on-site imaging and laboratory capabilities. He was among more than 15 physicians who met with congressional offices to present patient stories and advocate for the proposal's removal.

The proposed policy would change how Medicare reimburses practices that offer multiple services during a single patient visit. Under the plan, Medicare would pay the highest-valued service at 100% reimbursement, while most additional services provided during the same encounter would be paid at only 50%. A survey of over 1,400 otolaryngologists found that 67% would reduce the number of Medicare patients they see, over 14% would stop accepting Medicare altogether, and more than 84% anticipate longer waits and difficulty accessing timely specialty care.

Physicians involved in the Same Day Care Coalition expressed concern that the proposal would impose additional financial burdens on practices, particularly in rural areas. They argue that same-day care is crucial for patients, reducing the need for multiple appointments, speeding up diagnoses, and alleviating anxiety. The coalition is asking the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide the data supporting the proposal and conduct a full impact assessment before its potential implementation on January 1.