Senate Introduces Bill to Stop Medicare Physician Pay Cuts

Sens. John Boozman (R-AR), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Tom Cotton (R-AR), and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced legislation last week to address the physician Medicare cuts slated to go into effect on January 1, 2021 (read more). The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS’) final rule results in up to 10% decreases for evaluation and management (E&M) services in nursing facilities, assisted living, home health, and hospitals.

This legislation is similar to the already-introduced House version, H.R. 8702: The Holding Providers Harmless From Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act of 2020, which Reps. Ami Bera, MD, (D-CA) and Larry Bucshon, MD, (R-IN) introduced in October. That bill currently has nearly 100 co-sponsors.

The Society supports increases to all primary care services, including those finalized in the physician fee schedule. However, Congress must act now to address the devastating cuts for other E&M services as the Society stated in its press release shortly after CMS issued the rule. Society members are strongly encouraged to contact their members of Congress immediately to let them know how such cuts would impact your patients/residents, especially in the middle of the pandemic that has disproportionally impacted the nursing facility population. With days remaining on the Congressional calendar prior to January 1, 2021, it’s imperative that you take action now!