Congressional Push for Medicare Physician Payment Reform
Key Questions
What legislative actions are advancing on Medicare physician payment reform?
A House hearing examined MACRA and physician payment issues under the MPFS. Senator Murphy's bill, which adjusts budget neutrality thresholds and conversion factor limits, advanced in committee, while a new Rand Paul bill proposes provider choice reforms.
How much have Medicare payments declined according to the AMA?
The AMA reports a 33% decline in Medicare physician payments since 2001. This ongoing erosion is reshaping specialty recruitment economics and prompting calls for reform.
What does the proposed bill do to address Medicare pay fluctuations?
The legislation caps Medicare pay swings to 2.5% yearly to stabilize reimbursement under the MPFS. Legislative next steps are being watched as the bill moves forward.
A House hearing examined MACRA and physician payment issues, while Senator Murphy's bill to address declining reimbursement under MPFS advanced in committee. The bill includes adjustments to budget neutrality thresholds and conversion factor limits. The AMA reports a 33% decline in payments since 2001. A new Rand Paul bill proposes provider choice reforms. Legislative next steps are being watched.