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CMS Statement on Continued Action to Respond to the Cyberattack on Change Healthcare

Press Releases CMS Statement on Continued Action to Respond to the Cyberattack on Change Healthcare Mar 09, 2024  The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is continuing to monitor and assess the impact that the cyberattack on UnitedHealth Group’s subsidiary Change Healthcare has had on all provider and supplier types. Today, CMS is announcing that, in addition to considering applications for accelerated payments for Medicare Part A providers, we will also be considering applications for advance payments for Part B suppliers.  Over the last few days, we have continued to meet with health plans, ...

Congress Fails to Stop Entire Medicare Physician Payment Cut

As Congress prepares to pass legislation that reverses only half of the 3.37% Medicare physician payment cut implemented on January 1, 2024, the California Medical Association (CMA) is exasperated that for the fourth straight year physicians will face a payment cut. The cut totals 1.68% but coupled with medical inflation, physicians will experience a devastating 6% real cut in 2024. “While CMA appreciates the support from many lawmakers in Congress, this legislation will continue the staggering ‘death by a thousand cuts’ that Congress has allowed for the last two decades,” said CMA president Tanya W. ...

URGENT! Contact your Member of Congress immediately to cancel the Medicare payment cut!

Congress has decided to include any year-end Medicare payment issues in its must-pass bill to keep the federal government operating. Congress must pass this legislation by November 17 to avoid a government shutdown. Therefore, we must act now to demand positive changes to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2024.  Due to budget neutrality rules, the 2024 fee schedule includes a harmful 3.4% payment cut that will take effect if Congress does not act. With an expected 4.6% rise in health care inflation this year, the cut will be devastating for physician practices ...

2024 Medicare Physician Payment Schedule is Out

The CY 2023 Medicare Physician Payment Schedule Final Rule updates payment policies and rates as well as other provisions for services offered on or after Jan. 1, 2023, under the Medicare Physician Payment Schedule. The AMA provides final rule summary (PDF) of the 2023 Medicare Physician Payment Schedule and Quality Payment Program (QPP). In addition, CMS has released the CY 2024 Medicare Physician Payment Schedule Proposed Rule, including key proposals that impact Medicare physician payment and the Quality Payment Program (QPP). Key proposals include a predicted 3.36% reduction in the ...

Physicians react to Congress’ vote to cut Medicare payments by 2.5% in 2023

The United States Congress passed their year-end omnibus legislation last week, which includes a Medicare physician payment cut of 2.5% in 2023. Physicians had been staring down cuts as much as 8.5%, but a nationwide advocacy campaign by the American Medical Association, California Medical Association (CMA) and more than 150 organizations representing over 1 million physicians helped stave off many of the reductions. However, physicians who care for Medicare patients and CMA are very concerned about how the cut will impact patient access to care. “Congress’ plan to cut Medicare demonstrates a lack of understanding ...