Patient Advocacy Groups Call on Congress to Pass Medicare Payment Reform

On November 18, a diverse group of patient advocacy organizations submitted a letter to Congressional leaders urging them to stabilize the Medicare system by passing reforms to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). The letter, spearheaded by Patients Rising, was signed by more than 30 groups representing the patient community and highlighted the challenges that Medicare reimbursement cuts cause for providers, which ultimately exacerbate patient access challenges.

The letter specifically details how years of cuts to the MPFS have contributed to a national shortage of doctors, rising patient wait times to get care, and a troubling trend of physician practices either closing or being unable to accept Medicare beneficiaries—all of which makes it harder for patients to access care.

“Doctors are the backbone of our healthcare system. Yet, nationwide, there is a documented shortage of physicians, which is being made worse by inflation, rising labor costs, burdensome administrative tasks like prior authorization and regulatory red tape, and years of successive Medicare cuts,” the groups wrote.

“Lagging Medicare reimbursement has serious consequences. As costs rise and payments decline, more physicians’ offices are deciding to stop accepting new patients or to cut back on services. Worse, we fear that some practices may stop taking Medicare beneficiaries or close altogether. This would have an adverse impact on patients, especially in rural and underserved areas,” the letter continued.

By ensuring adequate reimbursement for physicians and other providers who serve Medicare beneficiaries, the patient advocacy groups argue that lawmakers can help address these serious issues. The letter calls on Congress to stabilize the MPFS system and strengthen patient access to care by advancing bipartisan legislation to help providers stay afloat for the sake of America’s patients.

To read the letter, CLICK HERE.