APTQI Disappointed Congress Fails to Stabilize the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule in 2025

Washington, D.C. –– APTQI expressed disappointment that Congress failed to address the impending -2.8% cut to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) for 2025 in its continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government. Without relief, Medicare cuts to specialty providers will go into effect on January 1, which will impede the ability of physical and occupational therapists to provide care for older Americans.

At a time when the cost of maintaining a practice and providing care has skyrocketed, it is critical for policymakers to help protect providers from year after year of successive cuts proposed and implemented by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Unfortunately, the failure to address these cuts destabilizes physical and occupational therapy practices that are dedicated to helping older Americans prevent dangerous and debilitating falls, regain strength and mobility after a serious illness or injury, and improve their overall quality of life.

“We are extremely concerned how the significant cuts providers will incur in 2025 will impact patient care, especially at a time when inflation, salaries, and practice and medical costs continue to rise,” said Nikesh Patel, PT, Executive Director of APTQI. “As these challenges grow, it is becoming harder and harder for practices to make ends meet. We fear that the instability caused by the cuts could sadly exacerbate patient access challenges, which will only grow worse in the years ahead unless Congress provides relief.”

“If the fee schedule is not fixed before the end of the year, we will work with Congress to fix the cuts as soon as possible and to ensure that relief is passed in 2025 and is applied retroactively,” continued Patel. “Doing so is vital to strengthening the Medicare system and helping physical and occupational therapists expand patients’ access to care.”