News | Cardiovascular Business | January 22, 2024

ACC Disappointed by Lack of Medicare Fix in Recent Continuing Resolution

The American College of Cardiology is again urging members of Congress to retroactively eliminate the 3.37% cut to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule currently in effect and preserve patient access to care

Getty Images


January 22, 2024 — The American College of Cardiology is again urging members of Congress to retroactively eliminate the 3.37% cut to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule currently in effect and preserve patient access to care: 

“Less than three weeks into the new year, Congress has already left clinicians holding the bag again on Medicare payment reform. By not including a fix to the 3.37% cut to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule in the most recent continuing resolution, practices around the country are left in a state of uncertainty for their own futures, as well as patient access to care,” said American College of Cardiology President B. Hadley Wilson, MD, FACC. “While it is critical that Congress was able to pass a continuing resolution, offering certainty for many vital services, I am disappointed that clinicians and patients within Medicare will continue to be left out and left behind. The American College of Cardiology will continue to press members of Congress to pass the Preserving Seniors’ Access to Physicians Act of 2023 and ensure all can receive necessary, high quality medical care. We must achieve this short-term, but crucial, fix so we can all focus on advancing long-term reforms to the current Medicare system.” 

A full fix to the 3.37% cut is necessary to combat the lack of inflationary update despite clinicians and practices facing significant inflationary cost pressure. Physicians are the only providers that do not receive an automatic inflationary update within Medicare. Medicare physician payments have dropped by 26% in the last 20 years, while practice expenses have risen by 47% over the same period. Congress must act now to avert this crisis to maintain stable, consistent access to care for some of America’s most vulnerable patients. 

The ACC is leading the charge to transform cardiovascular care delivery. Tasked with advocating for cardiovascular patients and providing a professional home for the entire cardiovascular team, the ACC is committed to developing and advancing solutions that will optimize the delivery of cardiovascular care, increase access to care and improve patient outcomes and health. However, significant reforms are required within the current Medicare system to achieve the ACC’s vision. Learn more about the ACC’s Vision for Optimal Cardiovascular Care at ACC.org/OptimizeCVCare

For more information: www.acc.org


Related Content

News | Cardiovascular Business

July 29, 2024 — Edwards Lifesciences announced investments that reflect the company’s deep commitment to advancing ...

Home July 29, 2024
Home
News | Cardiovascular Business

July 18, 2024 — Circle Cardiovascular Imaging, a developer of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven cardiovascular imaging ...

Home July 18, 2024
Home
News | Cardiovascular Business

July 15, 2024 — Guidehealth, an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled healthcare services company, has announced a ...

Home July 15, 2024
Home
News | Cardiovascular Business

July 15, 2024 — Edwards Lifesciences announced it has exercised its option to acquire Innovalve Bio Medical Ltd., an ...

Home July 15, 2024
Home
News | Cardiovascular Business

July 11, 2024 — Medical device company R3 Vascular Inc., developer of novel, best-in-class bioresorbable scaffolds for ...

Home July 11, 2024
Home
News | Cardiovascular Business

July 9, 2024 — Disparities in cardiovascular disease outcomes between urban and rural areas continue to widen, yet ...

Home July 09, 2024
Home
Feature | Cardiovascular Business

The DAIC team wishes you a safe and happy 4th of July!

Home July 04, 2024
Home
News | Cardiovascular Business

July 3, 2024 — Over the past decade, 342 cardiology clinics have been acquired by private equity firms, with over 94% of ...

Home July 03, 2024
Home
Feature | Cardiovascular Business | By Melinda Taschetta-Millane

From FDA approvals to new clinical trials, here is a look at DAIC's top-read content during the month of June: 1 ...

Home July 02, 2024
Home
News | Cardiovascular Business

July 1, 2024 — CVRx, Inc., a commercial-stage medical device company, announced three additions to its senior leadership ...

Home July 01, 2024
Home
Subscribe Now