In a press release, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) voiced concern over the proposed calendar year 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program. The proposal included updates and new requirements for the physician fee schedule, Medicare Part B payment policies, Medicare Shared Savings Program, Quality Payment Program, and Medicare and Medicaid provider and supplier enrollment policy. Douglas White, MD, PhD, President of the ACR, stressed that: “[T]he proposed rule’s physician payment cuts … would add to physicians’ uncertainty about their continued ability to provide the highest quality of care to Medicare patients.” The ACR concluded that Congress should pass the bipartisan Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, which is intended to protect and update Medicare physician payments to reflect the impact of the broader economy on their practices.
July 20, 2023