APTQI Commends Bipartisan Bill to Block Across-the-Board Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Cuts

The Supporting Medicare Providers Act of 2022 (H.R. 8800) represents a vital lifeline for physicians who desperately need stability and predictability amid economic turbulence

Washington, D.C. –– The Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality and Innovation (APTQI) today applauded U.S. Representatives Ami Bera, MD (D-CA) and Larry Bucshon, MD (R-IN) for introducing the Supporting Medicare Providers Act of 2022 (H.R. 8800), bipartisan legislation designed to help ensure financial stability and predictability under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS).

Specifically, the Supporting Medicare Providers Act of 2022 would block the troubling, proposed cut related to mandatory budget neutrality adjustments by providing an additional 4.42% to the conversion factor for 2023. Without Congressional action, physicians—as well as physical, occupational, and speech therapists—would bear the brunt of an across-the-board 4.42% cut starting on January 1, 2023.

“We applaud Representatives Bera and Bucshon for introducing this important legislation and urge Congress to quickly pass it into law,” said Nikesh Patel, PT, Executive Director of APTQI. “By helping stabilize physician practices, the Supporting Medicare Providers Act of 2022 is an important lifeline to help offices keep their doors open and, ultimately, ensure Medicare beneficiaries’ continued access to the high-quality care they need.”

When combined, the previously implemented and future proposed reductions under the MPFS would total 9% from 2020 to 2024 for therapy services. In addition, physical and occupational therapists are reeling from the impact of the 15% cut to services provided by physical and occupational therapy assistants implemented in 2022, as well as severe proposed cuts to remote monitoring—including some that total as much as 40%.

“In light of the serious disruptions caused by the pandemic and the turbulent economic conditions physicians are now facing, now is the absolute worst time to cut Medicare reimbursement for those at the forefront of patient care,” said Patel. “The proposed 4.42% Medicare Physician Fee Schedule cuts are especially worrying given the years of continued cuts to physical and occupational therapy. Fortunately, the Supporting Medicare Providers Act of 2022 represents a much-needed step in the right direction.”

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