The American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) is partnering with the American Medical Association (AMA) and multiple state and national medical societies in supporting a practical, commonsense approach to reforming Medicare physician reimbursement.
When ASTS members faced a fiscal payment cliff in 2021, ASTS joined other specialties and was able to fend off a nearly 10% cut in reimbursement. However, this year, physicians are facing (at least) an 8.5% cut on Jan. 1, 2023, due to expiration of recent adjustments and budgetary requirements.
In July 2022, the Society joined over 100 physician and non-physician organizations in a letter to Congress, urging a legislative solution that would fix this flawed payment system and provide relief. The letter seeks to encourage Congress to divert the Medicare physician payment system away from its current unsustainable path and steer it toward physician practice sustainability will protect patient access to quality, evidence-based care while easing administrative burdens.
According to AMA’s Recovery Plan for America’s Physicians, Medicare physician payment plunged 20% from 2001 to 2021. Medicare spending on physician services per enrollee retreated by 1% between 2010 and 2020, even as spending per enrollee for other parts of Medicare jumped by between 3.6% and 42.1%. With inflation soaring to 40-year highs this year and statutory payment cuts looming, the AMA is seeking to influence CMS’ current proposal from CMS that undermines the long-term sustainability of physician practices while threatening patient access to physicians participating in Medicare.
ASTS stands with the House of Medicine and the House of Surgery in advocating for payment models that recognize and invest in high-value care to patients, while generating cost savings to Medicare and the broader health care system while diminishing regulatory burden. ASTS also seeks to encourage innovation in practices and systems that is cognizant and respectful of the distinct needs of different specialties and practice settings.
Any such reform should advance racial justice and equity. As such, payment model innovations should be risk-adjusted and reflect the ongoing contributions of physicians/surgeons to dismantle health disparities. Physicians who address social drivers of care need support as they provide care to historically marginalized, higher risk, and harder-to-reach patient populations. This support should extend to practices of all sizes and in all locations.
Working with the House of Medicine and the House of Surgery, we can place the Medicare payment system back on a sustainable path and ensure that our patients receive the quality care they deserve. ASTS members are encouraged to join the fight for a fair Medicare payment system by becoming an AMA member today.