News: Proposed Congressional budget deal draws ire of most physician groups

The new Congressional budget contains a 1.68% increase in Medicare physician pay, but many doctors say such an increase is not nearly enough, according to MedPage Today.

"When coupled with medical inflation and ongoing sequestration cuts, physicians are now experiencing a staggering 10% Medicare payment cut in 2024," Katie Orrico, JD, senior vice president for health policy and advocacy at the American Association of Neurological Surgeons told MedPage Today. "While we appreciate the additional resources Congress is providing, it is a drop in the ocean of need."

Currently, physicians are facing a 3.4% deficit in Medicare fees, the due result of CMS’ calendar year 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule.

Representing the general consensus of most physician groups, the Medical Group Management Association expressed “deep disappoint[ment] with Congress’ half-hearted attempt to remedy the devastating blow physicians practices were dealt by the 2024 Physician Fee Schedule. Anything less than a full 3.4% reversal of the [final rule] cut is appallingly inadequate.”

According to MedPage Today, the proposed deal also includes “the return of a 1.88% bonus for doctors who participate in alternative payment models such as accountable care organizations (ACOs), as well as a $270 million funding increase for community health centers.”

Editor’s note: To read the MedPage Today article on physician commentary, click here. To read the MedPage Today article on the CMS 2024 Final Rule, click here.