Dear Representatives Burgess and Rush:
On behalf of the undersigned organizations, thank you for your leadership in introducing H.R.
8505, a bill to prevent pending Medicare payment cuts by waiving the budget neutrality
requirements stipulated in Section 1848(c)(2) of the Social Security Act for the finalized
evaluation and management (E/M) code proposal slated for implementation on January 1, 2021.
This important legislation will provide a critical reprieve for a broad scope of physician and nonphysician health care providers facing substantial payment reductions in the coming months.
As you are aware, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) final Medicare
Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) rule for CY 2020 included broad changes to reduce
administrative burden, improve payment rates, and reflect current clinical practice, especially as
it relates to E/M services. Our organizations appreciate CMS’ commitment to these issues and
support a purposeful approach to restructuring and revaluing the office-based E/M codes.
However, we are deeply concerned that adhering to existing budget neutrality requirements for
implementing the new policy will generate sizable cuts for various sections of the provider
community; cuts that will restrict access to the many essential health care services our members
provide to Medicare beneficiaries.
Read full letter here
