Dear Administrator Verma:
The undersigned organizations represent the hundreds of thousands of physicians who provide care for our
nation’s patients every day. The COVID-19 (2019 novel coronavirus) public health emergency (PHE) has
placed unprecedented strain on our physician members, including ongoing threats to their financial viability
due to months of lost revenue from practice closures and/or operating at reduced capacity. In July and
August 2020, the American Medical Association (AMA) surveyed 3,500 physicians who provided at least 20
hours of patient care per week prior to the pandemic. A strong majority (81%) of surveyed physicians said
revenue was still lower than pre-pandemic, with an average drop in revenue of 32%. Compounding the
financial stress of lost revenue, practices are also incurring additional costs for heightened infection control
protocols and personal protective equipment (PPE). To help address the significant fiscal pressures placed
on physicians by the COVID-19 pandemic, we urge the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
(CMS) to immediately implement and pay for Current Procedural Terminology® (CPT) code 99072 to
compensate practices for the additional supplies and new staff activities required to provide safe
patient care during the PHE.
Read full letter here
