The American College of Radiology® (ACR®) thanks Reps. Ami Bera, MD; Larry Bucshon, MD; Brendan Boyle; George Holding; Raul Ruiz, MD; Phil Roe, MD; Abby Finkenauer; and Roger Marshall, MD, for introducing the Holding Providers Harmless from Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act of 2020.
The ACR urges all members of Congress to vote to pass this critical legislation or ensure that the language is included in any larger bills passed during this Congress.
This ACR-backed legislation would avert the impending healthcare crisis due to reimbursement cuts resulting from evaluation and management (E/M) code changes in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. Absent congressional intervention, radiologists and other providers face a drastic Medicare reimbursement reduction starting Jan. 1, 2021. Implementation of these cuts would jeopardize timely patient access to vital screening and diagnostic services and a host of other services.
This new legislation also enables important pay increases for primary care and others while avoiding devastating, corresponding cuts for physician and non-physician providers. The bill will provide two years of much-needed stability for Medicare providers as they continue to strive to meet the needs of patients during this public health emergency.
“The 40,000-member ACR looks forward to working with Congress, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and other medical societies to seek sensible Medicare payment adjustments that preserve access to care for America’s seniors. We thank these congressional leaders for their tireless efforts to develop an equitable solution to this looming healthcare crisis. We strongly urge Congress to pass the provider and patient protections included in this vital legislation,” said Howard B. Fleishon, MD, MMM, FACR, Chair of the American College of Radiology Board of Chancellors.