More cardiology groups step forward with concerns about Medicare payment cuts
The CardioVascular Coalition (CVC) has shared its concerns about payment cuts included in the 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
CVC is a group of cardiologists, nurses and patients focused on improving care for anyone impacted by peripheral artery disease (PAD) and coronary artery disease (CAD). Founded in 2014, the organization works with vendors and cardiology practices to advocate for policies that have a positive impact on patients living with these significant cardiovascular conditions.
In a new statement, CVC highlighted “substantial reductions in reimbursement for specialty care providers operating in office-based settings” included in the proposed 2024 MPFS.
The group also called for Congress to pass the Providing Relief and Stability for Medicare Patients Act of 2023 (HR 3674), which is designed to help offset cuts contained in the MPFS. CVC was one of several cardiovascular groups that supported HR 3674 when it was first introduced back in June.
“The proposed rule, coupled with the ongoing cuts affecting office-based providers, will have severe repercussions for patients suffering from PAD and CAD,” interventional cardiologist Jeffrey G. Carr, MD, a member of the CVC Board, said in the statement. “These poor decisions made in Washington are poised to eliminate specialists and reduce patient access to much-needed quality care. As written, the new rule from CMS is likely to exacerbate the health equity gap as it forces office-based providers out of business. With specialists facing recurring cuts, managing record inflation, and still striving to deliver exceptional care to patients with CAD and PAD, the situation becomes unsustainable. It is imperative that Congress takes action on HR 3674 to prevent and mitigate these imminent cuts to office-based specialists.”
Other cardiovascular groups speak out about Medicare payment cuts
The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) also detailed its concerns with the 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule.
“CMS’ cuts to physician reimbursement payments in the proposed 2024 Physician Fee Schedule demonstrate, once again, that we need a long-term solution to fix this broken system,” SCAI President George D. Dangas, MD, PhD, a professor with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, said in a prepared statement. “With physician participation in Medicare and Medicaid at a historic low, now is not the time to push further cuts on physicians, who have endured more than two decades of declining Medicare reimbursements.”
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) issued its own statement about the payment cuts, saying the “health and safety of the nation’s seniors will be at risk” if CMS does not rethink its proposal. The American College of Cardiology (ACC), meanwhile, shared an initial analysis of the proposed rule, saying that goes beyond the payment cuts to explore other key takeaways.
The STS and ACC statements were previously covered at length here.
Michael has more than 18 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.