The American College of Cardiology and Heart Rhythm Society issued a joint statement soon after CMS published its final rule for the 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. The groups warned that the final rule could threaten patient access to high-quality care. 

Physicians are now bracing for payment cuts after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published its final rule for the 2023 Physician Fee Schedule.

"By imposing a 35%-42% cut, [CMS] has essentially created a scenario where it is going to destroy electrophysiology as a field," explained Dhanunjaya "DJ" Lakkireddy, MD.

More than 120 medical societies have joined the AMA in a letter urging congressional leaders to enact long-term solutions to the systemic problems in the Medicare physician payment system and to address cuts that are going into effect in 2023.

Dozens of medical societies have signed a new letter urging Congress to stop upcoming Medicare payment cuts. “The Medicare payment system remains on an unsustainable path threatening beneficiaries’ access to physicians," they wrote. 

The American College of Cardiology has developed a helpful calculator that allows cardiologists and practice managers to estimate just how much the proposed 2023 MPFS could impact their practice.

Ahmad M. Slim, MD, associate professor of medicine with the University of Washington and regional chief medical officer with the Pulse Heart Institute, explained how imagers get paid for coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) exams.

CMS also announced that the penalty phase of its Appropriate Use Criteria Program has been delayed yet again.