Dr. Marc Hirsch reflects on a career dedicated to advocating for physicians, providing patient-centered care & advancing medical education.
ACR’s Response to Proposed Physician Medicare Cuts Garners National Media Attention
ACR President Carol Langford, MD, MHS, is making headlines as a leading voice in the fight against proposed Medicare reimbursement cuts that threaten the sustainability of rheumatology practices and patient access to care.
ACR Advocates for Fair Reimbursement & Telehealth Flexibility in MPFS 2026 Proposed Rule
In comments to the CMS, the ACR advocated for telehealth flexibilities and fair reimbursement and pushed back on proposed efficiency adjustments and changes likely to increase administrative burden on practices.
ACR President Warns: Access to Care Is at Risk Without Medicare Payment Reform
In a recent commentary published by Medscape, ACR President Carol Langford, MD, MHS, issues a stark warning: If Congress does not reform the physician payment system, patients may face increasing difficulty accessing essential medical services.
2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule Released
The proposed rule includes several proposals related to Medicare physician payment and the Quality Payment Program. Read more about the provisions the ACR will address during the comment period.
ACR Meets with Trump Administration to Discuss 2026 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule
Issues discussed at a meeting with the Office of Management & Budget included increasing Medicare reimbursement for physicians, telemedicine permanence, removing G2211 restrictions, adequate reimbursement for therapies and more flexibility for chemotherapy administration codes. The proposed rule is currently under review by the OMB, which is usually the last step prior to releasing publicly for stakeholder review and comment.
Unless Congress Acts, Medicare Reimbursement Will Remain Flat or Drop in 2025
The 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule, released Nov. 1, includes a conversion factor of $32.3465, a 2.83% drop from 2024. In response to advocacy efforts from the ACR and other medical societies, Congress recently introduced the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2024, which would eliminate the 2.83% payment cut and provide an inflationary update for 2025 equal to 50% of the Medicare Economic Index.
ACR Comments on 2025 Physician Fee Schedule
The ACR’s response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services addresses the likely harm of the proposed conversion factor on the solvency and stability of rheumatology practices. The comments also include recommendations on complex drug administration coding, inflation-adjusted drug rebates and extending telehealth flexibilities.
Summary of Notable Provisions in CY 2025 Medicare PFS Proposed Rule
The ACR will provide comments on several provisions related to Medicare physician payment and the Quality Payment Program.
2024 Proposed Rule for the Quality Payment Program Released
See key changes for the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System for the 2024 performance year as outlined in the proposed rule.