AHA comments on physician fee schedule proposed rule for CY 2027

The AHA provided comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Sept. 14 on the calendar year 2027 physician fee schedule proposed rule. The AHA expressed support for proposals regarding the Medicare Shared Savings Program that would expand participation in accountable care, such as establishing guardrails for the Accountable Care Prospective Trend, increasing the BASIC track Level E sharing rate and prior savings adjustment scaling factor, and enhancing beneficiary engagement through cost-sharing reductions. The AHA expressed concerns about the adequacy of Medicare physician payment rates and the potential impact on access to and quality of care and opposed the proposed reduction in the conversion factors for CY 2027. The AHA urged CMS not to finalize proposed changes to the indirect practice expense methodology and remote monitoring services, and also called on the agency to not finalize a 50% payment reduction when a separately identifiable office/outpatient evaluation and management visit is furnished on the same day as a global procedure.