capitol hill report: senate group to discuss medicare payment reform

After years of outreach from the AAN and other physician associations, the Senate Committee on Finance has convened a working group to discuss the best way to update the Medicare Access and CHIPS Reauthorization Act (MACRA) and reform the system for physician reimbursement under Medicare. This group is led by Senators Mark Warner (D-VA), John Thune (R-SD), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), John Barrasso (R-WY), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN). The group was formed to “investigate and propose long-term reforms to the physician fee schedule (PFS) and make necessary updates to the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act”.

As part of the senators’ efforts, the working group is hosting roundtables with relevant stakeholders to get the full picture of what needs to be addressed in Medicare reimbursement to deliver the highest quality care to patients across the country. On Wednesday, June 5, AAN staff participated in one such roundtable including organizations representing primary and cognitive care physicians. Staff spoke with a unified voice about the importance of properly valuing Evaluation and Management (E/M) services and the distinct role cognitive care plays in the health care system.

While the roundtable was focused on high-level issues, the AAN was able to express the importance of Congress addressing the never-ending cycle of cuts to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). Specifically, the Academy addressed the disproportionate impact that budget neutrality constraints have on E/M codes and the role the long-term devaluation of those codes has played in physician shortages and consolidation. The AAN also expressed the importance of understanding the unique nature of cognitive care and offered to continue to work with the Senate Finance Committee to find a way to appropriately evaluate cognitive E/M visits.

The AAN will continue working with Congress to reform issues with the MPFS. If you have any questions about this topic, please don’t hesitate to email AAN advocacy staff.