Urgent Call for Congressional Action on Medicare Cuts
Impact of Medicare Cuts on Patient Care
Congress must act now to protect patients' health care access in the face of consecutive cuts
American Academy of Dermatology President Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD
On November 1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced significant cuts to the physician fee schedule for 2025, marking the fifth consecutive year of decreases. This ongoing trend continues to complicate patient access to essential care as practice costs escalate while reimbursements dwindle.
The finalized cut amounts to nearly 2.83% for physician services, a decision that particularly burdens dermatologists. Such reductions raise concerns regarding access to critical services like skin cancer treatments and innovative therapies for chronic inflammatory skin conditions. Each day, approximately 9,500 individuals in the U.S. receive a skin cancer diagnosis, underscoring the urgent nature of this issue.
Additionally, a report by Definitive Healthcare indicates that over 70,000 physicians have exited the healthcare workforce from 2020 to 2022. This alarming trend stems from various challenges, including rising operational costs, administrative hurdles, and overall burnout among medical professionals.
Throughout my career, I have had to increase my patient volume to manage the growing demand while tackling the rising costs associated with running my practice. Unfortunately, these Medicare payment reductions, consistent since 2021, are driven by a host of complex budgetary rules and systemic flaws in the payment requirements.
The budget-neutrality requirement of Medicare dictates that any enhancement in payment for certain services must be offset by cuts elsewhere, without acknowledging inflationary impacts. The inadequate adjustments of Medicare physician payments in relation to inflation are jeopardizing patient care accessibility.
The American Academy of Dermatology Association is urgently calling for Congressional action to reform these damaging Medicare cuts before they further compromise patient care. It is imperative that Congress urgently passes legislation to stabilize physician payments. The proposed bills include H.R. 2474, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act; H.R. 6371, the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act; H.R. 10073, the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2024; and the Senate bill S. 4935, the Physician Fee Stabilization Act.
About the American Academy of Dermatology
The American Academy of Dermatology, headquartered in Rosemont, Illinois, has been a leader in dermatological advancements since 1938. As the largest and most influential dermatologic association globally, it represents over 21,000 physicians. The AAD focuses on enhancing the diagnosis, treatment, and research related to skin, hair, and nails, advocating for high standards in clinical practice and education.
Furthermore, the Academy is dedicated to elevating patient care, with the understanding that skin, hair, and nail issues can significantly impact health and overall well-being. For further inquiries, contact the AAD at (888) 462-DERM (3376).
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the recent Medicare cuts announced?
The recent cuts announced by CMS for 2025 include a nearly 2.83% reduction in payments to physicians, which has significant implications for patient access to healthcare.
How do these cuts affect dermatologists specifically?
Dermatologists are particularly affected as the cuts threaten access to vital treatments for skin cancer and chronic skin conditions, impacting patient care significantly.
What actions are being requested from Congress?
The American Academy of Dermatology is calling for Congress to urgently pass legislation that stabilizes physician payments to ensure patient access to necessary healthcare services.
Why are physicians leaving the healthcare workforce?
Challenges such as rising costs, administrative burdens, and burnout have led to over 70,000 physicians leaving the healthcare field from 2020 to 2022.
What is the mission of the American Academy of Dermatology?
The AAD is committed to advancing the quality of care in dermatology through education, advocacy, and research, emphasizing the importance of patient care and the impact of dermatological issues on overall health.
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