American College of Rheumatology Reacts to Proposed 2024 Physician Payment Rule

WASHINGTON, DC – The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) shared the following initial reaction to the CY 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program proposed rule.

“While the ACR appreciates CMS’ continued recognition of the value of complex care provided by rheumatologists and other cognitive care specialists by continuing to operationalize the Evaluation and Management (E/M) coding changes, we are gravely concerned that the proposed rule’s physician payment cuts contained in CMS’ conversion factor would add to physicians’ uncertainty about their continued ability to provide the highest quality of care to Medicare patients,” said Douglas White, MD, PhD, president of the ACR. “The ACR will review the rule closely and looks forward to working with the CMS and Congress to mitigate the fee schedule’s impact on physicians who continue to confront workforce shortages, onerous payor utilization management policies, and sustained payment cuts.”

ACR also said the proposed rule’s impact on physicians is evidence why Congress should pass the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act (H.R. 2474), a bipartisan bill intended to update Medicare physician payments to reflect the impact of the broader economy on physician practices.

Media Contact
Monica McDonald
mmcdonald@rheumatology.org
404-365-2162

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About the American College of Rheumatology
Founded in 1934, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) is a not-for-profit, professional association committed to advancing the specialty of rheumatology that serves nearly 8,500 physicians, health professionals, and scientists worldwide. In doing so, the ACR offers education, research, advocacy and practice management support to help its members continue their innovative work and provide quality patient care. Rheumatology professionals are experts in the diagnosis, management and treatment of more than 100 different types of arthritis and rheumatic diseases.