Editor's Note: The following is excerpted and revised from Sam Collins' latest article in Dynamic Chiropractic's sister publication, Acupuncture Today, to disseminate timely information to the chiropractic profession regarding the looming fee cuts, which would impact DCs as well.
Medicare is scheduled to make a significant reduction in Medicare rates in 2021.
Thirty-six (36) different specialties face cuts in 2021 (including chiropractic, acupuncture, PT/OT, ophthalmology, audiology, and clinical social work) with the increase in payment for the physician E/M codes. However, CMS has not determined the actual cuts to each code as of press time.
All Medicare provider groups have formed a coalition to block these scheduled cuts and there are things that you can do. Several House representatives have introduced the Holding Providers Harmless from Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act. This comprehensive bill has wide support in Congress and among Medicare providers. H.R. 8702, through what is known as a "hold harmless" approach, would ensure that payments to Medicare providers, including chiropractic providers, remain at current levels through 2022.
Take a moment today to send a letter to your local congressperson and urge them to co-sponsor this critical legislation. (To find your congressional representatives in the House and Senate, visit here.) This rule is not finalized and with the support of doctors of chiropractic and others, hopefully, it will be blocked. Let's do our part.