March 20, 2025

The American College of Radiology® (ACR®) released a detailed summary of the radiology-relevant topics included in the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) March Report to Congress. In its report, MedPAC outlines recommendations and provides updates on national trends in spending, assessments of payment adequacy and updating payments in fee-for-service Medicare, and the Medicare Advantage (MA) program.

The commission made the following recommendations within the report for physician services’ payments. Congress should:

  • For calendar year 2026, replace the current-law updates to Medicare payment rates for physician and other health professional services with a single update equal to the projected increase in the Medicare Economic Index minus 1 percentage point; and
  • Enact the commission’s March 2023 recommendation to establish safety-net add-on payments under the physician fee schedule for services delivered to low-income Medicare beneficiaries.

MedPAC is a nonpartisan, independent legislative branch commission created to advise Congress about Medicare-related issues.

For more information or if you have questions, contact Christina Berry, ACR Team Lead, Economic Policy, or Kimberly Greck, ACR Senior Economic Policy Analyst.

Related ACR News

  • State Legislative Bills Report

    As most state legislatures end their 2025 sessions and look to 2026, ACR staff is looking at how some radiology-specific bills they tracked fared this year.

    Read more
  • Medicare Payment Increase in Final Budget Reconciliation Bill

    The bill includes a 2.5% increase to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for calendar year 2026.

    Read more
  • CMS Announces Prior Authorization Test Model

    WiSer is a six-year program that will begin in six states on January 1, 2026. It will introduce prior authorization using AI technology for a select number of services, including some IR procedures.

    Read more