May 21, 2024

U.S. Senate Committee on Finance Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-ID), recently released a white paper, Bolstering Chronic Care through Physician Payment: Current Challenges and Policy Options in Medicare Part B related to Medicare physician payment reform. Their paper outlines areas of interest the committee views as an opportunity for reform. These include:

  • Creating sustainable payment updates to ensure clinicians can own and operate their practices.
  • Incentivizing alternative payment models that reward providing better care at a lower cost.
  • Rethinking how Medicare measures quality care.
  • Improving primary care.
  • Supporting chronic care benefits in Medicare fee-for-service.
  • Ensuring continued access to telehealth.

The American College of Radiology® (ACR®) asserts that year-over-year, statutorily-mandated cuts to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule demonstrate the Medicare payment system is broken and a permanent fix is urgently necessary. ACR is encouraged that the committee is taking thoughtful steps toward payment reform and will provide feedback on the white paper to the committee.

If you have any questions, contact Rebecca Spangler, ACR Senior Government Relations Director.

Related ACR News

  • Focus on Scope: Latest Status of State Healthcare-Related Bills

    Overview of status of several bills in this year’s state legislative sessions related to scope of practice.

    Read more
  • Participate in the Healthcare AI Challenge at ACR 2025

    Call for ACR 2025 attendees to participate in healthcare AI challenge at the upcoming meeting.

    Read more
  • Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments in Kennedy vs. Braidwood Case

    ACR is monitoring the Kennedy vs. Braidwood Management case, which could potentially affect full insurance coverage of at least some cancer screening exams.

    Read more