Capitol Hill Report

July 22, 2024

urge congress to prevent proposed cut

Issue in Focus

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) proposed rule this month. The proposed rule included a number of positive developments for neurological practice, including reforms to promote access to audio-only telehealth service, the extension of a number of flexibilities associated with providing telehealth services during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, and reforms aimed at improving access to neurological medication. However, the Fee Schedule once again included a cut to reimbursement for health care providers who bill Medicare, including those who serve patients with neurological conditions.

Specifically, due to the phase-out of temporary relief measures contained in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 and statutory budget neutrality requirements, CMS is currently proposing a reduction in the fee schedule conversion factor of approximately 2.8%. While CMS can propose policies that substantially impact neurological care, it cannot unilaterally add additional funds into the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. As such, the agency’s hands are tied, and this cut can only be fixed through an act of Congress.

The AAN is highly supportive of requests to Congress to waive budget neutrality and to appropriate necessary additional funds into the MPFS that will offset the impacts of the expiration of temporary relief measures. Additionally, the AAN continues to call on Congress to end the annual cycle of cuts by providing a permanent positive update, based on medical inflation, to the 2025 MPFS and in all future years to counterbalance the detrimental impacts of inflation on patient access to care and the stability of neurology practices serving all communities.

With many competing priorities—ranging from taxes to agricultural policy—that need to be addressed before the end of the year, Congress will not act on this issue unless they hear from constituents. With our AAN Advocacy Action Center, you can send a letter to your representatives in seconds. Write your member of Congress today and ask them to fix the cuts in the proposed MPFS as soon as possible.

Latest Advocacy News

AAN Comments on Botulinum Toxin Coverage Policies
The AAN submitted comments this month in response to coordinated local coverage determinations from the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) concerning coverage policies impacting botulinum toxin injections.

While the AAN is grateful for efforts to harmonize coverage policies in different areas, the AAN’s comments raised several concerns about how the various proposals would impact access to neurological care. In support of this effort, the AAN also led a stakeholder sign-on letter that included sixteen national organizations and urged the MACs to reconsider their proposals.

Join AAN Support of the ALS Better Care Act
AAN president Carlayne Jackson, MD, FAAN, joined clinicians across the country this month in sending a letter to the House and Senate on behalf of physicians providing multidisciplinary care to people living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in support of the ALS Better Care Act (H.R.5663/S.3258). The bill would ensure that patients with ALS can receive care at multidisciplinary clinics around the country by enhancing Medicare reimbursement to match the high-quality, multifaceted care these clinics provide.

The letter was led by a coalition in support of the bill, of which the AAN is an active member. Please join Dr. Jackson in advocating for support for ALS multidisciplinary clinics by contacting your representatives and urging them to support the ALS Better Care Act!

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