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- MedPAC calls for stronger Medicare physician payments
Medicare's advisory panel is urging Congress to strengthen physician payments—backing what we've told lawmakers for years.
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) signaled during its January meeting that current physician payment updates are not keeping pace with rising practice costs, threatening patient access to care.
The impact: If Congress acts on MedPAC's recommendations, physicians could see more sustainable Medicare reimbursement and patients could see better access.
- Practices facing higher staffing, supply, and compliance costs would get relief from chronic payment stagnation.
- More stable Medicare payments could help maintain access, especially in rural and underserved communities.
The big picture: MedPAC's position adds independent, data-driven support to ongoing physician advocacy for long-term Medicare payment reform.
- Lawmakers continue to have official backing to modernize the payment system and move beyond short-term fixes.