Neurosurgery Mentioned in Articles about Medicare Payment Cuts

On Nov. 19, the AANS and the CNS issued a press release on Medicare payment cuts. Subsequently, Becker’s Spine Review published an article titled “Surgeons Want 3.75% CMS Payment Extended Into 2022,” featuring John K. Ratliff, MD, chair of the AANS/CNS Washington Committee. The article highlighted neurosurgery’s endorsement of the Supporting Medicare Providers Act (H.R. 6020), which would mitigate the 9.75% Medicare reimbursement cut physicians faced in 2022. “Congress needs to address long-term challenges associated with Medicare payment policy, especially the budget neutrality requirements that continue to drive these steep cuts for many physician specialties, including neurosurgery,” according to Dr. Ratliff.

A Nov. 22, Inside Health Policy article titled “Bera, Bucshon Bill Would Push 3.75% Medicare Cut To 2023” also highlighted the introduction of H.R. 6020, sponsored by Reps. Ami Bera, MD, (D-Calif.) and Larry Bucshon, MD, (R-Ind.). The article noted the AANS and the CNS support of the legislation.