Congress Must Act to Alleviate Medicare Cuts and Make Telehealth Waivers Permanent

AMGA Details Priorities in Letter to Congress

Alexandria, VA – AMGA today called on Congress to ensure Medicare appropriately reimburses physician group practices and integrated systems of care by reversing the 2.8% cut to the Medicare Part B conversion factor that took effect earlier this year. In a letter to Congress on AMGA’s policy priorities, AMGA emphasized the cuts to Medicare reimbursement threaten to reduce patient access to care. 

“AMGA members across the country are currently struggling to find ways to continue providing comprehensive care to Medicare beneficiaries while being reimbursed less year after year,” said Jerry Penso, MD, MBA, AMGA president and CEO. “While AMGA appreciates Congress addressing statutory Pay-As-You-Go, as well as the temporary extension of the Hospital at Home Program and the current telehealth waivers until March, Congress’s failure to address the 2.8% cuts to the Medicare Conversion Factor last December continues to add to the strain. Congress must address these cuts and work to establish consistent payment across the Medicare system to ensure that providers can provide equal access for Medicare beneficiaries.”

The letter also addressed other AMGA priorities, including extending the Hospital at Home Program, continuing the Advanced Alternative Payment Model (APM) Bonus Program, and permanently eliminating the geographic and originating site restrictions for telehealth services.

The letter is available on AMGA’s website. 

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About AMGA

AMGA is a trade association leading the transformation of healthcare in America. Representing multispecialty medical groups and integrated systems of care, we advocate, educate, innovate, and empower our members to deliver the next level of high performance health. AMGA is the national voice promoting awareness of our members’ recognized excellence in the delivery of coordinated, high-quality, high-value care. More than 175,000 physicians practice in our member organizations, delivering care to one in three Americans. 

AMGA represents medical groups and integrated systems of care. Its diverse membership includes multispecialty medical groups, integrated delivery systems, accountable care organizations, and other entities committed to improving healthcare outcomes. AMGA advocates for the formation of innovative, clinically integrated systems of care that advance population health, enhance patient experience, and reduce healthcare costs. For more information, please visit www.amga.org.