The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) has published its comments on the proposed 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and Quality Payment Program (QPP) proposed rule.
The association made recommendations regarding the Medicare conversation factor and the extension of telehealth service provisions.
“We appreciate the opportunity to share our comments regarding the proposed changes to the Medicare PFS and QPP, and to offer recommendations to improve these policies to support group practices as they provide high-quality care for their communities,” the MGMA stated.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) estimates the 2025 Medicare PFS conversion factor to be $32.35, a decrease of $0.93, or approximately 2.8%, from the 2024 conversion factor of $33.28. This stems from statutory budget neutrality requirements and the expiration of congressional legislation. The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on July 30.
Medical imaging societies have also recently commented on the rule. The American College of Radiology (ACR) in July noted that the overall impact of the proposed MPFS will be neutral on radiology, nuclear medicine, and radiation oncology. However, interventional radiology will have a decrease of 2%.
The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) meanwhile voiced opposition toward the conversion factor cuts and Jeff Michalski, MD, chair of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) board of directors, called the cuts “disappointing.”
The MGMA in its comments made two recommendations to the CMS. The first recommendation is to work with Congress to provide a positive update to the Medicare conversion factor in 2025 and all future years. The association stated concerns with the estimated reduction to the 2025 conversion factor and its impact on medical group practice. It added that the conversion factor over the past five years has intensified administrative and financial pressures faced by medical groups.
“These ongoing cuts coupled with a lack of an inflationary update further exacerbate these issues and undermine the ability of physician practices to provide high-quality care — the current situation is untenable and must be remedied immediately,” the association said.
The second recommendation is for the CMS to work with Congress to extend telehealth flexibilities beyond 2024 and permanently cover these services. The MGMA stated that medical groups continue to use telehealth services for their patients and that no such extensions could impact patient access.
The MGMA has a membership of more than 60,000 medical practice administrators, executives, and leaders. It represents over 15,000 medical groups comprising over 350,000 physicians, ranging from small independent practices to large regional and national health systems.
The MGMA's full comments can be accessed here.
