Providers Oppose Proposed 2027 Medicare Payment Cuts
The comment period for the proposed CY 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule rule has closed, with CMS receiving over 40,000 comments largely opposing proposed payment reductions and changes to practice expense methodology.
The comment period for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed rule for the CY 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) closed on September 14, drawing over 40,000 comments from healthcare stakeholders. The feedback reflects widespread industry opposition to several key provisions.
Commenters broadly opposed proposed payment reductions, noting that when adjusted for inflation, Medicare physician payments have already declined by approximately one-third since 2001. Many urged CMS and Congress to establish a permanent, inflation-based annual update. Other significant concerns included proposed changes to practice expense methodology, which stakeholders argued lacked sufficient impact analysis, and a proposal to halve payments for certain evaluation and management services furnished on the same day as a procedure. There was also strong opposition to new restrictions on remote monitoring services, while commenters voiced broad support for making current telehealth flexibilities permanent.
CMS is reviewing the feedback and is expected to issue a final rule around November 1, 2026. The policies are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027.