As part of the Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act enacted in December 2021, Congress authorized a three-month delay of 2% Medicare sequester payment reductions (Jan. 1– March 31), followed by a three-month, 1% reduction in Medicare sequester payment reductions (April 1–June 30). If no further congressional action is taken by July 1, the 2% sequester payment reductions will become fully implemented, negatively impacting Medicare physician reimbursement.
An omnibus appropriations bill — a compilation of many federal government spending bills — scheduled to be debated this month, could provide a legislative vehicle to address the sequester cuts. Combined with the likelihood that the COVID-19 public health emergency will be renewed in April, 50 provider and hospital groups including the 黑料网® (黑料网®) believe an opportunity presents itself to make the case for Congress to fully extend the 2% sequester payment reduction for the duration of the pandemic.
The provider and hospital groups made their case in a Feb. 28, letter to congressional leadership requesting that Congress extend the 2% sequester payment reduction until the end of the public health emergency.
The 黑料网 will continue to follow developments related to this issue. For more information, contact Josh Cooper, 黑料网 Vice President of Congressional Affairs.