New Medicare Rule Will Cut Pay for Doctors: How It Affects Your Care
Summary
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services finalized a 2027 physician payment rule that will lower Medicare reimbursement rates starting January 1. The rule does not change beneficiaries’ coverage, but physician groups warn that financial pressure could lead some practices to limit appointments or new Medicare patients.Key Facts
- For most physicians, the Medicare conversion factor will fall from about $33.40 in 2026 to $32.63 in 2027, a decrease of roughly 2.31 percent.
- For physicians in qualifying alternative payment models, the conversion factor will drop from about $33.57 to $32.95, a decrease of roughly 1.83 percent.
- The finalized reductions are larger than CMS proposed in July, when it projected cuts of about 1.68 percent for most physicians and 1.19 percent for qualifying alternative payment model participants.
- The rule takes effect on January 1, 2027.
- The rule does not automatically end a doctor's participation in Medicare or reduce beneficiaries' coverage.
- Physician groups say lower payments could lead some practices to reduce available appointments or limit the number of Medicare patients they accept.
- The American College of Cardiology said the finalized policies could make it harder for cardiovascular clinicians to provide needed care.
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