Late Thursday, December 9, 2021, the Senate passed legislation that will stop the Medicare cuts to hospitals, physicians and other providers from going into effect on January 1, 2022!  This Bill has also passed the House and is expected to be signed by President Biden shortly.

The Bill extends the moratorium on the 2% Medicare sequester cuts until April 1, 2022.  It also reduces the cut from 2% to 1% from April 1 through June 30.  This is to be paid for by increasing the sequester in 2030. The Bill prevents the 4% statutory Pay-As-You-Go cut.

The Bill mitigates the 3.75% cut in the Physician Fee Schedule, instead, CMS will be implementing a 3% increase in the conversion factor.  Bottom line will be a .5% reduction in the conversion factor for 2022.

The Bill also DELAYS implementation of the Radiation Oncology Model for another year now slated to begin on January 1, 2023. The Bill also delays the payment cuts under the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule for one year.

To review this Legislation, CLICK HERE.