Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Includes Pay Update, Telehealth Improvements Among a Grab Bag of Changes
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The American Medical Association (AMA) cautioned that while the 2026 Medicare Fee Schedule includes critical updates, like a 3.26% increase to the conversion factor and expanded telehealth flexibilities, other provisions could unintentionally harm private practices and patient access to care.
The AMA expressed concern that proposed “efficiency adjustments” will affect payments for over 95% of physician services, offsetting the positive changes to the conversion factor, threatening the stability of independent medical practices nationwide. Reductions in reimbursement for facility-based services could further undermine competition and drive consolidation, a trend CMS itself has sought to avoid. The AMA also expressed concern that CMS did not factor in the Physician Practice Information (PPI) Survey information in updating the 2026 practice expense relative values.
MSSNY echoes the AMA’s warning that sustainable physician payment reform, including a mechanism to ensure annual payment increases regardless of specialty, is essential to ensuring that New York’s physicians can continue providing high-quality care to patients without financial strain.
