$1.7T Spending Bill Eases Medicare Rate Cuts, Extends Telehealth Waivers

Modern Healthcare | By Alex Kacik
 
Lawmakers unveiled a 4,155-page, $1.7 trillion spending bill Tuesday that includes provisions affecting the future of how healthcare is paid for and delivered across the nation, from the comfort of one's home to hospitals in rural communities.
 
The omnibus bill, which requires the approval of the House and Senate, has to be approved by the end of Friday or the government faces a potential shutdown.
Here's what's in the bill for healthcare.
 
Medicare rate cuts
The legislation outlines a 2% cut for Medicare rates to doctors in 2023, increasing the following year.
 
The proposed cuts are an improvement from the 4.5% rate suggested earlier this year. However, Dr. Jack Resneck Jr., president of the American Medical Association, said he is “deeply worried” that providers may stop taking Medicare patients, especially given additional strain from inflation, and again urged Congress to reform physician pay rates.
 
“The AMA is extremely disappointed and dismayed that Congress failed to prevent Medicare cuts next year, threatening the financial viability of physician practices and endangering access to care for Medicare beneficiaries,” Resneck said in a statement.

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