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S. 4935

BillFederalSenateIn Committee
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to update the budget neutrality threshold under the Medicare physician fee schedule.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · August 1, 2024
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Congress
118th (2023–2025)
Introduced
August 1, 2024
Cosponsors (8)
4D 3R
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Summary

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The Physician Fee Stabilization Act modifies how Medicare adjusts payment rates for physician services by updating the budget neutrality threshold used in the Medicare physician fee schedule. Currently, the law uses a $20 million threshold to trigger automatic adjustments to physician fees, but this bill gradually increases that threshold to $53 million starting in 2026 to account for inflation and prevent sharp payment cuts to doctors. Beginning in 2031 and every five years thereafter, the threshold will be automatically adjusted based on the Medicare Economic Index, which tracks changes in physician practice costs. This legislation is sponsored by a bipartisan group of senators and would primarily affect physicians who provide Medicare services, as it could help stabilize their reimbursement rates and reduce the need for sudden fee reductions. The bill does not specify any direct federal funding requirements, as it operates within existing Medicare payment mechanisms.

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