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- CAP Secures Medicare Pay Boost to Pathologists in New Spending Plan Proposal
Following months of direct lobbying by the CAP and physician community, congressional leaders in a federal spending bill released on March proposed additional relief from Medicare payment cuts that went into effect January 1. Throughout 2023 and early 2024, the CAP strenuously lobbied lawmakers to enact short-term Medicare payment relief and now it appears Congress will increase physician pay from current levels by 1.68% if the spending bill becomes law. Medicare’s payment formula had cut pathology services by 2.72% in 2024 while some other physician specialties faced higher reductions. The new spending package proposed on March 3 would increase Medicare pay for the remainder of the year by 1.68%, meaning that overall pathology pay would be 1.04% lower in 2024 compared to last year. Specific actions the CAP took to achieve this increase to pathology pay include: Activating our PathNET grassroots network supporting House leaders in addressing the Medicare cut.Activating PathNET to support Senate leaders in addressing the cut. Executing a virtual “fly-in” where 60 pathologists met with top lawmakers and advocate for relief from Medicare cuts.Holding several high-level meetings to discuss Medicare cuts with the offices of congressional leaders, such as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Meeting with 145 congressional offices to discuss the Medicare cuts and the impact they have on pathology practices across the country during our 2023 Hill Day. The spending plan is expected to pass the House and the Senate by March 8. While the CAP has urged Congress to enact a short-term fix to Medicare cuts, the CAP will be advocating for long-term reform during the Pathologists Leadership Summit.
Following months of direct lobbying by the CAP and physician community, congressional leaders in a federal spending bill released on March proposed additional relief from Medicare payment cuts that went into effect January 1. Throughout 2023 and early 2024, the CAP strenuously lobbied lawmakers to enact short-term Medicare payment relief and now it appears Congress will increase physician pay from current levels by 1.68% if the spending bill becomes law.
Medicare’s payment formula had cut pathology services by 2.72% in 2024 while some other physician specialties faced higher reductions. The new spending package proposed on March 3 would increase Medicare pay for the remainder of the year by 1.68%, meaning that overall pathology pay would be 1.04% lower in 2024 compared to last year.
Specific actions the CAP took to achieve this increase to pathology pay include:
- Activating our PathNET grassroots network supporting House leaders in addressing the Medicare cut.
- Activating PathNET to support Senate leaders in addressing the cut.
- Executing a virtual “fly-in” where 60 pathologists met with top lawmakers and advocate for relief from Medicare cuts.
- Holding several high-level meetings to discuss Medicare cuts with the offices of congressional leaders, such as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
- Meeting with 145 congressional offices to discuss the Medicare cuts and the impact they have on pathology practices across the country during our 2023 Hill Day.
The spending plan is expected to pass the House and the Senate by March 8. While the CAP has urged Congress to enact a short-term fix to Medicare cuts, the CAP will be advocating for long-term reform during the Pathologists Leadership Summit.