Congress released a $460 billion spending package that would halve 2024’s 3.4% Medicare pay cut for physicians to approximately 1.7%.
The package, which consists of six bills, would be used to fund the entire government, The Washington Post reported.
Here are three things ASC leaders should know about the package:
1. The package would temporarily lower the 3.4% Medicare physician fee cut, which took effect in January, to about 1.7%, according to Bloomberg Law. This rate would remain in effect until Jan. 1, 2025.
2. The legislation would fund six government agencies, and legislative action must be completed by March 8 to avoid a partial government shutdown.
3. A second six-bill package is expected to be proposed by March 22 that must be passed by April 30 to avoid a 1% cut to all government agencies, according to The Post.