A new survey from the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery finds that a CMS proposal to cut same-day evaluation payments by 50% could drive ENTs to reduce Medicare patient capacity or exit the program altogether. More than 1,400 otolaryngologists say a proposed Medicare payment cut could reduce seniors’ access to specialty care, according to new survey data released Aug....
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✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
No actionable clinical practice change; audiologists and ENTs should monitor CMS rulemaking and consider engaging advocacy channels through AAO-HNS if this cut threatens referral pipelines or co-located care models.
A 50% same-day evaluation payment cut could reduce seniors' access to ENT and, by extension, audiology services, reshaping referral patterns and patient volumes across the specialty.
- 01AAO-HNS surveyed 1,400+ otolaryngologists about a proposed CMS cut to same-day evaluation payments.
- 0280% of respondents said the cut could lead them to reduce Medicare patient capacity or exit the program.
- 03The proposed cut targets same-day evaluation-and-management plus procedure payments at a 50% reduction.
- 04Reduced ENT Medicare participation would disproportionately affect seniors who rely on specialty hearing care.
- 05The findings are based on a professional association survey, not an independent study.
8 in 10 ENTs say the proposed CMS 50% same-day evaluation payment cut could lead them to reduce Medicare patient capacity or leave the program.
quotepartially supportedThe proposed CMS cut would reduce same-day evaluation payments to otolaryngologists by 50%.
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