Congress Halves 2024 Medicare Payment Cut to Physicians; MMA, AMA Unsatisfied and Pushing Reform

March 14, 2024

On March 8, Congress halved the 2024 Medicare cut to physician payments, from 3.37% to 1.68%, as part of a larger spending package. The change took effect on March 9 and continues through the calendar year, but it does not apply retroactively.  

This action follows months of pressure applied by the MMA and AMA on Congress to not only stop Medicare cuts but to also adopt lasting, inflation-based payment updates to physician payments. While the MMA and AMA welcome some relief over none, neither are signaling satisfaction with Congress.  

As the real and nominal costs to practice medicine continue to climb, any cut to Medicare physician payments is unacceptable. A stop to these cuts, and the start of permanent, inflation-based payment increases, are essential to the survival of practices and the health of the people they serve. The MMA and AMA are committed to the continued fight for these reforms. 

The MMA will continue to inform its members on actions related to Medicare physician payment reform. If you have any questions, please contact Adrian Uphoff, MMA health policy analyst.