Important News: ASIPP Files Comments to CMS on Physician Fee Schedule: ASIPP Requests Elimination of Cuts, Introduction of a Modifier for Independent Physicians

CMS issued the proposed rule CMS-1832-P on July 16, 2025, titled Medicare and Medicaid Programs; CY 2026 Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Payment and Coverage Policies; Medicare Shared Savings Program Requirements; and Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program.

On September 11, 2025, ASIPP submitted a comment letter advocating for the following:

1. Elimination of proposed efficiency adjustment, which is inappropriate, and efficiency is rather decreasing than increasing.
2. Due to escalating costs, practice expense cuts applicable to independent physicians need to be addressed.
3. Ambulatory Specialty Model (ASM) appears to be without evidence and inappropriate, putting independent physicians at high risk for survival; consequently, this should be eliminated or conducted voluntary trial for five years.
4. Telehealth services must be made permanent.

Enclosed are ASIPP’s detailed comment letter, Chairman Comer’s recent letter to CMS and OMB, and 3 published articles addressing this issue.

• • Manchikanti L, et al. Physician payment reform in interventional pain management: Balancing cost, quality, access and survival of independent practices. Pain Physician 2025; in press.
  • Manchikanti L, et al. Non-partisan proposal for reforming physician payment system and preserving telehealth services. Pain Physician 2025; 28:E329-E335.
  • Manchikanti L, et al. Escalating growth of spending on Medicare Advantage (MA) plans: Save Medicare from insolvency and balance the budget. Pain Physician 2025; in press.