Washington, DC (November 2, 2022) The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI), the leading nonprofit medical society representing invasive and interventional cardiology, today called on Congress to pass legislation preventing the proposed 2023 Medicare Physician Payment Schedule final rule from being enacted. The recently released CMS final rule resulting in a rate of $33.06 represents a 4.5% cut to the 2023 Medicare Conversion Factor (CF) and would reduce patient access to physicians participating in Medicare. 

"The recently finalized 2023 Medicare CF rule stands in direct opposition to this Administration's stated goal of expanding access to vital prevention and treatment services," said SCAI President Sunil V. Rao, MD, FSCAI. "These proposed cuts are draconian and, if implemented, will roll back Medicare CF rates to levels not experienced since 1997." 

The 4.5% decrease from the 2022 Medicare CF is due to a roughly 3% cut from expiring legislation at the end of 2022 and an additional 1.6% cut from budget neutrality requirements. Compounding financial pressures on the program is the historic inflation hurting Americans across the country. The outdated Medicare CF does not consider inflation when determining the new annual rate, meaning physicians are forced to pay out of pocket to account for skyrocketing medical inflation. 

"Immediate Congressional action is required to prevent an exodus of participating physicians from the program, which would deprive millions of Americans access to necessary and life-saving treatments," continued Dr. Rao. "SCAI urges Republicans and Democrats to come together and pass legislation preventing these reckless cuts before the end of the year." 

About SCAI

The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) is a non-profit professional association with over 4,500 members representing interventional cardiologists and cardiac catheterization teams in the United States. SCAI promotes excellence in interventional cardiovascular medicine for both adults and children through education, representation, and the advancement of quality standards to enhance patient care.