American Academy of Dermatology President Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD
Newswise — WASHINGTON, DC — The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has once again finalized reductions to the 2025 physician fee schedule for the fifth consecutive year, reducing patient access to care due to increased costs and decreased payments. was further hindered.
Medicare has finalized a nearly 2.83% cut in payments for physician services in 2025. For dermatologists, the proposed Medicare cuts would impact access to critical skin cancer treatments, life-changing treatments for chronic inflammatory skin diseases, and more. Approximately 9,500 people are diagnosed with this cancer each day in the United States.
According to the Definitive Healthcare 2023 report, between 2020 and 2022, more than 70,000 physicians left the healthcare profession due to several issues such as rising costs, administrative burden, and burnout.
Since starting my practice, I have had to increase my patient numbers to meet demand while also juggling rising overhead costs.
The reductions in Medicare payments to physicians, which have occurred every year since 2021, stem from a complex series of systemic flaws in budget rules and requirements that, if not addressed, threaten physicians’ ability to provide care. This will continue to be the case. These include Medicare’s budget neutrality requirements, which mandate that increases in certain physician services must be balanced by cuts in others, without fear of inflationary pressures. The failure of Medicare physician payments to keep up with inflation is the biggest threat to maintaining patient access to care.
The American Academy of Dermatology is urgently calling on Congress to reform current Medicare cuts before more patients suffer. Congress must act, including three House bills, HR 2474, “Medicare Enhancement for Patients and Providers Act,” HR 6371, “Provider Reimbursement Stability Act,” and HR 10073, “Medicare Patient Access.” We must act now by passing legislation that will help stabilize payments. and the Business Stability Act of 2024. Senate Bill S. 4935, Physician Compensation Stabilization Act.
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About AAD
Headquartered in Rosemont, Illinois, and founded in 1938, the American Academy of Dermatology is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatological societies. With a membership of more than 21,000 physicians worldwide, AAD is dedicated to advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatments of skin, hair, and nails. Advocates for high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology. Support and enhance patient care, as skin, hair and nail conditions can have a significant impact on health and well-being. For more information, contact AAD at (888) 462-DERM (3376) or aad.org. Follow @AADskin on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube and @AADskin1 on Instagram.
