CVC Leaders Meet with Policy Makers about New Cuts to Revascularization Services

CVC members join other office-based specialists for virtual lobby day

WASHINGTON, DC — Earlier this week, members of the CardioVascular Coalition from across the country partnered with United Specialists for Patient Access (USPA) to virtually meet with members of Congress about the importance of revascularization services and the proposed changes to the 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS).

CVC members shared with policy makers that the repeated cuts to office-based specialists, including those providing revascularization services to the 20 million Americans suffering from Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), are causing another round of office-based center closures, therefore reducing patient options and increasing costs. Click here to read CVC’s comment letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

USPA coalition partners met with over 100 offices during yesterday’s virtual day of action.

“If finalized, the proposed MPFS cuts will undercut access to revascularization services, which are critical to preventing avoidable amputations—especially among communities of color,” said Interventional Cardiologist and Endovascular Specialist Jeffrey G. Carr, MD, a CVC Board member. “The 5-9% cuts proposed by CMS would increase instability and threaten to undercut patient access to the revascularization services that are proven to prevent PAD-related amputations and reduce costs.”

Dr. Carr continued, “We are asking policy makers to reverse these cuts and focus on fundamental reform to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule that our specialty providers need to survive.”