The CardioVascular Coalition Applauds CMS for Taking Action to Address Long-Standing Practice Expense Inequities in 2026 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule

Washington, D.C. – The CardioVascular Coalition (CVC), a national alliance dedicated to improving patient access to cardiovascular care, today praised the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for proposing long-overdue updates to the indirect practice expense (PE) methodology in the CY 2026 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Proposed Rule.

Read the CVC Comment letter.

For years, office-based interventional providers—many of whom are independent physicians, small businesses, and rural practices—have faced deep cuts that threaten access to care in community settings. Office-based interventional providers have seen cumulative payment reductions of 20-40% percent over the last several years, which has contributed to center closures and consolidation.

The proposed 2026 IPE policy represents the first meaningful course correction in nearly two decades. By modernizing the methodology to reflect contemporary practice trends, CMS acknowledges that the PFS has historically disadvantaged freestanding providers and contributed to site-of-service payment differentials.

“CMS deserves credit for taking this important step toward fairness,” said Dr. Paul Gagne, a CVC board member. “For too long, the system has penalized office-based practices that deliver high-quality, cost-effective care. This policy update will help stabilize community-based interventional care and ensure patients—especially those in rural and underserved communities—can continue to receive treatment close to home.”

The CVC emphasized that additional reforms remain necessary, but applauded CMS for explicitly rejecting outdated and unreliable practice cost benchmarks such as the AMA’s Physician Practice Information Survey (PPIS). Left uncorrected, PPIS data would have triggered double-digit cuts across multiple specialties, undermining patient access to life- and limb-saving procedures.

The Coalition noted that the updated IPE policy supports market-based solutions, strengthens independent practice, and helps reduce disparities in access to endovascular care.

“The 2026 PFS Proposed rule sends a strong signal that CMS recognizes the vital role of independent, office-based providers,” added Dr. Gagne. “This is a long-overdue correction that will help preserve patient choice and protect the future of community-based medicine.”

About the CardioVascular Coalition (CVC):

The CardioVascular Coalition (CVC) is an alliance of physicians, care providers, and manufacturers working together to improve patient access to cardiovascular care, with a particular focus on peripheral artery disease (PAD) and coronary artery disease (CAD). CVC members represent providers and staff in 45 states at more than 378 centers of excellence for minimally invasive cardiovascular care. Learn more at www.cardiovascularcoalition.com