Proposed Medicare Changes in 2027
Proposed Medicare Changes in 2027
Dear Valued Patient,
Medicare is considering significant changes for 2027 that could affect your access to orthopedic care.
Today, when you visit your orthopedic doctor, we do everything possible to address your needs in a single appointment. We can examine you, review your X-rays, discuss your treatment options and, when appropriate, provide treatment to help relieve your pain.
One visit. One trip.
Under the proposed changes, Medicare could reduce reimbursement for some orthopedic and spine care by as much as 20%, including for common procedures such as hip, knee, and shoulder replacements, while also significantly reducing payment when certain services are provided together during the same appointment. We are concerned these reductions could make it more difficult for doctors to continue providing the efficient, same-day care that patients depend on.
What sounds like a change in reimbursement could ultimately mean more appointments, more trips, longer waits, and less convenient access to care for Medicare patients.
What could these changes mean for you?
- More appointments for care that can often be completed in one visit today
- More copays and other costs associated with additional visits
- More travel, particularly for patients who live farther from their orthopedic doctor
- More time away from work, family, and other responsibilities
- Longer waits for treatment and potentially more time living with pain
- Reduced access to orthopedic specialists, particularly if declining Medicare reimbursement makes it more difficult for practices to continue caring for Medicare patients
We believe your care should be based on what is medically best for you, not on a Medicare payment policy that makes timely, efficient care more difficult to provide.
These changes have not yet been finalized, and patients have an opportunity to make their voices heard.
Please join us in asking Medicare and your elected representatives to protect seniors' access to high-quality orthopedic care.
Protect your access to orthopedic care by clicking the button below.