Senate failure to pass 30-day extension causes 21.3 percent cut to Medicare physician payments on April 1

The Senate has adjourned for its two-week “Spring District Work Recess” without approving H.R. 4851, a short-term measure that would have extended the freeze on Medicare’s current physician payment rates through April 30. Several Senate Republicans led by Tom Coburn of Oklahoma objected to classifying the bill, which also included extensions of unemployment benefits and COBRA insurance, as emergency spending. The House of Representatives passed the bill on March 17. By law, the 21.3 percent cut to Medicare physician payments will take effect April 1.

In similar situations in the past, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has instructed carriers to temporarily hold claims. While CMS has not made this announcement yet, it is expected to. 

The Senate returns April 12 and has scheduled a cloture vote on the 30-day extension bill for 5:30 p.m. that evening.

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