The ISMA has joined the AMA and 133 other state and national medical societies in asking Congress to pass legislation that would raise the Medicare physician payment rate with an annual, inflation-related payment increase based on 100% of the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) growth rate.

On March 15, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) recommended that Congress increase the 2024 Medicare payment rate above current law with an inflation-based payment update based on one-half of the MEI growth rate. But, in a letter to congressional leaders sent the same day, the AMA, the ISMA and other organizations said the recommended update should be tied to 100% of the MEI growth rate to cover true practice costs.

Read the letter >>