Medicare Payment Update: Linking Doctor Fees to Economic Index Starting 2026.
This law changes how doctors who treat Medicare patients are paid, starting in 2026. It introduces a mechanism that automatically adjusts physician payments based on the Medicare Economic Index (MEI), which tracks the costs of running a medical practice. This change aims to ensure that doctors' compensation keeps pace with inflation, potentially improving access to care for beneficiaries.
Key points
Starting in 2026, Medicare payments to doctors will automatically increase based on the estimated rise in the Medicare Economic Index (MEI).
The law establishes a single, standardized payment calculation factor to stabilize reimbursement rates for physicians treating Medicare patients.
Introduced
Citizen Poll