The American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons penned a Nov. 16 letter thanking eight members of Congress for sponsoring a bill that would mitigate Medicare cuts set to go into effect in 2021.
Sixty-four musculoskeletal practices and societies have shown their support for the Holding Providers Harmless from Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act of 2020.
The bill would allow CMS' planned reimbursement cuts to take effect while offering a relief payment to surgeons in 2021 and 2022 as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
Orthopedic practices are struggling to treat patient backlogs amid increasing demand for operating room time and rising COVID-19 infection rates, AAOS President Joseph Bosco, MD, wrote in the letter.
Orthopedic surgeons are key in "safeguarding musculoskeletal health, treating bone cancers, chronic mobility problems, workplace injuries and other pressing conditions," Dr. Bosco wrote. "It is essential that access to these services by the American public remain."
"Now is not the time to limit access to this essential care through destabilizing cuts to Medicare," he added.