The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule on July 14, and the Academy needs PM&R physicians to advocate for the specialty in the face of several policy changes that CMS has recommended for the Medicare program.
This proposed rule contains payment, policy, and quality program changes that would go into effect for the Medicare program starting on January 1, 2026, including several policies which would significantly impact physiatry. CMS is proposing to implement a new “efficiency adjustment” for 2026, which will reduce the value of certain procedures. A new methodology for practice expense calculation was also proposed, which has the potential to negatively impact physiatrists performing facility-based services.
Your Academy is currently drafting official comments in response to this proposed rule on behalf of PM&R physicians, but we need your help ahead of the September 12 deadline for submitting comments on this proposal.
Click here to learn more about the Academy-provided resources for drafting and submitting comments to CMS on the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.