I write to you today regarding a matter of great urgency to Medicare professionals and their
patients in Montana. As you know, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has
issued proposed payment policies for evaluation and management (E/M) services in the
Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) for 2021. While this proposal includes several
positive attributes, many practitioners in Montana will face substantial Medicare payment cuts
beginning on January 1, 2021. In light of the ongoing pandemic, I urge you to include provisions
that will extend relief to providers slated to experience cuts related to CMS' E/M policies in
legislation before the end of the year.
I have heard from Montanans that these payment cuts will further strain our state's health care
system and practitioners already stressed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and could also jeopardize
patient access to medically necessary services over the long-term. I stand ready to work with
you to prevent these harmful cuts and support Montana's physicians and other health care
professionals who are on the frontlines of this pandemic to continue ensuring Montanans across
the state can access necessary medical services.
Thank you for your attention to this critical matter and for your continued leadership during this
public health crisis.