The proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services risks pushing independent orthopaedic practices toward consolidation into larger health systems. AAOS leadership asserts that this shift typically results in higher costs, reduced patient choice, and longer wait times. By failing to account for the rising expenses of operating a medical practice, the agency risks creating a scenario where small, community-based clinics can no longer remain viable.
In section Releases
Orthopaedic Surgeons Fight Proposed CMS Payment Cuts
The American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) is demanding a freeze on the 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, warning that proposed reimbursement cuts will destabilize independent practices. The organization argues these reductions threaten patient access to musculoskeletal care for over 70 million Medicare beneficiaries across the United States.
Dr. Wilford K. Gibson, president of the AAOS, stated that the agency cannot continue eroding physician payments while expecting patient access to remain unchanged. The association is urging regulators to maintain 2026 payment values while engaging in a collaborative effort to develop a more sustainable reimbursement framework. Joel L. Mayerson, chair of the AAOS Advocacy Council, emphasized that the policy undervalues the clinical work required to manage complex musculoskeletal conditions, prioritizing administrative assumptions over the professional judgment of surgeons.
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