ACC, HRS, and SCAI Concerned by LAAO Cuts, Despite Temporary Reimbursement Increases in Proposed Physician Fee Schedule
ACC, HRS, and SCAI News
WASHINGTON—The presidents of the American College of Cardiology, Heart Rhythm Society, and Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions made the following statement July 15th on the 2026 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services:
“The 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule jeopardizes Medicare beneficiary access to high-value cardiovascular services that keep patients healthy and lower overall health care costs. Cutting reimbursements for procedures that reduce strokes, such as the 27% in the proposed rule to transcatheter left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO), will only increase the risk of hospitalization and long-term disability for vulnerable patients. Indeed, stroke from atrial fibrillation is on the rise with the aging of our population, and LAAO procedures reduce stroke while eliminating blood thinners. Ensuring that clinicians have the necessary resources to provide these high-value services that also reduce the cost of long-term medications will both improve patient outcomes and stabilize Medicare payments.
The effect of this cut is mitigated by a 3.8% increase for qualifying alternative payment model (APM) participants and 3.3% for non-qualifying APM participants, including a 2.5% increase in reimbursement across the board for physician services for 2026 from the recent budget bill and a 2.5% decrease for most individual services that is redistributed as a positive update. This small reprieve follows years of conversion factor reductions. We stand ready to work with the Administration and Congress to address dramatic cuts to high-value procedures such as LAAO, and long-term Medicare payment issues to ensure that seniors maintain access to critical cardiovascular care.”
Christopher M. Kramer, MD, FACC
President, American College of Cardiology
Mina K. Chung, MD, FHRS
President, Heart Rhythm Society
Srihari S. Naidu, MD, MSCAI
President, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions
