Contact: Katie Glenn, kglenn@acc.org ,

WASHINGTON (Nov 01, 2022) -

The American College of Cardiology and Heart Rhythm Society have issued the following statement on the 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule:

“While the changes the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) made in response to feedback from the American College of Cardiology (ACC), Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), members of Congress, and other stakeholders are appreciated, ACC and HRS remain disappointed that the agency did not go further in amending the proposed cuts for key electrophysiology ablation services to reflect higher values derived within the established AMA/Specialty Society RVS Update Committee (RUC) survey process, recognizing the high degree of skill and lengthy period of training required to perform these complex services, the enhanced safety despite increasingly sick patients, improved quality outcomes, and greater clinical value.  These ongoing cuts, as well as structural cuts to all Medicare services, continue to threaten patient access to important, high value cardiovascular services and underscore the need for not just short-term fixes, but long-term overarching reimbursement reform.”

American College of Cardiology

Edward T.A. Fry, MD, FACC, President

Heart Rhythm Society

Andrew Krahn, MD, FHRS, President

About the American College of Cardiology

The American College of Cardiology envisions a world where innovation and knowledge optimize cardiovascular care and outcomes. As the professional home for the entire cardiovascular care team, the mission of the College and its more than 56,000 members is to transform cardiovascular care and to improve heart health. The ACC bestows credentials upon cardiovascular professionals who meet stringent qualifications and leads in the formation of health policy, standards and guidelines. The College also provides professional medical education, disseminates cardiovascular research through its world-renowned JACC Journals, operates national registries to measure and improve care, and offers cardiovascular accreditation to hospitals and institutions. For more, visit acc.org.

About the Heart Rhythm Society

The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) is a 501(c)(3) international nonprofit organization and the preeminent leader in science, education, and advocacy for cardiac arrhythmia professionals and patients. HRS continues to be the primary information resource on heart rhythm disorders with a mission to improve the care of patients by promoting research, education, and optimal health care policies and standards, and a mission to eliminate death and suffering due to heart rhythm disorders. Incorporated in 1979 and based in Washington, D.C., it has a membership of more than 7,500 heart rhythm professionals in more than 90 countries around the world. For more information, visit www.HRSonline.org.

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