During their most recent meeting on January 16, 2025, the Medicare Payment Advisory Committee (MedPAC) unanimously voted to send a recommendation to Congress that would increase payments to physicians under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). In the recommendation, MedPAC suggests that the 2026 yearly physician payment update should be linked to the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) less one percentage point. Using this formula would result in a 1.3% increase in physician payment. MedPAC is also proposing to establish safety net payments for those clinicians treating low-income Medicare beneficiaries.  

SCAI continues to lobby Congress to reverse the 2.8% payment cut in the 2025 physician fee schedule.