New legislation aims to address CMS 'efficiency adjustment' and protect access to surgical care

AAOS is continuing to lead the charge against significant reductions to work Relative Value Units (RVUs) included in Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) CY2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) final rule.

Thanks to our efforts over the last several weeks, raising this issue with champions on Capitol Hill, Representatives Ron Estes (R-KS) and Tom Suozzi (D-NY) just introduced bipartisan legislation, the Efficiency Adjustment Delay Act (H.R. 7520), to pause implementation of the CMS efficiency adjustment and require a study of surgical efficiency and the real-world impacts of this policy.

It only takes a minute. Please click below to send your representative a pre-drafted letter urging them to cosponsor the Efficiency Adjustment Delay Act.

Unless Congress steps in, the 2.5% reduction to procedural work RVUs that took effect on Jan.1 will continue indefinitely every three years. This cut will directly harm both private practice surgeons and those with employment contracts tied to total or work RVUs, and it threatens patient access to timely musculoskeletal care.

A quick message from you can make the difference in securing cosponsors and building momentum to stop these cuts. Thank you for helping protect access to high-quality surgical care for Medicare patients.

Click here to access online materials and send your representative a letter in support of H.R. 7520.

Joel L. Mayerson, MD, FAAOS, is interim Advocacy Council chair, American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons.