2024 Medicare Fee Schedule Resources Available, Medicare Payment Rates Declining in 2024 Without Congressional Action
December 15, 2023
ASHA's 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) resources for audiologists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are now available. The MPFS establishes Medicare Part B policies and payment rates for outpatient audiology and speech-language pathology services. ASHA’s resources include a thorough analysis of 2024 policy changes and revisions, information to help audiologists and SLPs understand the MPFS, a variety of coding rules, and more.
In 2024, without Congressional intervention, audiologists and SLPs treating Medicare patients in outpatient settings are likely to see payment reductions as high as 10-12%. These reductions are due to a combination of requirements to control Medicare and federal spending, including a cut to the MPFS conversion factor. ASHA continues to advocate with Members of Congress to eliminate or mitigate these reductions, but members should prepare for the possibility these reductions will go into effect January 1, 2024. Although Congress has mitigated these cuts the past several years, policy and political dynamics may push potential action to next year, after the cuts take effect. ASHA will continue to monitor and provide updates as the situation evolves.
Take Action
With the end of the year looming, it is critically important ASHA members contact their Members of Congress to advocate for the elimination or mitigation of these payment reductions as soon as possible. You can review an issue brief [PDF] to better understand the issue before taking action by writing or calling your Members of Congress.
What’s Next?
Historically when Congress has not acted to prevent payment reductions prior to January 1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) instructs local Medicare contractors to hold claims for 14 days and then apply retroactive payment adjustments once the law is updated. Updates on the claims submission and payment logistics will be shared on ASHA’s Medicare webpage as they become available.
ASHA Resources
- 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for Audiologists [PDF]
- 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for Speech-Language Pathologists [PDF]
- Contact your Members of Congress and ask them to address the Medicare payment cuts.
Questions?
Email us at reimbursement@asha.org.
