one visit
could become two

Under proposed rule CMS-1848-P, when your doctor examines you and performs a needed procedure on the same day, Medicare would pay full price for only the more expensive service. Payment for the other would be cut by 50%. Practices cannot absorb that cut, so the likely result is care getting split into two separate appointments. This is not just a dermatology problem. It hits nearly every doctor who treats patients on the spot: dermatology, orthopedics, ophthalmology, ENT, podiatry, and more, including pain management and family medicine. If your doctor can find a problem and fix it in the same visit, this rule affects you.

Because insurance companies typically follow Medicare's payment policies once they are finalized. Some have already tried similar cuts for same-day visits in the past, and backed off after patients and doctors pushed back. If this becomes official Medicare policy, other insurers have less reason to hold off. And if Medicare tax comes out of your paycheck, you are already contributing to the program, whether or not you are enrolled. Anyone can comment on a proposed federal rule. You do not have to be a Medicare patient, and you can comment anonymously if you prefer.

Yes. This rule would reduce what Medicare pays physicians for treating a problem during the same visit, and that includes us. It affects dermatology, orthopedics, ENT, podiatry, and many other specialties the same way.

The impact does not stop at physician payment. When practices cannot cover the cost of treating a problem the same day, that care gets scheduled across two appointments instead of one. Over time that means longer waits for appointments, more time between diagnosis and treatment, and added cost for patients. We are raising it because it changes how care is delivered, and patients are the ones who live with the result.

Yes. Medicare is legally required to review public comments and respond to significant issues before finalizing the rule. A nearly identical proposal in 2019 was dropped after public pushback. Comments are how that happens.

CMS, the federal agency that runs Medicare, writes and finalizes this rule. Congress does not vote on it. If you also want to share your view with your elected officials as a separate, optional step: Texas's U.S. Senators are John Cornyn and Ted Cruz. Central Texas is split across six U.S. House districts, so your representative depends on your address: Michael McCaul (TX-10), Pete Sessions (TX-17), Chip Roy (TX-21), John Carter (TX-31), Greg Casar (TX-35), or Lloyd Doggett (TX-37). Not sure which is yours? Find your U.S. Representative by ZIP code.

No. CMS-1848-P is a proposed rule. Medicare reviews public comments before issuing the final rule, which is exactly why commenting now matters.

No. The proposal changes how Medicare pays physicians for certain same-day services. It does not change your benefits or coverage.