# Challenging the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Proposed Rule

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/aaos-now-podcast-1219022/challenging-the-medicare-physician-fee-schedule-mpfs-proposed-rule
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/aaos-now-podcast-1219022/challenging-the-medicare-physician-fee-schedule-mpfs-proposed-rule.md
Podcast: [AAOS Now Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/aaos-now-podcast-1219022)
Published: 2026-09-11T18:32:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.megaphone.fm/DHT2373845039.mp3
Audio file: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.megaphone.fm/DHT2373845039.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/aaos-now-podcast-1219022/episodes/challenging-the-medicare-physician-fee-schedule-mpfs-proposed-rule
Duration seconds: 1802

## Resource

This episode may include content about the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons, its advocacy efforts, and the Political Action Committee of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoPAC).  In this episode of the AAOS Now Podcast, host Doug Lundy, MD, MBA, FAAOS, sits down with Joel Mayerson, MD, FAAOS, Chair of the AAOS Advocacy Council to discuss the calendar year 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) proposed rule, which AAOS considers one of the most significant threats to orthopaedic practice in decades.  Dr. Mayerson explains why this moment is different from past fee schedule fights. He walks through the specific provisions driving AAOS’ concern, starting with the proposed 20 percent reduction in valuation for major arthroplasty codes, including total knee, total hip, and total shoulder arthroplasty, as well as shoulder hemiarthroplasty. He also details a proposed change to the Modifier 25 payment policy that would reduce reimbursement when an evaluation and management service and a procedure happen on the same day. This is followed by a discussion of proposed changes to practice expense RVU calculations. Throughout the episode, Dr. Mayerson emphasizes that these policies will have devastating real-world consequences not only on orthopaedic surgeons, but on the patients they are committed to serving. He explains how independent and rural practices that aren’t able to absorb the additional costs will either close or be consolidated into large systems, leaving fewer options for patients; how Medicare beneficiaries could face longer waits and reduced access to care; and how without timely access to care, simple problems will progress to chronic or debilitating problems, leading to more ER visits and hospitalizations.  …

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## Transcript

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