Letter warns proposed payment changes could undermine patient access and accelerate practice consolidation 

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) issued its formal comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) today. The letter details orthopaedic surgeons' concerns and recommendations relating to the calendar year 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) proposed rule.

As CMS finalizes the PFS for CY 2027, AAOS is urging the agency to:

• Maintain CY 2026 work relative value units (RVUs) for total shoulder, total hip, and total knee arthroplasty services along with shoulder hemiarthroplasty
• Withdraw the proposed 50% reduction for separately identifiable same-day office or outpatient evaluation and management (E/M) and procedural services
• Refrain from finalizing additional practice-expense methodology changes without sufficient data and analysis of their impact on independent physician practices.

Proposed cuts, on top of years of inadequate payment updates, rising practice costs, and recent Medicare payment reductions, will make it increasingly difficult for independent orthopaedic practices to remain financially viable and provide timely, high-quality care to patients.

AAOS is taking coordinated action to protect independent practice, patient access and the future of orthopaedic care by working collaborating with policymakers on addressing the concerns of orthopaedic surgeons.  AAOS members have also spoken out, sharing over 5,000 letters with Congress and the agency on the proposed rule.

As noted by AAOS President Wilford Gibson, MD, FAAOS, in a recent interview with Becker's Spine Review, "This is one of the most dangerous and severe situations I've seen in the 30-plus years I've been in orthopaedic practice."

Read the full letter.

About AAOS 
The American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Office of Government Relations promotes and advocates the viewpoint of the orthopaedic community before federal and state legislative, regulatory and executive agencies. Based in Washington, D.C., with additional staff in the AAOS' headquarters in Rosemont, Illinois, the Office of Government Relations identifies, analyzes and directs all health policy activities and initiatives to position AAOS as the trusted leaders in advancing musculoskeletal health.

For more information on all AAOS advocacy efforts, visit www.aaos.org/advocacy/, and follow AAOS Advocacy on X and LinkedIn.

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SOURCE American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons