Comment on CMS-2026-2377-0002
New MexicoOpposeIndividual
Summary: The commenter, likely an independent medical practitioner, opposes the reduction of the conversion factor. They argue that rising overhead costs for private practices are forcing providers to join large corporations, which they claim will increase costs for Medicare and Medicaid patients.
Why are you looking at reducing the conversion factor at this time. The cost of keeping independent practitioners offices open have increased so much this year. Employee salaries, cost of medical and office supplies, health insurance, utilities, electronic medical records, IT support, malpractice and liability insurances, ..... Being able to receive a pay check after paying your office expenses creates a problem to be able to pay your individual and family expenses. That is why many of the independent practitioners are choosing to close their practices and join large corporations that own hospital systems. That will increase the cost of providing care to Medicare and Medicaid patients. It is a vicious cycle that keeps repeating itself and the Congress and Senate continue to minimise the practices that provide excellent care and support the corporations that provide poor patient care and increase the costs to the patients and the country. It will never change unless there is a shift to supporting the private practices. We are loosing providers and nothing is being done about that.