Preserving the long-term sustainability of cardiothoracic surgical practices is essential for ensuring that patients continue to have access to specialized care. The field faces an array of challenges—ranging from declining reimbursements to regulatory hurdles—that have been intensifying over the years. Tackling these issues requires vocal advocacy, long-term commitment, and collaborations with other healthcare stakeholders. STS strives to equip cardiothoracic surgeons with the necessary authority, resources, and support they need to deliver the highest standard of patient care.
Priorities
- Urge Reforms for Medicare Payments: Adjusted for inflation in practice costs, Medicare physician payment declined by over 30% from 2001-2025. STS advocacy helped mitigate these cuts, but significant reforms are needed to make Medicare reimbursements predictable and sustainable, including an annual inflation-based adjustment.
- Advocate for Effective Medicare Payment Models: Maximize cardiothoracic surgeon participation in value-based payment models and ensure appropriate measurement.
- Ensure Appropriate Coverage, Reimbursement, and Scope of Practice: Work with Medicare, private payers, and others to ensure that cardiothoracic procedures are covered and reimbursed appropriately.
- Make Telehealth Flexibilities Permanent: Collaborate with other stakeholders to retain telehealth flexibilities beyond 2025.
Endorsed Legislation
- H.R. 879: Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2025
- H.R. 783/S. 248: Sustainable Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Services in the Home Act
- H.R. 2433 the Reducing Medically Unnecessary Delays in Care Act of 2025
- Letter to Senate and House leaders regarding Telehealth
Resources
- Dear Colleague Letter to Leadership in the House of Representatives Urging Physician Payment Reform
- Checking-In on CMMI: Assessing the Transition to Value-Based Care
- STS Coding and Reimbursement Education and Help Desk
- Senate Finance Committee RFI on Physician Payment
- Physician’s Groups Response to the Continuing Resolution
- Letter to Congressional Leadership - Preserve Telehealth
- Coalition Letter on TTVR NCD
- 2026 Proposed Candidate MVPs and Existing MVP Maintenance Feedback
- Executive Shakeups and Potential Medicaid Cuts Put Healthcare in the Spotlight
- What Surgeons Need to Know About 90-Day Surgical Globals and Modifier -54