Seniors' Access to Orthopaedic Care at Risk in Medicare Cuts

BETHESDA, Md., Oct. 14, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed a 1.68% cut to Medicare physician payments for 2027, which would be again on January 1, 2027. For some of the procedures seniors need most, the cut goes much deeper. According to The OrthoForum, a national organization of physician-led orthopaedic practices, the proposed rule would reduce physician payment for total hip and knee replacement surgery by approximately 20%.

These cuts come at a critical time, as the United States is already facing a growing shortage of physicians and the cost of providing care continues to rise. The Association of American Medical Colleges projects that the country could face a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036, driven in part by a growing and aging population and a significant portion of the physician workforce approaching retirement age. At the same time, the American Medical Association reports that physician practice costs rose 59% between 2001 and 2025, while Medicare physician payment fell 33% after adjusting for inflation.

The proposed cuts threaten seniors' access to timely, local orthopaedic care, as they risk making it even more difficult for physicians to provide the care seniors need. For older adults, a hip or knee replacement can be what allows them to walk without pain, stay active, and continue living independently. Yet, the proposed Medicare cuts come at a time when the nation is already facing a growing shortage of physicians, and the cost of providing care continues to rise.

Further reducing Medicare reimbursement as demand for physicians grows risks placing even greater strain on medical practices and the physician workforce. For seniors, that could ultimately mean fewer physicians available to treat Medicare patients, longer waits for appointments, and fewer options for receiving care close to home.

The Patients First Act (H.R. 9693) is a bipartisan solution already before Congress. It would permanently tie Medicare physician payment updates to inflation, addressing the recurring cycle of payment cuts and temporary congressional fixes and helping protect seniors' continued access to physician care. The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics is dedicated to advocating for the patients they are proud to serve and encourages patients, families, and physicians to make their voices heard by contacting their federal representatives.

Resources are available through The OrthoForum, including: - A patient outreach campaign to quickly contact your federal representatives and urge them to protect patients' access to care by addressing Medicare physician payment cuts. - A sample letter to Congress that can be personalized and sent to members of Congress. - A guide to find and contact your representative, including how to be connected directly to their office and share your views on H.R. 9693.