On Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released their 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program final rule. The AAFP released this statement with an initial reaction. 

The AAFP appreciates CMS' continued focus on implementing policies that will better support Medicare beneficiaries' access to longitudinal, comprehensive primary care. This includes allowing the G2211 add-on code for outpatient office visits to be billed on the same day as an annual wellness visit, vaccine administration or any Medicare Part B preventive services.

The AAFP is also pleased CMS finalized the new Advanced Primary Care Management (APCM) codes for 2025. These new codes are an important step toward achieving hybrid primary care payment within the framework of traditional Medicare. However, serious reforms to the fee schedule are needed to meaningfully implement prospective, sustainable payment for primary care.

The Academy is deeply concerned that the finalized reduction of 2.8% to the Medicare conversion factor will result in untenable payment cuts for all physicians. This reiterates the urgent need for Congress to prioritize the advancement of much-needed, long-term reforms to Medicare's outdated physician payment system. AAFP will continue to advocate for the implementation of an annual inflationary update and relief from arbitrary budget neutrality requirements that hamstring CMS' ability to appropriately pay for all the services a beneficiary needs. AAFP looks forward to working with Congress to champion primary care and protect patients' access to the comprehensive, longitudinal, high-value primary care they need.

AAFP staff is currently reviewing the 3,000-page rule, and a more detailed summary will be shared with chapters in the weeks to come.

Please don't hesitate to contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Sr. Manager, State Affairs and Member Advocacy, if you have any questions.