Medicare Advisers Back Payment Boost for Doctors, Hospitals

A prominent Medicare advisory panel voted Thursday to recommend that Congress increase Medicare payments in 2026 for hospitals, physicians, and other providers, but cut payments for nursing homes, home health agencies, and inpatient rehabilitation facilities.

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission provides Congress with analysis and policy advice on the Medicare program. Each year, the commission advises lawmakers on payment updates for a variety of care providers that treat Medicare beneficiaries.

The Medicare base payment rate for physicians and other health professional services would increase by 1.3% under the panel’s recommendation approved Thursday at its January meeting.

The recommended payment bump ...