U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess, MD (R-Lewisville), says he can predict with “95-percent certitude” that “no cuts will happen” to physicians’ Medicare payments next year. Under current law, the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula mandates a 27.4-percent cut on Jan. 1. Only Congress can stop it.

Speaking via a Skype video call from his Capitol office, Dr. Burgess told physicians attending the TMA Advocacy Retreat earlier this month that he expects Congress will intervene at the last hour, again, and stop the cuts for two years and perhaps approve a small increase, while efforts to find a permanent SGR replacement continue. He said he does not expect a permanent fix this year.