Join NCMS at Half-Price Through August
Through the end of August, new and returning members can join at 50% off annual membership dues. Membership purchased during this promotion is valid through December 31, 2026.
Healthcare continues to change rapidly. Physicians and physician assistants (PAs) need practical support, trusted partnerships, and a strong statewide community working together to improve the practice environment for everyone.
That’s exactly what NCMS is working to advance.
Every day, we work to reduce administrative burdens, advocate for better policies, support practice sustainability, strengthen North Carolina’s healthcare workforce, and bring physicians and PAs together to address challenges that no single practice or health system can solve alone.
Your membership helps make this work possible.
When you join NCMS, you’re investing in a stronger future for medicine in North Carolina while gaining access to:
- A statewide network of physician and PA colleagues
- Timely advocacy updates through the Weekly Dose newsletter, Political Pulse podcast and Tar Heel Practice & Payer blog
- Leadership and professional development opportunities
- Practical resources to support you throughout your career
If you’ve been thinking about joining or renewing, there’s never been a better time. Take advantage of this limited-time offer and become part of a community that is working every day to strengthen the future of medicine in North Carolina.
Offer ends August 31.
CMS Proposes Another Medicare Payment Cut for Physicians in 2027
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the proposed 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS), outlining payment and policy changes that would take effect on January 1, 2027. While the proposal includes several initiatives intended to modernize Medicare payment and expand value-based care, it also continues a troubling trend: another reduction in Medicare physician payments. This week, we’ll highlight the physician fee schedule. Next week we’ll address other areas physicians should have on their radar.
Under the proposed rule, qualifying clinicians participating in Advanced Alternative Payment Models (APMs) would see a 1.19% payment reduction, while all other physicians would face a 1.68% decrease beginning January 1, 2027. Although the reductions may seem small, they come as physician practices continue to face rising costs for staffing, supplies, technology, and regulatory compliance. Continued payment instability creates additional pressure on practices already working to meet growing patient demand, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
The proposal underscores a challenge physicians have faced for years: Medicare payment updates continue to fall short of the actual cost of delivering care. Without long-term physician payment reform from Congress, practices will continue to face difficult financial decisions that could affect patient access.
The proposed rule is open for public comment through September 14, 2026, before CMS issues the final rule later this fall.
If you would like to submit a comment, go to the proposed rule and click on SUBMIT A PUBLIC COMMENT.
Additional Resources
- CMS Press Release
- Physician Payment Schedule Fact Sheet
- Medicare Shared Savings Program Fact Sheet
- Quality Payment Program (QPP) Fact Sheet
Introducing NCMS Rounds
At NCMS, we know that understanding our healthcare community starts with listening. That’s why we’re launching NCMS Rounds, a new video series built around your questions, thoughts, and concerns.
Whether it’s a timely issue affecting the practice of medicine or a broader question about advocacy, membership, or practice resources, your feedback will help shape future segments featuring NCMS staff responding to the topics that matter most to our healthcare community.
First, let’s talk about downcoding. Provide your questions and thoughts to NCMS in the below survey.
Have a question or idea that’s not about downcoding? We’d love to hear that, too. In the same survey below there’s space to share general questions, concerns, or topics you’d like NCMS to address.
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