The Urgent Care Association (UCA) recently led a new effort that asks the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to include policies in the forthcoming FY 2025 Physician Fee Schedule that would encourage those covered by Medicare and Medicaid to seek non-emergent care at urgent care centers. A letter written by Ann Kuster (D-NH), Brad Schneider (D-IL), Darin LaHood (R-IL), and Michael Burgess (R- TX) that was signed by 26 members of Congress from both sides of the aisle asks CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure and other agency officials to provide details on relevant fee schedule policy options within 6 months. Members believe that utilization of urgent care can reduce costs and provide quality care, while also alleviating strain on emergency departments.
UCA advancing objectives: Since November, UCA has been working with lobbyists in Washington to ask members of Congress to sign this letter as the first step of UCA’s larger advocacy plan.