On July 14, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) proposed rule for CY 2026 (CMS-1832-P). This rule updates payment policies and payment rates for Part B services furnished under the MPFS, as well as makes changes to the Quality Payment Program (QPP). The AUA submitted comments on the proposed rule on September 12.

Related: View the AUA’s Summary on the proposed rule for the CY 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule

AUA’s comment letter specifically addresses the following:

• Conversion Factor Update
• Proposed Valuation of Specific Codes for CY 2026
• Updates to the Practice Expense (PE) Data Collection and Methodology
• and Updates to the PE Methodology
• Proposed Efficiency Adjustment
• Strategies for Improving Global Surgery Payment Accuracy
• Software As A Service (Saas) and Artificial Intelligence Tools
• Quality Payment Program Proposed Provisions

The AUA urged CMS to address payment cuts as urologists manage rising practice costs, including clinical salaries, supplies, and equipment. We emphasized the importance of valuing urology-specific codes and thanked the agency for accepting most of the RUC's recommendations on work, Practice Expense (PE), and relative value units (RVUs). AUA members participated in the RUC survey to support these values, and the AUA encourages CMS to finalize them. AUA leaders and staff also met with CMS on September 5 to discuss policies related to the fee schedule conversion factor, indirect PE, proposed efficiency adjustments, and global surgical package values.