Because the President and Congress were not able to reach an agreement to avoid the sequester, across-the-board budget cuts will go into effect March 1, 2013. The sequester includes a 2% reduction in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. Physicians will catch a slight break because, by law, mandatory cuts to Part A and B of Medicare cannot be implemented less than 30 days from the date the order is issued. Thus – unless further action is taken – provider payments will see the 2% cut on April 1, 2013.
