For many Medicare patients, an office visit with an orthopaedic provider can include more than an evaluation. Depending on the diagnosis and treatment plan, a physician may be able to perform a medically necessary procedure—such as an injection—during that same appointment.
A proposed Medicare payment policy for 2027 could make providing certain procedures on the same day as an office visit more difficult. If implemented, the change could mean some patients would need to return for a separate appointment rather than receiving appropriate treatment during their initial visit.
At Texas Orthopaedic Associates, we believe patients should have access to timely, convenient care when medically appropriate. We want our Medicare patients to understand the proposed change, how it could affect their care, and how they can make their voices heard.
How Could This Medicare Change Affect Patients?
Requiring a separate appointment for a procedure that could otherwise be performed during the same visit may create several challenges for Medicare patients.
Increased costs. An additional appointment may mean another copay or coinsurance expense, as well as added costs for transportation and time away from work or other responsibilities.
Delayed treatment. Instead of receiving a medically appropriate procedure during the initial visit, patients may have to wait until another appointment can be scheduled.
Additional inconvenience and hardship. Returning to an orthopaedic office for another visit can be particularly difficult for patients with mobility limitations, transportation challenges, caregiving responsibilities, or those who travel a significant distance for specialty care.
Why Same-Day Orthopaedic Care Matters
When appropriate, being able to evaluate, diagnose, and treat a patient during the same visit can help make healthcare more efficient and convenient.
For example, an orthopaedic patient may be evaluated for a joint or musculoskeletal condition and, after discussing treatment options with their physician, determine that an injection or another office-based procedure is appropriate. Under the proposed policy, Medicare reimbursement changes could make providing that procedure during the same appointment more difficult.
The concern isn’t simply about convenience. Requiring an additional visit can introduce another barrier between a patient and the care recommended by their physician.
Medicare Patients Have an Opportunity to Comment
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is accepting public comments on the proposed 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.
The deadline to submit comments is September 14, 2026.
Patients who believe access to medically appropriate same-day care is important can submit comments to CMS and contact their elected federal representatives.
You can:
- Submit a public comment to CMS
- Contact U.S. Senator John Cornyn
- Contact U.S. Senator Ted Cruz
- Find and contact your U.S. Representative
Because congressional districts vary by home address—even within the same Dallas ZIP code—we recommend using the official U.S. House representative lookup to identify your correct representative.
Your Voice Matters
At Texas Orthopaedic Associates, our priority is providing timely, patient-centered orthopaedic care. We believe physicians and patients should be able to make treatment decisions based on what is medically appropriate while minimizing unnecessary barriers to care.
If preserving access to appropriate same-day care is important to you, we encourage you to learn more about the proposed Medicare changes and consider sharing your perspective with CMS and your elected representatives before September 14, 2026.
Click Here to Submit Comments to CMS
Click Here to Contact Senator John Cornyn
Click Here to Contact Senator Ted Cruz
Click Here to Find Your U.S. Representative
