House Passes Medicare Fee Schedule Freeze for 2006

A little after 5:00pm eastern on Wednesday, February 1, 2006, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Senate-passed Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (aka budget reconciliation bill) containing a freeze of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2006 at 2005 rates.  As a result, Medicare fees to physicians will not be cut by more than 4 percent during the current year.  The legislation passed narrowly by at vote of 216-214 with 3 members not voting.  The measure is expected to be signed into law by the President.