Why I Am Concerned About Medicare and Skin Cancer Care
I am sounding the alarm. Access to timely skin cancer diagnosis and treatment is under threat. CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) is considering changes to the 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule that could make it harder for dermatologists to provide the close surveillance, prompt appointments, and same-day care that help us find skin cancer early.
I have seen what happens when that access is interrupted.
During COVID, many patients postponed skin examinations, biopsies, and treatment. When they returned, I saw cancers that were larger and more advanced than was typical, including melanomas and squamous cell carcinomas. Some required far more extensive treatment than they likely would have if found earlier.
Skin cancers are highly treatable when caught early. But early detection depends on regular examinations, close surveillance, and prompt biopsies.
The proposed Medicare changes put that care at risk. One provision would cut payment for the evaluation portion of a visit by 50% when a dermatologist also performs a procedure, such as a biopsy, that day.
The American Academy of Dermatology Association estimates that the combined changes could reduce dermatology reimbursement by approximately 11% in 2027, with deeper cuts to follow. This comes after more than two decades in which Medicare physician payment has already declined 33% when adjusted for inflation in practice costs.
Cuts of this size could force practices to limit the number of Medicare patients they see, leading to fewer appointments, longer waits, and less access to the close surveillance that saves lives.
I recently spent three days on Capitol Hill with dermatologists from across the country explaining to legislators what these changes could mean for patients. Policymakers also need to hear from you.
Please add your name to the Save Skin Cancer Care Community Statement and tell policymakers that patients need continued access to timely skin cancer detection and treatment.
– Maral Kibarian Skelsey, MD
