If your compensation is tied to work RVUs, we urge you to stand with the SVS in opposing CMS’s planned reductions.

On October 31, 2025, CMS released the CY2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) final rule, which will implement a new “work efficiency adjustment” that would decrease work RVUs and intra-service time by 2.5% for all non–time-based codes starting in 2026, with further cuts anticipated every three years.

CMS claims this reflects reduced physician time and effort due to increased procedural experience. However, recent findings in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons show that from 2019 to 2023, 90% of operative times remained the same or increased, and patient complexity has grown. The adjustment would apply evenly to codes recently revalued or under review, while exempting evaluation and management (E/M) services—despite similar efficiency trends. SVS strongly opposed the proposal in its formal comments to CMS, and is deeply concerned about the policy’s impact now that it has been finalized.

This policy could significantly reduce surgeon compensation and restrict access to surgical care, especially for vulnerable populations. Congressional intervention is now necessary before the January 1 implementation.

Please take a few seconds to contact your members of Congress and alert them to this critical issue today!