If your compensation is tied to work RVUs, we urge you to stand with the SVS in opposing CMS’s cut to work RVUs in their recent 'efficiency adjustment'.

On October 31, 2025, CMS finalized the CY2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) rule, which implemented 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 on our members now that it has been finalized.

Ultimately, this policy reduces surgeon compensation and restricts access to surgical care, especially for vulnerable populations. 

Fortunately, on February 12, 2026, Reps. Ron Estes (R-KS) and Tom Suozzi (D-NY) introduced legislation to rectify this cut, H.R. 7520, the "Efficiency Adjustment Delay Act". The SVS was instrumental in crafting the bill text. Now, we must urge all members of Congress to support this legislation and pass it ASAP.

Please take a few seconds to contact your members of Congress and urge them to support the "Efficiency Adjustment Delay Act" today!