Mangrove Management Partners (MMP), its affiliate The Vascular Care Group (TVCG), and American Vascular Associates (AVA) today thanked the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), MedPAC, and Dr. Mehmet Oz and his leadership team for steps in the CY 2026 Physician Fee Schedule that help sustain and strengthen office-based procedural care—continuing to expand rural healthcare, patient access and deliver high-quality outcomes at lower cost for critical needs.

The organizations applauded CMS for recognizing the need to reduce site-of-service payment disparities and for developing sensible measures to reverse irrational cuts implemented by the prior administration, which had a disproportionate negative impact on office-based services with high supply and equipment costs.

Key Highlights from the Final Rule

• No implementation of changes based on 2024 PPI survey data, which would have resulted in approximately 15% draconian cuts to office-based care.
• Reallocating funds for indirect costs already paid through other means in the facility setting and attributing them to practice expense RVUs (peRVUs) across the entire Physician Fee Schedule.
• Reversing the trend of seemingly unintended consequences from prior CMS administrations, which resulted in CPT codes with high supply and equipment costs being disproportionately reduced by CMS’s own cost estimates; over 300 codes were reimbursed below their direct costs.
• Focusing this rule, and committing future rules, to more accurate, up-to-date values and information.
• Addressing the increasing disparity in payments between sites of service and working to move care to the most cost-efficient and high-quality service location.

While CMS is responsible for setting payments, MedPAC—an independent congressional agency that advises Congress and policymakers on Medicare payment, access, and quality—has thoughtfully advocated for site-neutral policies and continues to put forward sensible ideas for reform.

Mark Rowe, CEO of Mangrove Management Partners, said:

“We commend CMS, Dr. Oz, and his leadership team for listening to independent practices and taking action on policies that are good for patients and aimed at lowering costs. They recognize the value of office-based care, and the important changes in the final rule protect access for patients, ensure fairness across sites of service, and reinforce the vital role office-based providers play in delivering high-quality, cost-effective care nationwide.

Furthermore, we appreciate MedPAC and their openness to listen to healthcare providers and thoughtfully consider reforms that are good for patients, communities, and providers.”

Michael Licata, CEO and Janet Dees, CEO Emeritus of American Vascular Associates, added:

“This rule reflects a thoughtful, data-driven approach by CMS. By aligning reimbursement with actual costs and focusing on accuracy and equity, policymakers are supporting the very model of care that achieves the best outcomes at the lowest cost. The result of the final rule validates the professionalism and objectivity of CMS and MedPAC and we applaud their big-picture thinking.”

About Mangrove Management Partners and The Vascular Care Group

Founded in 2020, Mangrove Management Partners (MMP) is the management affiliate of The Vascular Care Group and Vascular Breakthroughs, forming a fully integrated platform spanning clinical care, management services, and research. MMP partners with vascular surgeons and health systems to expand access to high-quality, cost-effective vascular care in the community, addressing the national shortage of vascular specialists and hospital capacity constraints. Based in Burlington, MA, MMP operates fourteen offices including eight full-service vascular centers in Massachusetts, Maine, and Connecticut, combining proven clinical outcomes with proprietary data and technology systems that drive efficiency, innovation, and patient satisfaction. www.mangrovemp.com & www.TheVascularCareGroup.com

About American Vascular Associates

American Vascular Associates provides strategic support to outpatient vascular centers across the country, including clinical operations, staffing, marketing, credentialing, compliance, revenue cycle management, and physician engagement. Through collaborative partnerships, AVA helps centers grow their reach, streamline workflows, and elevate patient outcomes—without compromising their independence. For more information about AVA and its national network of affiliated vascular centers, visit www.americanvascular.com.

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