Proposed Medicare Cuts May Increase Joint Surgery Wait Times

A potential 20% reduction in surgeon reimbursement for 2027 could lead to longer waits for hip and knee replacements.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Arthritis

Proposed Medicare Cuts May Increase Joint Surgery Wait Times

Live Poll

Will proposed Medicare reimbursement cuts significantly increase wait times for surgeries by January 2027?

Medicare may reduce surgeon reimbursement rates for joint replacement procedures by 20% in 2027. If approved, these changes could extend wait times for patients needing hip and knee replacements to several months.

Why it matters

The proposal aims to modernize payments and reflect shorter recovery times, but physician groups warn the change could strain access to care. Patients may face significant hurdles in scheduling elective orthopedic surgeries if the cut is finalized.

The CMS proposal builds on a prior 7.5% cut enacted in 2026, targeting a total 20% reduction in surgeon fees. While current wait times average 4 to 6 weeks, projections suggest these could lengthen to four or five months should the new reimbursement structure be adopted.

The players

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

A federal agency that administers Medicare and oversees health coverage policy.

American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons

A professional society of surgeons focused on advancing the care of patients undergoing hip and knee replacements.

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

A medical organization representing orthopedic surgeons and dedicated to musculoskeletal health.

American Medical Association

A national organization that promotes public health and sets standards for the medical profession.

The details

CMS suggests these rate changes will align financial incentives with improved patient outcomes and reduced total costs. Surgeons rely on these reimbursement fees to manage high overhead expenses and clinical staffing salaries. By lowering payments, the agency intends to account for advancements in surgical efficiency that have enabled shorter recovery periods for patients nationwide.

A 7.5% cut to surgical reimbursements took effect in 2026.
The public comment period for the proposal closed on September 14, 2026.
CMS is expected to issue a final decision on November 1, 2026.
The proposed 20% reduction is scheduled to take effect January 1, 2027.

Health Landscape

This move reflects the ongoing evolution of the 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule as CMS seeks to balance fiscal efficiency with surgical access. It follows a tightening trend in reimbursement policy that challenges the current standard of care for elective orthopedic procedures.

If you are planning a joint replacement, discuss current scheduling trends with your surgeon to understand if local wait times are shifting. Patients should monitor the final ruling on November 1, 2026, as it may impact the availability of elective orthopedic procedures in the coming year.

The takeaway

The proposed fee changes reflect an agency-wide push to modernize how Medicare pays for efficient surgical recovery. Patients concerned about potential delays in care should consult their physicians to discuss the timing of upcoming joint replacement procedures.

What happens next

CMS is scheduled to release a final decision on the proposed 20% reimbursement reduction on November 1, 2026, which will clarify whether the new rates will take effect on January 1, 2027.