With draconian 21% cuts to physician payments looming, the Senate took action late yesterday; approving H.R. 2 by an overwhelming majority (92-8), and permanently repealing the much-maligned Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR). While six amendments were considered, none survived, clearing the way for the President’s signature. President Obama has announced that he will sign the bill.

The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) replaces the SGR formula with statutorily prescribed physician payment updates and provisions that will accelerate progress toward physician-hospital integration.

While SGR has garnered the headlines, this comprehensive bill includes provisions of interest to hospitals, post-acute care providers, ambulance services, payors and many other health care industry stakeholders – this article provides an overview of some of the more noteworthy changes included in the MACRA legislation.