Comment on CMS-2026-2377-0002

The ALS Association appreciates the opportunity to provide feedback on the CY 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule. People living with ALS face a disease that does not wait. Because ALS is rapidly progressive, delays in access to medically necessary care can result in irreversible loss of function, independence, and quality of life. The ALS Association appreciates CMS's efforts to strengthen longitudinal care, telehealth, care coordination, remote monitoring, advance care planning, and innovative models of care. We encourage CMS to continue advancing policies that support timely access to medically necessary services, reduce unnecessary administrative barriers, and recognize the value of multidisciplinary, specialty-led care. Most importantly, Medicare policy should support the clinical judgment of the physicians and multidisciplinary care teams who treat people living with ALS. These clinicians are best positioned to determine the timing and delivery of care, services, equipment, and treatments based on the unique needs of each person. For people living with ALS, coverage without timely access is not meaningful access. By reducing unnecessary barriers and ensuring that medically necessary care is available when it is needed, CMS can help people living with ALS maintain health, independence, dignity, and quality of life for as long as possible.