Advocacy News

AAO 2026 is a great time to delve into the Academy's advocacy efforts and meet those who are making a difference in federal and state legislation. Whether you stop by the OPHTHPAC® and Safe Surgery Action Fund (formerly the Surgical Scope Fund) booths to learn about our work, join us at our reception, or attend one of our advocacy sessions, we’re looking forward to seeing you this year in New Orleans. All sessions are in Central Time.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has introduced a new pilot program requiring prior authorization (PA) for fee-for-service Medicare for certain services in ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs).

With the help of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the Outpatient Ophthalmic Surgery Society, and the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society, the Academy has persuaded the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to delay the start of the prior authorization (PA) pilot in ambulatory surgical centers.

The Academy is pushing for a delay in implementation for the pilot, scheduled to start on Dec. 15.

What you need to know about CMS’ plan to expand prior authorization for some ambulatory surgical center services in 10 states.

The law streamlines the prior authorization process through electronic systems, reducing delays and administrative burdens for Alaska physicians and patients.

Act Now. Urge your Congress members to co-sponsor this widely bipartisan, commonsense bill to help patients get the care they need.  

The “gold card” program would exempt certain practices from prior authorization requirements.

The Academy and ASRS are working to minimize step therapy burdens by calling on Aetna to add Izervay to its 2025 Medicare Advantage Part B preferred drug list.

A Surgical Scope Fund Committee member and former OPHTHPAC committee member explains how your contributions drive the Academy’s advocacy efforts.