Advocacy News

Dozens of medical associations are joining the Academy and AMA to oppose a plan that could delay patients’ necessary treatments  

Academy Secretary for Federal Affairs George Williams, MD, discusses what the Academy is doing to support retina physicians, particularly related to use of modifier -25. He also offered some perspective in the context of the recent Office of the Inspector General report.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services opened its database this week for the public to view payments physicians and teaching hospitals received from manufacturers and group purchasing organizations. This open data is mandated under the Sunshine Act, which is a federal government transparency initiative required by the Affordable Care Act.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services launched the Open Payments review and dispute process July 14. It will remain open until Aug. 27. This 45-day period, which is required by provisions in the Sunshine Act, allows physicians to use their Enterprise Portal credentials to access the Open Payments System to review and dispute data submitted by applicable manufacturers and group purchasing organizations prior to public posting Sept. 30.