Advocacy News

The Montana House of Representatives voted to pass HB 218 that will permit optometrist to perform scalpel eyelid and laser eye surgery including YAG capsulotomy, selective laser trabeculoplasty, and peripheral iridotomy.

New bills were introduced in Minnesota and Ohio that would expand optometrists' ability to prescribe ophthalmic medications to patients and to perform scalpel eyelid and laser eye surgery.

Our comments support CMS’ plans to reform utilization management and recommend the agency adopt additional measures in its final rule to ensure access to medically necessary care.

This new reporting option is available for voluntary reporting for the 2025 MIPS performance year/2027 payment year.

The congressionally mandated advisory commission’s unanimous vote to recommend a single-year positive update to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule connected to the projected increase in the Medicare Economic Index bolsters our position as we push Congress to address the Medicare 2025 pay cuts that went into effect on Jan. 1.  

Mary Lawrence, MD, was invited by newly elected Rep. Kelly Morrison, MD, D-Minn., to swearing-in day of the 119th Congress. She shares her experience of seeing first-hand how your OPHTHPAC investments build relationships with lawmakers and other medical societies.

The FDA announcement removing restrictions on corneal tissue donations from men who have had sex with other men came after five years of Academy advocacy, led by pediatric ophthalmologist Michael A. Puente Jr., MD, FAAP.  

WPS accepted the Academy’s recommendation to correct its cataract surgery billing and coding article in response to denials of CPT 66982 billed with mature cataracts.

UnitedHealthcare and Humana responded to our Oct. 31 letters alerting payers of access issues for compounded Avastin. Practices should note the national shortage when requesting prior authorization for another drug.

Congress has recessed and left Washington, D.C., for the year without addressing the impending cuts to Medicare payment, set to take effect Jan. 1, 2025, putting patient’s access to sight-saving care at risk.