News and views on the regulatory, legislative, and political issues impacting ophthalmology in Washington, D.C., and around the United States
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Featured News
2027 Fee Schedule Proposes Cutting Pay to Physicians by 1.68%
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released its proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2027. Here are the highlights based on the Academy’s analysis. The Academy will work with our advocacy partners to ensure finalized policies support our members and their patients.
New Coverage Policies for Medical Botulinum Toxin Injections Proposed
Regional Medicare administrators Novitas and First Coast Service Options on Oct. 10 proposed new coverage policies for medical botulinum toxin injections, which include injections for treatment of blepharospasm, strabismus, and hemifacial spasm.
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October 9, 2024
Academy Members Build Relationship With Key Senate Champion
Advocacy is built on relationships and OPHTHPAC, your Academy’s political action committee, is here to help you connect with your lawmakers.
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October 9, 2024
CMS Will Apply Automatic MIPS Exceptions for Practices Affected by Hurricanes Helene and Francine
The Oct. 10 announcement applies to specific counties in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Following sustained advocacy engagement with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Secretary Valerie Arkoosh and department staff, the Pennsylvania Academy of Ophthalmology won higher payment rates for numerous pediatric ophthalmology service codes in the state’s Medicaid program.
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October 2, 2024
Ophthalmologist Lawmaker Needs Your Support More than Ever
Ophthalmology’s top champion in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, MD, R-Iowa, urgently needs your support or she risks losing her reelection in what will prove to be a very close race.
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October 2, 2024
Final MIGS Medicare Coverage Improves on 2023 Policy Proposals
Persistent advocacy from our ophthalmology coalition has led to improvements in final MIGS Medicare coverage policies.
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October 2, 2024
Physician Candidate Sounds Alarm on Medicare Cuts at Exclusive OPHTHPAC Event
New Jersey state Assemblyman and candidate for New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional District, Herb Conaway, MD, issued a stark warning if Congress fails to address Medicare reimbursement cuts at the last OPHTHPAC speaker series event of the year.
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September 25, 2024
CMS Reopens 2023 MIPS Exception Applications for Practices Affected by Change Healthcare Cyberattack
Practices affected by the Change Healthcare cyberattack now have another opportunity to apply for an extreme and uncontrollable circumstances (EUC) exception for the 2023 performance year/2025 payment year of the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). Applications are open through Oct. 11, at 8 p.m. ET.
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September 18, 2024
Academy, AAPOS Meet With Aetna on Sensorimotor Exam Denials
The payer agreed that manual sensorimotor examinations should be covered. Practices submitting appeals must complete the rationale for appeal section carefully and provide adequate documentation.
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September 11, 2024
Academy Submits Comments on 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule
Our letter expressed concerns and provided recommendations for relevant proposals most likely to impact ophthalmology in the proposed 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.
