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Advocacy News

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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Ophthalmologist Raj Maturi, MD, with a patient in his clinic.
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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.

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July 19, 2023
CMS Proposes 2.8% Pay Increase for Hospital Outpatient, ASC Settings

About 3,500 hospitals and 6,000 ambulatory surgical centers (ASC) that perform ophthalmic procedures would be affected by the proposed pay hike.  

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July 5, 2023
Academy to House: Recognize Importance of Medicare Payment Reform

We are working with Congress to fix Medicare’s broken payment system, highlighting the need to fix a physician payment program that fails to account for inflation and increasing practice costs.

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June 21, 2023
HHS and MedPAC Reports Encourage Significant Changes to Part B Drug Payment

HHS and MedPAC Reports Encourage Significant Changes to Part B Drug Payment The Academy is monitoring congressional reaction to these reports given that the recommendations would impact ophthalmologists.

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May 31, 2023
Academy Pushes Medicare Contractors to Expand Coverage for Botulinum Toxin

Members reported to the Academy and ASOPRS that prior authorization requests have been denied for medically necessary injections into the brow and corrugator/procerus muscles to treat blepharospasm.

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May 24, 2023
Academy Meets With Aetna on Prior Authorization Reforms

Florida and Georgia state societies joined the Academy in driving home the burdens of prior authorization.

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May 24, 2023
Surgical Scope Fund: Together We Champion Patient Safety

Your investment is crucial in helping us preserve quality eye care for patients and ensure that surgery is done by surgeons.

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May 23, 2023
Cigna Hits Brakes on Burdensome Modifier -25 Policy

Cigna’s action means that providers will not have to submit medical records to comply with the insurer’s now-delayed policy.

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May 17, 2023
Academy Renews Call for CMS to Restore Global Payment Equity

The latest meeting to challenge payment of global period post-operative visits stressed the complexity of medical decision-making.

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May 17, 2023
Medicare Advantage Overtakes Traditional Medicare Enrollment

In a historic development, the majority of all eligible Medicare beneficiaries are now covered through a Medicare Advantage plan rather than a traditional fee-for-service Medicare program.

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April 26, 2023
Cigna Delays Modifier -25 Documentation Requirements After Academy-Led Coalition Meeting

After sharing how this burdensome new policy will harm practices and patients, the insurer agreed to delay the requirement’s effective start date.