News and views on the regulatory, legislative, and political issues impacting ophthalmology in Washington, D.C., and around the United States
Image
Member exclusive - Locked
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.
House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee Seeks Answers on National Standards
The Academy joined a roundtable Wednesday morning with other stakeholders to answer questions from lawmakers on the development of national standards of care in Veterans Health Administration facilities.
Member exclusive - Locked
April 5, 2023
Final Medicare Advantage and Part D Rule Implements Academy Priorities
The 2024 rule implements reforms to Medicare Advantage plan coverage criteria requirements and to prior authorization that the Academy has supported.
Member exclusive - Locked
March 15, 2023
Veterans Groups Join Academy Call to Preserve Quality Eye Care
National veterans service organizations expressed their support for the Academy’s efforts to preserve quality surgical eye care in the Veterans Health Administration during annual congressional hearings.
Member exclusive - Locked
February 15, 2023
New Report Confirms Rising Prior Authorization Denials in Medicare Advantage Plans
The report from the Kaiser Family Foundation documents how Aetna uses prior authorizations to deny or delay medically necessary care.
This unusual move by MedPAC, which advises Congress, signals growing awareness of the need for Medicare payment reform.
Member exclusive - Locked
January 18, 2023
CMS Announces Timeline for Negotiated Medicare Drug Pricing
The key provision from the Inflation Reduction Act is not expected to affect ophthalmic drugs in the short term.
Member exclusive - Locked
December 7, 2022
CMS Released Proposed Rule That Could Ease Passage of Prior Authorization Reform Bill
We pushed CMS to release the rule, which would reduce the cost of this important bill to entice Senate action by the end of the year.
November 2, 2022
Academy Responds to Call for Medicare Physician Payment Reform Ideas
We shared several ideas on how to reform physician payment to address both the growing number of annual cuts you face and long-term stability for the Medicare system.
October 26, 2022
Academic Center Chairs Speak Up to Protect Quality Veteran Eye Care
Ophthalmology department chairs of several leading medical schools have sent letters to the VA undersecretary for health expressing concern for a recent change to community care guidelines.
October 19, 2022
Congress Presses VA Over Changes to Eye Surgery Safety Guidelines
Ophthalmologist and U.S. Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks sent a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs Under Secretary for Health expressing concern that the agency removed language from community care guidelines allowing only ophthalmologists to perform invasive procedures.
