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News on Prior Authorization Proposal
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There are important developments reflecting positive momentum to report on one of SVS’ legislative priorities, House Resolution 3107, the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act of 2019.
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This legislation, which aims to reduce the burden of restrictive prior authorization policies under Medicare Advantage plans, continues to accumulate congressional co-sponsors and has gained the support of an important congressional committee.
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As a result of SVS advocacy and efforts by our colleagues in the medical community, HR 3107 now has more than 100 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives. SVS members are urged to continue to put pressure on their representatives to co-sponsor HR 3107 if they have not yet done so. To see the current list of co-sponsors, click here.
A significant boost recently created additional momentum. The House Small Business Committee announced its strong support for the bill as a result of a hearing the committee held, Utilization Management: Barriers to Care and Burdens on Small Medical Practice. HR 3107 was the main topic of discussion. Physician member Dr. John Joyce (R-PA) submitted a letter of support, signed by SVS and other stakeholder organizations, for HR 3107 into the hearing record. Following a further review of the bill and meetings with stakeholders, members of the Small Business Committee signed and submitted a letter of support for HR 3107 to the chairman and ranking member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, where the bill has been referred for action. Please click here to read this letter.
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Another important development that bodes well for the bill came from America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), the trade association for health insurance companies known for certification of Medicare Advantage plans. AHIP publicly stated that it will remain neutral and not oppose HR 3107.
Finally, there is enough support for the legislation among Republicans on the House Energy & Commerce Committee – the other House committee where the bill has been referred for action – to request that the legislation be “scored“ by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to determine how much it will cost. Acquiring a CBO score is an important step in the legislative process towards passage.
All these developments reflect positive drive for HR 3107. SVS is continuing to work with our colleagues in the medical specialty community to capitalize on these developments and secure enactment of HR 3107. Stay tuned for future updates on this important SVS legislative priority.
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Just 4 percent of SVS' eligible members have contributed to the SVS Political Action Committee this election cycle.
The goal? 100 percent. Please donate today and boost that number.
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Let's hear it for the Indiana University Division of Vascular Surgery, with 100 percent participation in PAC contributions!
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SVS PAC Launches Competition For Group Practices
With the 2020 campaign season entering high gear and the 2020 Vascular Annual Meeting (VAM) on the horizon, the SVS PAC Committee announces the launch of the “Annual Group Practice Competition.” The committee challenges all SVS members in group practices to secure their group’s commitment to important SVS advocacy by having all members of the practice contribute, individually, to SVS PAC. Those groups with 100 percent participation of the SVS members of their practice group by MARCH 31, 2020, will receive special listing and recognition at the 2020 VAM.
As all SVS members know, SVS PAC advocacy in Washington, D.C., protects the interests of vascular surgery so SVS members can concentrate on providing patient care. Think how difficult it would be to practice medicine if we had to spend our day fighting egregious policies in the legislative and regulatory arenas. The value of SVS PAC advocacy to vascular surgery practices and our patients cannot be overstated!
SVS PAC’s strength and success are dependent upon SVS member participation. Given the importance of SVS PAC to your group practice and your profession, can each member of your group practice really afford not to compete and contribute to SVS PAC?
This friendly competition is intended to raise awareness among SVS members about SVS PAC activities and the benefits of a strong SVS PAC. SVS members are encouraged to talk to their office colleagues about contributing to SVS PAC so their group practice can have 100 percent participation. Your group practice will not want to be left out and miss the opportunity to be prominently recognized with other vascular practices across the country.
If you have questions or would like more information about the SVS PAC group practice competition, please contact the SVS PAC Committee at MMalek@vascularsociety.org. |
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As of early November, the PAC Committee had reached 35 percent of its $200,000 goal, with total contributions of $69,888.
New contributors include: Zachary M. Arthurs, Faisal Aziz, Donald T. Baril, Jonathan Bath, Benjamin S. Brooke, Dale Buchbinder, Alfio Carroccio, Peter Connolly, Carlo A. Dall'Olmo, Yazan Duwayri, Matthew J. Eagleton, Robert J. Feezor, Dennis R. Gable, Yves A. Gabriel, Alok K .Gupta, Pegge M. Halandras, William B. Harris, DO; Ravishankar Hasanadka, Mounir J. Haurani, Anil P. Hingorani, Benjamin M. Jackson, Donald L. Jacobs, James Jen, Jens Jorgensen, David S. Kauvar.
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Also: Alison Kinning, Larry W. Kraiss, Timothy F. Kresowik, Peter F. Lawrence, Benjamin M. Lerner, Joanelle Z. Lugo, Ryan M. McEnaney, Katharine McGinigle, J. Gregory Modrall, Michael P. Murphy, Andrea Obi, Robert B. Patterson, Bala Ramanan, John E. Rectenwald, Syed Ali Rizvi, William P. Robinson, Caron B. Rockman, Sean P. Roddy, Clifford M. Sales, Sherene Shalhub, Christine Shokrzadeh, Frederick W. Shuler, William P. Shutze, Christopher J. Smolock, Michael Clarkston Soult, Emily Spangler, Sunita D. Srivastava, Edith Tzeng, Fred A. Weaver, Franklin W. West, RN; Karen Woo, Dai Yamanouchi, Jeniann Yi, Wei Zhou, Saqib Zia and Jill Zink.
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Lawmakers Back SVS, Other Surgeons in Effort to Include Updated E/M Codes in Global Codes
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) received strong opposition from SVS and our colleagues in the surgical community to a proposal in the 2020 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. This proposal would limit the updated adjustments to Evaluation and Management (E/M) code values to office/outpatient E/M codes and not apply the new adjusted values to global codes.
Due in large part to SVS advocates and our surgical community colleagues, 25 members of Congress, led by physician members Dr. Ami Bera (D-CA) and Dr. Larry Bucshon (R-IN), also weighed in on the issue in a letter to CMS strongly opposing the proposal. The bipartisan congressional letter pointed out issues with current law with CMS’ proposal and the belief that the CMS proposal is arbitrary.
The congressional letter to CMS advocating for applying the adjusted E/M values to the global codes demonstrates the importance of the SVS PAC and maintaining strong relationships with members of Congress. Now, more than ever, it is critical that SVS have congressional champions who can be called upon to protect our interests and promote policies that enhance the practice of vascular surgery and the patients we serve. Several of the Congressional members who signed this letter are on SVS’ list for future political support. To read a copy of the letter, please click here.
Despite the significant opposition to the E/M proposal, CMS announced Nov. 1 it would adopt the proposed policy to not include the E/M updates in the global surgical period payments as part of the final rule for the 2020 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. SVS and our surgical colleagues will continue to vigorously oppose policies that negatively impact reimbursement for surgical procedures. SVS members should stay tuned for updates and alerts requiring advocacy on this important issue. |
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