AAOS Advocacy in Action

Coalition Urges Congress to Extend Moratorium on Medicare Sequester Cuts

AAOS joined with a coalition of national specialty and state medical societies in asking Congress to extend the moratorium on Medicare sequester cuts—set to expire March 31—through the duration of the public health emergency. The cuts were originally set to take effect January 1, 2021, in conjunction with other reductions to Medicare payment, but were delayed through a series of congressional fixes at the end of 2020, due in part to advocacy by the AAOS and larger medical community. In addition to the continued delay of the Medicare sequester implementation, these included updates to the conversion factor, and delays to the implementation of the so-called “add-on code.” The coalition argued that physician practices will continue to face overwhelming financial challenges and pressures associated with higher overhead costs and lost revenue, due to fewer patient visits and delayed elective procedures. AAOS will continue to advocate for support for orthopaedic surgeons and the patients they serve during the pandemic. Read the full coalition letter… 

Upcoming Webinars Cover Coding and Payment Policy Changes

Two upcoming webinars will review recent changes to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Quality Payment Program (QPP) as well as the coding system. In the first webinar, on February 25 from 12:00-1:00pm ET (register here), staff from the AAOS will describe significant policy changes to both QPP pathways, the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and Advanced Alternative Payment Models (APMS) from the 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule, including new reporting options like MIPS Value Pathways (MVPs) and APM Performance Pathways (APP). The second webinar, on March 2 from 8:15-9:15pm ET (register here), will review in great detail the 2021 changes affecting CPT codes, CMS payment policies as well as ICD-10-CM and PCS codes related to orthopaedics. AAOS members are encouraged to attend the webinars and ensure they have the most up-to-date information on changes that will have a tremendous impact on practices. Register for the QPP webinar here and the coding webinar here… 

Healthcare Policy News

Medicaid Work Requirements Withdrawn by New Administration

Last week the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) initiated the process of walking back waivers for Medicaid work requirement programs previously issued under the Trump administration. The policy allowed participating states to mandate that some people work or volunteer as a condition of enrollment in the low-income health care program and was quickly met by legal challenges. Lower courts repeatedly affirmed that the requirements violate the main purpose of the Medicaid program and subsequently led to the loss of coverage for beneficiaries. Acting CMS Administrator Elizabeth Richter has signaled that the waivers may soon be revoked and given states one month to respond to CMS and justify the continuation of work requirements. Meanwhile the Supreme Court is set to hear a final appeal on the program in late March. Read more about the pullback of the policy…

Confirmation Hearings Begin for Biden Healthcare Nominees

President Biden’s nominee for Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Xavier Becerra, will appear before the Senate Help Education Labor and Pension (HELP) Committee on February 23 for his first confirmation hearing, followed by a February 24 hearing with the Senate Finance Committee. Once Becerra has been reported favorably out of committee, the full Senate will vote on his nomination as early as the first week of March. While Democrats are expected to highlight Becerra’s recent legal defense of the Affordable Care Act, Republicans plan to attack his defense of California Governor Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home orders during COVID-19. The AAOS hopes to gain a better understanding of Becerra’s positions on value-based payment models, the future of telehealth, and the ways in which he intends to continue ensuring access to specialty surgical care The nomination hearings are the first in a set for Biden nominees, with hearings soon to be announced for Surgeon General nominee Vivek Murthy and Assistant Secretary of Health nominee Rachel Levine. Read more about the upcoming Becerra hearing…

Physicians Urge Action on New York Medical Liability Costs

This week the AAOS and the New York State Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons (NYSSOS) joined with other physician organizations in encouraging state legislative leaders to embrace a proposal for reducing medical liability costs. Specifically, the measure tucked into Governor Cuomo’s Executive Budget proposal would provide much-needed relief to medical professionals in the form of lower liability insurance premiums and litigation costs. The organizations pointed out that a significant impediment to an already challenged industry is a dysfunctional medical liability adjudication system that is increasing costs at a time when medical practices are already operating amidst heightened financial stress as a result of COVID-19. The stark reality is evident in New York, where physicians and hospitals endure the highest liability awards and costs. A recent report indicated that in 2019, New York had the greatest total medical liability payouts of any state and nearly 70% more than the state with the second greatest amount. AAOS believes that the structure of the current medical liability system limits the ability of physicians to provide the highest quality patient care and that systemic reform is necessary to improve the overall health care system. Read the full letter… 

2020 Orthopaedic PAC Residency Challenge

The AAOS Orthopaedic PAC (OrthoPAC) would like to recognize the following residency programs for achieving Gold, Silver, and Bronze status in the 2020 Residency Challenge. The challenge is designed to encourage residents throughout the country to become members of the OrthoPAC and for residency programs to achieve the highest rate of participation. Those programs which obtain 100% participation and Gold status will be recognized at the annual Resident Leadership Reception at the 2021 AAOS Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA. Learn more about how residents can get involved…

Gold (100% PAC participation)

• Atlanta Medical Center
• Columbia University
• Mayo Clinic
• University of Connecticut
• University of Hawaii
• University of Iowa
• University of Puerto Rico

Silver (70% or higher PAC participation)

• Maimonides Medical Center

Bronze (50% or higher PAC participation)

• Albany Medical Center
• New York University

·        A Review of Regulatory Bodies Overseeing U.S. Health Care (AAOS Now, January)

·        CMS inpatient only policy threatens patient access to appropriate surgical setting (Healthcare Dive, 2/16)

·        One-third of US adults postponed care during pandemic: reports (MedTech Dive, 2/16)

·        Congress’ next relief package could expand insurance coverage (Modern Healthcare, 2/10)