AAOS Submits MACRA Comments, House Talks Health Care

On Friday, June 23, 2016, the AAOS submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on its proposed rule for the physician reimbursement framework required under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) of 2015. The new framework replaces the flawed Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula, and offers details on two reimbursement options: the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), and Advanced Alternative Payment Models (APMs).

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On Wednesday, June 22, 2016 the 2017 Medicare Trustee’s report was released and indicated that the controversial Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) could be triggered in 2017, with recommendations on those cuts required to be submitted in 2018. The IPAB, a fifteen-member board comprised of individuals nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate, was created in 2010 by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Board’s purpose is to achieve specified savings in Medicare without affecting quality or patient coverage. However, AAOS and others argue that because the IPAB includes unelected, unaccountable members, the Board threatens the ability of the people’s elected representatives in Congress to ensure seniors have access to the health care they need, when they need it. Further, the IPAB eliminates the transparency of hearings and debate and precludes the meaningful opportunity for stakeholder input. Requiring the IPAB to achieve savings in one-year increments is also not conducive to generating savings through long-term delivery reforms. Finally, the IPAB recommendations are to be “fast tracked” and will automatically go into effect unless Congress passes an alternative proposal that achieves similar savings or votes to reject the proposal (with a 60 vote supermajority needed in the Senate).

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• In Praise of Trauma Care – Dozens Saved by Heroes of Orlando’s Level One Trauma Center, The Hill 6/27/2016
• Efforts to Fight Zika Fail as Lawmakers Play Politics with Looming Health Crisis, The Washington Post 6/28/2016
• MACRA Rule Raises Patient Privacy Concerns, Modern Healthcare 6/28/2016
• Doctors Less Satisfied, More Burned Out with Electronic Records, Reuters 6/28/2016
• HHS official Hints at Changes to Medicare Payment Proposal, Morning Consult 6/28/2016
• CMS Defends Medicare Part B Proposal, Modern Healthcare 6/28/2016
• Latest Plan to Cut Medicare Drug Payments Leaves Senators Skeptical, The New York Times 6/28/2016
• The Heroin Epidemic Was Once Mostly Immune From Politics. Not Anymore. The Washington Post 6/27/2016
• Former Commissioners: Make FDA an Independent Agency, Politico 6/25/2016
• How Telemedicine Is Transforming Health Care, The Wall Street Journal 6/26/2016

On June 20, 2016 the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced $20 million to fund “on-the-ground training and education for Medicare clinicians in individual or small group practices of 15 clinicians or fewer” in order to help small practices prepare for the Quality Payment Program. This program implements the new, bipartisan law changing how Medicare pays clinicians, known as the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA). According to the HHS release, these funds “will help provide hands-on training tailored to small practices, especially those that practice in historically under-resourced areas including rural areas, health professional shortage areas, and medically underserved areas.”

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Orthopaedic PAC is proud to announce a new program specifically designed for group practices, called the Advisor’s Circle. If your group practice is looking to become more involved in the political advocacy arena, or for more sophisticated opportunities, the Advisor’s Circle offers just this. We have created a tiered benefits structure that offers unique activities that will exponentially increase your partners’, your practice’s, your patients’ and your own political reach. Benefits vary, from attending the convention, and Congressional Fundraising retreats; to legislative fly-in assistance and in-District training and PAC checks; even a leadership role in bringing forth priority issues to the PAC Executive Committee. The Advisor’s Circle has a broad array of benefits that are completely separate from our individual donor benefits. To schedule a one on one meeting to learn more about the Advisor’s Circle and a free assessment of your group’s needs email Stacie Monroe at monroe@aaos.org.

• Complimentary entry and drink tickets to the resident reception that will be held at the annual meeting in 2017;
• A ribbon signifying Future Capitol Club participation at the annual meeting (and NOLC) in 2017;
• A group picture with the PAC luncheon keynote speaker in 2017;
• Invitation to Capitol Club events such as the reception at NOLC and similar events throughout the year;
• Each individual’s name will be listed in the PAC annual report, on the PAC website and at the PAC booth at the annual meeting.

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