Advocacy in Action

AAOS Expresses Support for Legislation to Maintain Telehealth Flexibilities

Earlier this month, the AAOS sent letters of support to the lead congressional sponsors of two telehealth focused bills: the CONNECT for Health Act and the Telehealth Modernization Act. Both bills were introduced this year in the U.S. House and Senate and are garnering significant bipartisan support. They also align with AAOS principles on telehealth and make significant permanent improvements to Medicare’s geographic and origination site requirements, which have been eased throughout the duration of the public health emergency. The upcoming episode of The Bone Beat podcast, which will air on June 29, features a discussion on this tier-one issue from the 2021 Unified Advocacy Agenda between Adam Levin, MD, FAAOS, of Johns Hopkins Hospital and U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) who is the lead co-sponsor of the Telehealth Modernization Act. Learn more about telemedicine advocacy efforts…

Organizations Urge UnitedHealthcare to Rescind Retroactive Denial Policy

Last week, UnitedHealthcare (UHC) announced that it would delay implementation of a controversial policy which would examine the medical records of its customers and retroactively deny coverage of emergency room bills based on medical necessity. The AAOS communicated its opposition to the policy along with numerous other medical specialty associations in a letter to UnitedHealthcare’s CEO. While delaying implementation is a positive step, the policy is  tentatively set to take effect following the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Read the letter to UHC…

Healthcare Policy News

AMA House of Delegates Met at 2021 Special Meeting

Last week, the American Medical Association (AMA) hosted its virtual June 2021 Special Meeting of the House of Delegates (HOD). The Special Meeting gathered physicians to conduct essential business, including setting policy and selecting leadership within the HOD. Notable policies adopted by the HOD include directives to address the burden of prior authorization, increase diversity in the healthcare workforce, and plan for a post-pandemic world. The AAOS Delegation cosponsored a resolution with the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society titled “Improving the Standardization Process for Assessment of Podiatric Medical Students and Residents by Initiating a Process Enabling Them to Take the USMLE.” The resolution, however, was not considered as business during this meeting due to the strict criteria for priority and emergent issues. See more highlights from the meeting…

Upcoming Event for Capitol Club Members to Meet with Phil Roe

Capitol Club Members will have the opportunity to meet with the Honorable Phil Roe during an exclusive event on July 13 at 8 pm ET. Dr. Phil Roe, an OBGYN, served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2009 to 2020 and chaired the Doc Caucus in the 116th Congress. During this intimate event,  Capitol Club members will have the chance to tap into Dr. Roe’s unique insight as a former Member of Congress in leadership and as a physician. The conversation will also touch upon the significant legislative challenges facing AAOS members this year, including reforming prior authorization, expanding telehealth flexibilities, and fighting the Medicare payment cuts totaling up to 10% for orthopaedics scheduled for Jan. 1, 2022. Contact the PAC for more information or to RSVP…

·        Senior Democrat outlines new drug pricing plan as talks drag on (Politico, 6/22)

·        Supreme Court rejects review of insurers’ ACA funding lawsuit (Modern Healthcare, 6/21)

·        Congressional Democrats hope to expand coverage in Medicaid, Medicare this year (Modern Healthcare, 6/18)

·        MedPAC to Medicare: Cut Down on Those Alternative Payment Models (MedPage Today, 6/15)