Legislation

CMS Proposes Policies to Advance Health Equity & Maternal Health, Support Hospitals On April 18, CMS issued a proposed rule for inpatient and long-term hospitals that builds on the Biden-Harris Administration’s key priorities to advance health equity and improve maternal health outcomes. In addition to annual policies that promote Medicare payment accuracy and hospital stability, the fiscal year (FY) 2023 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and Long-Term Care Hospital (LTCH) Prospective Payment System (PPS) rule includes measures that [...]

  AAOS Advocacy in Action Commented in this letter on the Proposed 2022 Clinical Practice Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with recommendations for additional components of pain care the association felt were overlooked in the original guidelines. Met with CMS/CMMI representatives to discuss challenges with reporting registry measures as part of the BPCI-A Alternate Quality Measures program. Submitted comments to the FDA on a proposal to amend the device current [...]

News Fiscal Year 2021 Program for Evaluating Payment Patterns Electronic Reports Preventive Services & Health Equity: Improve the Health of Minority Populations Compliance What’s the Comprehensive Error Rate Testing Program? Claims, Pricers, & Codes April 2022 Integrated Outpatient Code Editor (I/OCE) Specifications Version 23.1 Claim Status Category and Claim Status Codes Update MLN Matters® Articles Mental Health Visits via Telecommunications for Rural Health Clinics & Federally Qualified Health Centers Update to Chapter 7, “Home Health Services,” of the Medicare [...]

Eligible Individuals Can Receive Second COVID-19 Booster Shot at No Cost On April 6, CMS announced it will pay for a second COVID-19 booster shot of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines without cost sharing, as it continues to provide coverage for this critical protection from the virus. People with Medicare pay nothing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, and there is no applicable copayment, coinsurance, or deductible. People with Medicaid coverage can also get COVID-19 vaccines, including [...]

  AAOS Advocacy in Action Joined a coalition to share feedback and comments on electronic prior authorizations with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of National Coordinator of Health IT. Led by new AAOS President, Dr. Savoie, met with CMS to highlight AAOS concerns with the National Correct Coding Initiative. Joined a group of physician associations (led by the American Medical Association) in asking the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to reconsider their [...]

News Home Health Providers: Services Provided Data for April 2022 Refresh Continuous Glucose Monitor: Provide Supplies for a Calendar Month Cognitive Impairment: Medicare Provides Opportunities to Detect & Diagnose Claims, Pricers, & Codes Hospice Web Pricer Events Medicare Cost Report E-Filing System: Interim Rate & Settlement Documentation Webinar — April 26 MLN Matters® Articles April 2022 Update of the Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Payment System Medicare Part B Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule: Revised Information for Laboratories on Collecting [...]

IPF & IRF Proposed FY 2023 Payment Rules Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities: Fiscal Year 2023 Proposed Rule — Submit Comments by May 31 Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities: Fiscal Year 2023 Proposed Rule — Submit Comments by May 31 Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities: Fiscal Year 2023 Proposed Rule — Submit Comments by May 31 On March 31, CMS issued the fiscal year 2023 inpatient psychiatric facility (IPF) prospective payment system proposed rule to update IPF payments, wage index, and policies. See a summary of [...]

Fiscal Year 2023 Hospice Payment Rate Update Proposed Rule — Comment by May 31 On March 30, CMS issued a proposed rule (CMS-1773-P) that would provide routine updates to hospice-based payments and the aggregate cap amount for fiscal year (FY) 2023 in accordance with existing statutory and regulatory requirements. This rule proposes to establish a permanent mitigation policy to smooth the impact of year-to-year changes in hospice payments related to changes in the hospice wage index. CMS is [...]

  AAOS Advocacy in Action AAOS joined with other health care organizations to say thank you for the passage of the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (H.R. 1667), allowing health care workers to have better access to education and training on preventing stress and burnout before the need becomes dire. AAOS worked to garner support for this legislation during Orthopaedic Advocacy Week and through the AAOS Advocacy Action Center. It was also featured as the topic of [...]

  The AAOS Office of Government Relations and Orthopaedic Political Action Committee (OrthoPAC) look forward to engaging members at the AAOS 2022 Annual Meeting! Below are some of the events and opportunities for learning more about advocacy efforts to shape the future of musculoskeletal care...       Visit the Booth and OrthoPAC Donor Lounge #1226 in Exhibit Hall, March 23-24 from 9am-5pm and March 25 from 9am-3pm AAOS members can learn more about what the Office of Government Relations [...]