The ACR will provide comments on several provisions related to Medicare physician payment and the Quality Payment Program.
The ACR’s Top Legislative Priority: Reforming Medicare Reimbursement
The ACR is encouraged that lawmakers are discussing Medicare physician payment reform and continues to work to educate lawmakers about the importance of both short- and long-term policy solutions. Support grassroots efforts by messaging your lawmakers today.
ACR Successfully Leads Coalition in AMA House of Delegates to Support Higher Pediatric Specialist Compensation
An ACR-led resolution that calls for Medicaid payment parity for pediatric specialists will become AMA policy.
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A Fellow’s Experience at Advocacy 101
Rheumatology fellow Audrey Liu, MD, describes the excitement and empowerment of seeing first-hand the real-world impact of advocating for policies that support providers and patients.
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ACR Hill Day Participants Urge Congress to Reform Medicare Reimbursement
On May 6–7, nearly 100 rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals converged in Washington, D.C., for the ACR’s annual Advocacy Leadership Conference and 137 meetings on Capitol Hill. You can help extend the efforts of these advocates and amplify their impact by contacting your lawmakers via the Legislative Action Center.
CMS Updates the Medicare Conversion Factor
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 increased the Medicare conversion factor by 1.68% effective March 9, bringing it to $33.2875 for March 9–Dec. 31, 2024.
Congressional Action Partially Addresses Medicare Cuts
The newest funding package reduces the latest cut to Medicare reimbursement from 3.4% to 1.68%. Although rheumatologists are faring better under Medicare in 2024, broader reforms remain the ACR’s highest priority regarding Medicare payments to physicians.
ACR Hill Visits Yield Key Bill Support; Plus Medicare, Biosimilar Wins
Greetings from Washington, D.C., where ACR leaders just held more than 100 meetings on Capitol Hill supporting reforms to step therapy and prior authorization, increased reimbursement for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), solutions to the rheumatology workforce shortage, and rheumatology-specific research at the Pentagon. We’re already hearing great news about our successes: Hours after our visit,…
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MACRA Has Arrived—& What You Do Now Counts
Changes to reimbursement introduced by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) will affect your Medicare income for 2019. “Rheumatologists generally know that MACRA is up and running,” says Angus Worthing, MD, FACR, FACP, clinical assistant professor of rheumatology at Georgetown University Medical Center and chair of the ACR’s Government Affairs Committee. “Virtually every…
Hospitals May Face Bigger Penalties for Readmissions Than Deaths
(Reuters Health)—Medicare penalties are tied to fewer repeat hospitalizations for some common health problems, but a new study suggests current policy doesn’t encourage hospitals in the U.S. to focus on preventable deaths. Researchers examined nationwide data for both deaths and readmissions within 30 days of discharge for three common problems: heart failure, pneumonia and heart…