Advocacy: American Academy of Ophthalmology

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CMS Publishes 2009 Final Medicare Physician Fee Schedule

Highlights of the fee schedule include a conversion factor of 36.066 for 2009 and withdrawal of CMS' July proposal to apply Independent Diagnostic Testing Facility (IDTF) accreditation requirements to physician offices. The Academy and hundreds of ophthalmologists called on CMS to withdraw the onerous physician accreditation proposal it introduced in July. The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Physicians Act enacted in July mandates a 1 percent increase in the Medicare conversion factor for 2009. A negative adjustment based on the growth in services above $20 million will be applied to the conversion factor rather than work values. This move benefits ophthalmology payments, therefore rates for nearly all ophthalmology services will increase for 2009.

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Health System Reform
Coming to Atlanta? Don't miss the Parker Health Lecture with AMA President Nancy Nielsen, MD, PhD.

Surgery by Surgeons Forum
Forum Reveals 2009 Optometric Expansion Threats

Latest Advocacy News

MedPAC Recommends Disclosures on Financial Ties to Doctors
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) recently agreed on final recommendations to Congress, including one that would require broad disclosure of financial ties of $100 or more (including food, gifts, honorarium and travel) between the health-care industry and physicians and even organizations such as the Academy. According to MedPAC Chairman Glenn Hackbarth, the goal is to expose “inappropriate financial arrangements.”

A win for Ophthalmology!
California Governor Signs Stripped Optometric Scope Bill. Visit State Affairs webpage for more information.

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