Advocacy News

The Glaucoma Vision Act of 2026 would expand insurance coverage of glaucoma screenings and boost glaucoma research funding to prevent vision loss and restore vision. 

The Academy joined the American Medical Association (AMA), the Wisconsin Medical Society (WMS), and the Wisconsin Academy of Ophthalmology (WAO) in asking the court to affirm a ban on laser surgery performed by optometrists.  

Academy advocacy has drawn lawmakers attention to a proposed Modifier 25 policy that could disrupt patient access to care, and the lawmakers have taken action. 

CMS has released 2025 Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) performance scores and feedback. Reviewing and possibly requesting a targeted review of your score is important for determining your 2027 payment.

The Academy has asked the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to reconsider proposed Medicare payment changes that could harm ophthalmologists, including new practice expense policies, proposed reductions for same-day evaluation and management (E/M) visits billed with Modifier -25 and global procedures, and major changes to Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) reporting.

Academy members made use of a powerful opportunity to advance the Academy’s key priorities, engaging with legislators and their staff while in their home districts, away from Capitol Hill.

Academy-supported screenings help veterans and their families identify potentially serious eye conditions.

The new name reflects an expanded mission to defend physician-led surgical eye care through support for legislative, regulatory, legal, and public advocacy.

The Academy is now part of a coalition fighting against a proposed CMS policy that could reduce payments for some services by as much as 50%.

The draft 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule has been released, and comments on it are due to CMS by Sept. 14. Join the Academy in making your voice heard. See what's at stake for ophthalmology.