Advocacy News

Ophthalmologists should continue buying and billing for eye drugs the same way. If patients' out-of-pocket costs go down, the amount Medicare pays physicians will go up to match.

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) modified previous years' recommendations but still recognizes the need for an annual payment update.

As the Academy fights to halt harmful Medicare policies, President Michal X. Repka sent a letter requesting a meeting with CMS leadership to get in front of future rulemaking and protect patient access to specialty care.

The Academy’s team of health policy experts have analyzed finalized Medicare policies slated to begin Jan. 1, 2026, and outline the details of the most controversial policies. We are running out of time for Congress to act and stop these policies from harming your patients. Act today.

Rep. Kelly Morrison, MD, D-Minn. spoke at OPHTHPAC®’s quarterly speaker series event, where she discussed Medicare reimbursement, scope of practice, and vision research funding.

Drawing on member feedback, our formal comments detail how CMS’ proposals would disrupt surgical eye care, reduce practice stability, and threaten patient access.

The Academy outlined key recommendations for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in a May 22 letter to newly appointed Administrator Mehmet Oz, MD.

It does not include a fix for 2025 cuts, but the process is far from over. See where things stand after the Energy and Commerce Committee vote.

The Academy’s Health Policy Committee consulted with Academy staff on many of the top advocacy issues arising from the January 2025 Federal Secretariat meeting.

Academy leaders have identified physician payment reform, reducing practice burdens, Medicare Advantage and Quality Performance Program issues, as well as military veterans’ eye care as some of our top federal advocacy priorities for 2025.