Advocacy News

Academy member physicians presented coverage recommendations this week to medical directors for the CGS, NGS, and Palmetto Medicare jurisdictions for both minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) and medical botulinum toxin injections.

Blurb: Regional Medicare contractor WPS released a new draft policy for cataract procedure alongside last week’s proposals for MIGS coverage. The Academy is working with ASCRS to ensure that ophthalmologists’ perspective is reflected in the final policy.

Regional Medicare administrators CGS, NGS, Noridian, Palmetto, and WPS today proposed new coverage policies for medical Botox injections, including injections for treatment of blepharospasm, strabismus, and hemifacial spasm. We are deeply concerned about the proposal to put impractical dosing guidelines on treating blepharospasm with Botox. The Academy is working with ASOPRS and NANOS to ensure patient access to medically necessary treatments.

Regional Medicare administrators CGS, NGS, Noridian, Palmetto, and WPS today proposed new MIGS coverage policies, which build upon last year’s intense advocacy campaign for patient access The Academy is working with AGS, ASCRS, and OOSS to ensure that Ophthalmology’s perspective is reflected in the final policies.

The Academy’s clinical data registry again helped our profession deliver quality care and avoid payment penalties.

Hundreds of ophthalmologists met with members of Congress and their staff last week to build and strengthen the relationships crucial to the Academy’s advocacy efforts, while introducing a new generation of eye surgeons to the important work of engaging on behalf of their patients and profession.

The Federal Trade Commission released a final rule this week that essentially bans using noncompete agreements for wide segments of the U.S. economy, with implications for small to very large ophthalmic practices.

The Academy joined the American Medical Association on a call with Optum and CMS leaders to share recent survey results showing small practices are still overwhelmed by the Change Healthcare cyberattack and require more assistance.

Won’t be able to join your colleagues at Mid-Year Forum 2024 in Washington, D.C.? You can still play a powerful role on Congressional Advocacy Day, even if you can’t attend in person.

As more payers come back online following the Change Healthcare cyberattack, follow this guide and work with your practice managers to ensure your claims processing goes as smoothly as possible.