Advocacy News

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.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) proposed 2027 rule would sunset Traditional MIPS, mandate MVP reporting, and add a core measure requirement. Here's what you need to know.

The Academy urges federal agencies to advance imaging interoperability in ophthalmology, reduce administrative burdens in quality reporting, and expand opportunities for specialists to participate in value-based care.

The Academy and other groups participated in an Oct. 4 meeting with CMS in which we successfully convinced the agency that the diabetes cost measure is not applicable to ophthalmology. Members who believe they have been incorrectly applied cost measures have until 8 p.m. ET Monday, Oct. 9, to submit a targeted review.

The Academy and ASCRS have alerted CMS to potential errors with cataract cost measure scores and called for the agency to immediately remedy the issue. Check your MIPS score and file a targeted review, using Academy suggested language, if necessary.

Ophthalmology payments reduced by 1 percent as agency ignores RUC recommendations

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services should soon release its proposed 2016 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. The massive fee-schedule rule will include the estimated conversion factor CMS will use to calculate 2016 physician payments, details of the 2016 Physician Quality Reporting System and a list of the “potentially misvalued codes” CMS wants reviewed.