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Advocacy News

News and views on the regulatory, legislative, and political issues impacting ophthalmology in Washington, D.C., and around the United States

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New Hampshire State House
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Featured News

For the third straight year, New Hampshire ophthalmologists have successfully defended safe eye surgery.

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July 9, 2026
Proposed Hospital Outpatient, ASC Rule for 2027 Could Create Access Issues for Ophthalmology Patients

The broad cuts to ASC facility reimbursement for most ophthalmology services could erect barriers to patient access.

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March 11, 2026
CMS Tests Prior Authorization for Some ASC Services
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has introduced a new pilot program requiring prior authorization (PA) for fee-for-service Medicare for certain services in ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs).
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December 3, 2025
How Two Controversial Medicare Policies Attack Surgical 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.
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November 24, 2025
CMS Finalizes 2026 2.6% Pay Increase for Hospital Outpatient Departments, ASCs
The final rule could affect about 4,000 hospital outpatient departments and 6,000 ambulatory surgical centers (ASC).
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September 24, 2025
Academy Opposes New Prior Authorization Demo for ASCs
What you need to know about CMS’ plan to expand prior authorization for some ambulatory surgical center services in 10 states.
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An exterior shot of a building with a sign that reads "Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, SW, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services"
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September 17, 2025
Academy Pushes Back on CMS’ Harmful Proposals in Formal Comments

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

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July 16, 2025
CMS Proposes 2.4% Pay Increase for Hospital Outpatient Departments, ASCs for 2026
The proposed rule could affect about 3,500 hospital outpatient departments and 6,100 ambulatory surgical centers (ASC).
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November 6, 2024
CMS Finalizes 2.9% Pay Increase for Hospital Outpatient, ASC Settings for 2025
The final rule could affect about 3,500 hospitals and 6,100 ambulatory surgical centers (ASC). Here are the key takeaways.
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August 21, 2024
Academy Gets Answers on Corneal Tissue Reimbursement
Aetna responded to the Academy's concerns on corneal tissue reimbursement for ASCs and outlined what to do if you encounter payment issues.
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July 10, 2024
CMS Proposes 2.6% Pay Increase for Hospital Outpatient, ASCs for 2025
The proposed rule for 2025 Medicare payment rates for hospital outpatient and ambulatory surgical centers includes a 2.6% payment bump.