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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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Ophthalmologist Raj Maturi, MD, with a patient in his clinic.
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Featured News

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released its proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2027. Here are the highlights based on the Academy’s analysis. The Academy will work with our advocacy partners to ensure finalized policies support our members and their patients.

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May 11, 2025
CMS Opens 2025 MIPS Exception Applications

Applications must be submitted on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Quality Payment Program webpage by 8 p.m. ET on Dec. 31, 2025.

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May 7, 2025
Medicare Update: Payment Fix Introduced in Senate
The bill would eliminate the 2.8% cut to 2025 Medicare physician payment and provide an inflationary update to Medicare payments for the rest of this year. Call on your lawmakers to back this short-term fix.
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May 7, 2025
North Dakota Ophthalmologists Defend Patient Safety

Safe surgery standards were maintained as the North Dakota legislature officially adjourned its session.

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May 1, 2025
West Virginia Optometric Scope Bill Becomes Law

A bill expanding optometric scope in West Virginia automatically became law on May 2 when Gov. Patrick Morrisey opted to neither sign nor veto this risk to patient safety.

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April 29, 2025
Advocacy Works: Anthem Updates Amblyopia Policy to Cover Digital Therapies

We worked in partnership with the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) to successfully push Anthem to update its coverage policy for amblyopia dichoptic digital therapy to align with the Academy’s Preferred Practice Pattern.

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April 23, 2025
Montana Ophthalmologists Fight Sweeping Scope Expansion Bill

Stay updated with the latest information on threats to safe eye surgery in Montana.

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April 23, 2025
Montana Governor Signs Dangerous Surgery Bill

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte signed House Bill 218 into law on April 17, expanding optometry’s scope of practice to include laser and scalpel surgery.

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April 23, 2025
Understanding Upcoding vs. Downcoding: What Physicians Need to Know

Physicians across the country are facing increasing challenges from both “upcoding” and “downcoding” tactics used by Medicare Advantage insurers — tactics that can impede high-quality patient care, create unnecessary administrative burdens, and reduce reimbursement for physicians.

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A group of AAO members sit in an office talking during the Mid-Year Forum
April 22, 2025
Mid-Year Forum 2025 Live Coverage

Hundreds of ophthalmologists gather in Washington, D.C., for Mid-Year Forum 2025, April 2-5. Follow our ongoing coverage here.

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April 16, 2025
Kansas Ophthalmologists Must Defend Safe Eye Surgery Again

Stay updated with the latest information on threats to safe eye surgery in Kansas.