Advocacy News

Over the last year, the Academy has reminded members to be alert for an American Medical Association (AMA) invitation to an important survey affecting ophthalmology’s Medicare payments. Check your email for a message from PPISurvey@mathematica-mpr.com.

As some practices struggle to stay afloat following the Change Healthcare cyberattack, the Academy is urging major commercial and Medicare Advantage payers to step up their financial support and flexibility for physicians and practices.

Our March 12 letter outlining the unsustainable situation Academy members face following the Change Healthcare cyberattack yielded a productive meeting between Academy CEO Stephen McLeod, MD, and UnitedHealth Group’s chief medical officer.

The ophthalmologist and member of the U.S. House of Representatives kicked off the 2024 OPHTHPAC Speaker Series addressing several developing issues affecting healthcare and spoke to the impact Academy advocacy has on advancing ophthalmology's priorities at the federal level.    

National Eye Institute Director Michael F. Chiang, MD, visited the Academy’s D.C. office to outline the institute’s priorities and how to achieve our vision research funding goals amid tense budget negotiations in Congress.

The Senate has introduced its own version of an Academy-backed bill that would ban fees on electronic payments from health plans. Congress needs to hear from you.

When the state’s legislative session ended on March 9, a proposal to expand optometric surgery and a proposal to mandate costly pediatric eye exams died in the respective committees without a vote, thanks to the tireless work of the West Virginia Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons to connect with and educate state legislators.

In response to pleas from the physician community, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced plans to make advanced payments available for Part B providers and suppliers experiencing claims disruptions because of the Change Healthcare/Optum Payment Disruption issue.

Congress has passed a partial government funding bill March 8 that includes policies to address cuts to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) that went into effect on Jan. 1.   

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has signed House Bill 1099, legislature that will expand optometry’s scope of practice to include laser and scalpel surgery.