Advocacy News

The Academy’s clinical data registry again helped our profession maximize scores in the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System.

The bill includes an additional 2.5% payment increase for the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. See more and how the Academy worked to influence the process for you and your patients.  

The U.S. Senate has approved a Republican budget reconciliation bill that would give doctors a one-year 2.5% Medicare payment increase  in 2026 and makes major changes to the Medicaid program. The House is expected to vote on the legislation later on Thursday after an all-night session.

Scammers impersonating CMS are sending phishing fax requests for medical records and documentation, falsely claiming to be part of a Medicare audit.

Momentum is building on Capitol Hill to rein in Medicare Advantage plan upcoding.

Rep. Mike Kennedy, MD, JD, R-Utah, strongly supports Medicare payment reforms and quality veterans care at OPHTHPAC’s second Speaker Series of 2025.

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

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.

Optometrists gain limited eyelid injections.

The Academy, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS), Cornea Society, and New York State Ophthalmological Society (NYSOS) have jointly sent a letter (PDF) to the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) advocating for Medicaid coverage for epithelium-off collagen cross-linking for patients diagnosed with progressive keratoconus.