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Washington E-Newsletter

Neurosurgery Urges CMS to Reduce Burdens Associated with APM Participation

Last updated: June 7, 2024
On April 10, the AANS and the CNS joined dozens of national physician organizations and more than 100 Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), health systems, hospitals, clinics and practices from across the country in opposing two recently finalized policies in the 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. These policies pertain to certified electronic health record technology utilization […]
  • Quality Improvement and Patient Safety
Washington E-Newsletter

CMS Releases 2022 QPP Participation and Performance Data

Last updated: June 7, 2024
Recently, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released national participation and performance data for the Quality Payment Program’s (QPP) 2022 performance year, including data related to the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and alternative payment model (APM) participation. Notable findings include: Additional information about 2022 participation/performance data and 2024 payment adjustments is available […]
  • Quality Improvement and Patient Safety
Washington E-Newsletter

2024 MIPS Exception Application Now Available

Last updated: June 7, 2024
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released its 2024 Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) Extreme and Uncontrollable (EUC) Circumstances exception application, which can be submitted for purposes of the 2024 Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) through Dec. 31. Note that CMS will not accept MIPS EUC exception applications due to COVID-19 for […]
  • Quality Improvement and Patient Safety
Washington E-Newsletter

AANS and CNS Respond to CMS RFI to Improve Transparency in Medicare Advantage

Last updated: June 25, 2024
On Jan. 30, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking input from the public regarding various aspects of Medicare Advantage (MA) data. On May 20, the AANS and the CNS joined the Alliance of Specialty Medicine in responding to the RFI, recommending CMS improve the availability of […]
Washington E-Newsletter

Neurosurgery Urges CMS to Recognize Complexity of “Add-on” CPT Codes

Last updated: June 25, 2024
On April 23, the AANS, CNS and AANS/CNS Joint Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves led an effort urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to ensure access to care for certain spine procedures performed in hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs) and ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). Specifically, the societies recommended that […]
Washington E-Newsletter

Neurosurgery Continues to Urge Aetna to Modify ACDF Surgical Policy

Last updated: June 25, 2024
Despite two decades of scientific literature, Aetna remains the only major commercial insurer that routinely denies coverage for interbody spacers in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Aetna’s policy deems poly-ether-ether-ketone, or PEEK, and metallic spacers (CPT code 22853) as “experimental and not medically necessary” for routine ACDFs. Neurosurgery has vigorously opposed this position for many years. […]
Washington E-Newsletter

AANS and CNS Oppose Expanding Prior Authorization to ASCs

Last updated: June 25, 2024
On April 16, the AANS and the CNS joined the Regulatory Relief Coalition (RRC) commenting on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) notice announcing its intention to collect information from the public in conjunction with a potential demonstration project that would require Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs) to obtain prior authorization (PA) before providing […]
Washington E-Newsletter

Please Support Neurosurgery’s Advocacy Activities: Contribute to NeurosurgeryPAC

Last updated: June 7, 2024
As the second quarter ends, NeurosurgeryPAC fell short of its quarterly goals and needs your help! Please help to support neurosurgery’s advocacy activities in Washington, D.C., by contributing to NeurosurgeryPAC. Neurosurgery is making considerable progress on several priority issues, including prior authorization reform, due in part to the generous contributions from neurosurgeons. Nevertheless, NeurosurgeryPAC needs […]
Washington E-Newsletter

Neurosurgery Urges Funding for Pediatric Specialty Loan Repayment Program

Last updated: June 25, 2024
On May 24, the AANS, CNS, AANS/CNS Joint Section on Pediatric Neurological Surgery and American Society of Pediatric Neurosurgeons joined more than 60 organizations dedicated to improving the health and well-being of children in urging Congress to invest in the pediatric subspecialties by including $30 million for the Pediatric Subspecialty Loan Repayment Program (PSLRP). With […]
Washington E-Newsletter

Neurosurgery Asks Congress to Fund Pediatric Device Consortium

Last updated: June 25, 2024
On May 6, the AANS, CNS, AANS/CNS Section on Pediatric Neurological Surgery and American Society of Pediatric Neurosurgeons urged Congress to fund the Pediatric Device Consortia (PDC) Grant Program at the Food and Drug Administration for fiscal year 2025. To address the need for improved pediatric medical devices, Congress created the PDC program and has […]