Published: May 29, 2019

What I-GO is all about

As an otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon, you know all too well the challenges faced in the day-to-day practice of medicine. Increased liability premiums, a challenging reimbursement environment, and burdensome government regulations continue to threaten the viability of your practice and can hinder your ability to provide patients with the highest quality care.

As an otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon, you know all too well the challenges faced in the day-to-day practice of medicine. Increased liability premiums, a challenging reimbursement environment, and burdensome government regulations continue to threaten the viability of your practice and can hinder your ability to provide patients with the highest quality care. So, how do otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons change this environment and regain control of specialty? One answer is through grassroots advocacy.

I Go Bigger

The Academy provides numerous opportunities for its members to influence health policymaking at the state and federal level, educate elected officials, and invest in the future of otolaryngology. One of the best ways to make your voice heard on behalf of the specialty is by participating in the In-District Grassroots Outreach (I-GO) program.

AAO-HNS members have a valuable voice as both voters and constituents. The Academy’s members are more than just physicians; they are also business owners, employers, voters, and constituents. The I-GO program works because direct contact with federal and state lawmakers amplifies the Academy’s ongoing advocacy efforts when issues that impact the specialty are debated. Successful advocacy starts with a solid grassroots foundation.

That sounds great! How do I get involved?

Meet at the district office
Legislators routinely meet with constituents at their local, in-district, offices. Meeting with a lawmaker or their staff in the district offers a more personal and relaxed environment to discuss issues that affect the specialty.

I’m interested. Where do I begin?

Contact the Advocacy Team to schedule a meeting with your lawmakers.
To request a meeting with your state and/or federal representative, visit www.entnet.org/content/district-grassroots-outreach-i-go, or email the AAO-HNS Advocacy Team at govtaffairs@entnet.org for assistance. Once the request is received, a member of the Advocacy Team will be in touch about scheduling your meeting.

What’s next?

Study your talking points.
The AAO-HNS Advocacy Team will provide everything you need to have a successful, productive meeting. You can expect custom talking points and background materials, including information about the lawmaker and important information on the Academy’s legislative priorities.

Smile for the camera.
During your meeting, make sure to request a photo with the legislator or staff. Don’t forget to send the pictures to the office and the AAO-HNS Advocacy Team.

Send a thank-you note.
After the meeting, send a thank-you letter or email, reiterating the key points discussed in your conversation. Don’t forget to follow up and send any additional information requested during the meeting. The Academy is happy to assist with the necessary follow-up materials.

Share your experience.
Don’t let your efforts go unnoticed! Share your experience with colleagues and encourage others to meet with their legislators.

Are there other ways to be an I-GO volunteer?

Yes! In addition to meeting with your legislators at their district offices, you can also …

Host a legislator at your practice.
It is not uncommon to see elected officials visiting small or new businesses in their communities on “site visits.” These visits provide an opportunity for the official to hear directly from constituents on certain legislation or regulations. Hosting a legislator at your practice allows you to talk about healthcare issues in your own environment.

Attend or host a fundraiser.
Fundraisers will allow you the opportunity for face time with candidates and elected officials to discuss the Academy’s key legislative issues. If you are currently an ENT PAC contributor and are interested in attending or hosting a fundraiser, email entpac@entnet.org. Your contribution to attend a fundraising event could be covered. Likewise, it is also helpful to participate in your state society or medical association fundraiser.

Are you ready to become an all-star advocate? Want to learn more about the Academy’s advocacy efforts and other grassroots programs? Email govtaffairs@entnet.org. The AAO-HNS Advocacy Team stands ready to help you make a difference.

More from June 2019 – Vol. 38, No. 5
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Advocacy highlights from the AAO-HNS/F 2019 Leadership Forum & BOG Spring Meeting
Following the success of the third annual State OTO Society Roundtable, the AAO-HNS/F 2019 Leadership Forum & BOG Spring Meeting, held April 26-28 in Alexandria, VA, included several advocacy-related sessions in which attendees learned about the importance of making their voices heard at the state and federal levels.
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Making connections through coalitions
One of the most effective ways the Academy advocates on behalf of the specialty is through ongoing participation in a number of coalitions. The collective advocacy from organizations on shared issues further strengthens the Academy’s ability to advance federal and state legislative policy and regulatory priorities.
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ENT PAC launches “ResidenTen” program for resident physicians
Did you know that ENT PAC, the Academy’s nonpartisan, issue-driven, political action committee, recently launched a new campaign for AAO-HNS physician residents? The “ResidenTen” initative aims to underscore the importance of the Academy’s political programs with the next generation of Academy members.
Increased payer coverage
Advocacy staff constantly monitors improvements and updates to private payer policy decisions. We are happy to announce the following increases in coverage:
Advocacy_2019
Tackling private payer denials
The Academy diligently advocates for full and appropriate reimbursement for procedures performed by otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons and the patients they treat. Since last June’s annual Advocacy issue of the Bulletin, the Health Policy Advocacy Team tackled detrimental national policies and local payer denials and gaps in coverage.
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Get to know New Orleans
Imagine meeting in a city where cultures collide in a brilliant explosion of flavors, emotions, and sounds. New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz, home to Creole cuisine, and rich with history and culture. It is centrally located with a walkable downtown and world-class convention facilities.
Gary
Our town: The Big Easy
What do you love most about New Orleans?
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10 Tips for converging with the specialty’s leading experts at #OTOMTG19
New Orleans serves as the intersection where there’s no wrong turn, from groundbreaking education sessions to networking events with the global ENT community to the OTO Experience. While you’re absorbing the latest science and new clinical approaches, take advantage of the many events available to expand your professional network and tap the minds of leaders.
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Trauma Symposium: On eve of Annual Meeting
The AAO-HNS Trauma Committee and the Society of Military Otolaryngologists’ Trauma Symposium will present “Modern Management of H&N Trauma: Nonvascularized Grafts and Trauma Care in the Developing World” at 5:00 pm, Saturday, September 14, at the AAO-HNSF 2019 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience in New Orleans, LA.
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Preconference Workshops
This one-day course addresses current advances in minimally invasive salivary gland surgery. The morning features didactic lectures by leaders in this cutting-edge field.
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Annual Meeting Program Spotlight: How to thrive in otolaryngology practice
Learn about alternatives and opportunities to enhance your ability to participate in evolving payment models through advanced practice structure and networking, adopting state-of-the-art office-based diagnostic and therapeutic technology, and validating treatment outcomes.
Thompson
#OTOMTG19 honorary guest lecturers
Presented in order of appearance.
P. Daniel Ward, MD.
PRACTICE PROFILE: Face-to-face with patients
Prior to starting his private practice, Dr. Ward was a full-time faculty member at the University of Utah. This was the starting point of his career after completing his fellowship and residency at the University of Michigan.
budgets
Proposed fiscal year 2020 (FY20) combined budget
The Executive Committees (ECs) of the AAO-HNS/F Boards of Directors (BODs) were presented with the Financial and Investment Subcommittee (FISC) proposed budget for the next fiscal year, July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020 (FY20), and endorsed it for approval by the BODs. During their April meeting, the BODs reviewed and conditionally approved the FY20 budget that is presented here to the membership.
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American Neurotology Society Report: ANS on the move
Barry Hirsch, MD, President of the American Neurotology Society (ANS), Craig A. Buchman, MD, Education Director, and Howard W. Francis, MD, Education Director-Elect, along with the ANS Scientific Program Committee, assembled a lively, up-to-the-minute program at this year’s Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings (COSM).
Sheng Po Hao
International Advisory Board (IAB) Chair-Elect election
The AAO-HNS call for nominees for Chair-Elect of the International Advisory Board (IAB) was highly successful and resulted in the submission of several highly qualified candidates for the position. The IAB Executive Committee selected Sheng-Po Hao, MD, Taipei, Taiwan, and Karl Hoermann, MD, Mannheim, Germany, as the candidates for Chair-Elect. The election will be held at the AAO-HNSF 2019 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience in New Orleans, Louisiana.
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NIH names AAO-HNS Member, Debara L. Tucci, MD, MS, MBA, director of the NIDCD
Debara L. Tucci, MD, MS, MBA, has been selected to lead the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) as its new director. Dr. Tucci is currently the professor of surgery and director of the cochlear implant program in the Division of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences at Duke University in Durham, NC.
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Board of Governors: TEAM = Together Everyone Achieves More
I am often asked why I love being a member of the Board of Governors (BOG). The BOG is a grassroots network within the Academy that is composed of local, state, regional, and specialty societies from around the United States.
James C. Denneny III, MD AAO-HNS/F EVP/CEO
Healthcare’s crushing storm
Meaningful healthcare reform at the federal level may be on the way. After treading water while the Affordable Care Act has been debated, public intolerance has forced both political parties to address a worsening situation.
Albert L. Merati, MD AAO-HNS/F Past President
“I am an otolaryngologist”
On April 27, 2019, I had the great privilege of presiding over the annual Specialty Unity Summit convened by the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and comprised of all the major organizations in our field. Physician and administrative leaders from an otolaryngology alphabet soup were in attendance.