Published: October 5, 2016

Academy comments on 2017 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule

On July 15, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) posted the proposed Medicare physician fee schedule (MPFS) for calendar year (CY) 2017. In addition to payment policy and payment rate updates, the MPFS addresses a number of issues affecting otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons.

On July 15, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) posted the proposed Medicare physician fee schedule (MPFS) for calendar year (CY) 2017. In addition to payment policy and payment rate updates, the MPFS addresses a number of issues affecting otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons.

Key provisions Members should be aware of from the proposed rule include: practice expense adjustments; proposed global surgical data collection requirements; Appropriate Use Criteria for Advanced Diagnostic Imaging requirements; modifications to the Qualified Clinical Data Registry (QCDR) qualification requirements; and updates to the Value Based Modifier and Physician Feedback Programs.

The Academy submitted comments to CMS on the proposed rule on September 6. The comments can be found on the website at http://www.entnet.org/content/regulatory-advocacy.

Watch for the November Bulletin with a deeper explanation of what you need to know about proposals in the MPFS and how the Academy is advocating on your behalf.

More from October 2016 - Vol. 35, No. 9

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Fact Sheets: Post-SGR Payment Policy: APMs

MACRA replaced the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) and created the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and the Advanced Alternative Payment Model (APM) program. The proposed start date for the Advanced APM program is January 1, 2017.

Post Sgr Payment Policy Mips

Fact Sheets: Post-SGR Payment Policy: MIPS

MACRA replaced the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) and created the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and the Alternative Payment Model (APM) program.

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Fact Sheets: MIPS and APMs

MACRA replaced the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) and created the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and the Advanced Alternative Payment Model (APM) program. The proposed start date for the two new payment programs is January 1, 2017.

Post Sgr Payment Policy Mips

Fact Sheets: Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and eligible Alternative Payment Models (APMs)

The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) repealed the SGR and created two new payment update tracks: the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and Alternative Payment Models (APMs).

Academy, Anthem revise SPECT/CT fusion imaging policy

Thanks to Academy physician leaders’ comments and clinical recommendations, Anthem revised the Anthem Medical Policy for Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography/Computed Tomography (SPECT/CT) Fusion Imaging.

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Reg-ent℠ is growing

Join the first ENT Clinical Data Registry and be ready for 2017 MIPS reporting

Required Submission: Answering a ‘Call for Papers,’ applying for a grant, or engaging in committee work?

All Scientific Oral Presentations at the AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting and all manuscripts resulting from Academy or Foundation-sponsored research or committee work must be submitted as full-length articles to Otolaryngology–Head Neck Surgery, the official journal of the AAO-HNSF, for right of first refusal.

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Committees and 3P Workgroup approve nine Position Statements

At the September Board of Directors Meeting, nine Position Statements (three of which were new) were approved for use in state and federal regulatory or advocacy efforts, or to clarify the AAO-HNS/F approval or disapproval of certain practices in medicine.

Lokman B. Saim, MD

AAO-HNSF establishes two international awards

Thanks to the generosity of Nikhil J. Bhatt, MD, the AAO-HNSF has established the AAO-HNSF Nikhil J. Bhatt, MD International Humanitarian Award and the International Public Service Award. These awards were announced during the AAO-HNS/F Boards of Directors’ luncheon, September 17.

Barbados

Revamping hearing health in Barbados

Here in the United States, universal newborn hearing screening has become so prevalent and successful that we nearly take it for granted that children with hearing loss will be identified and treated. For the few children who slip through the cracks, the consequences are substantial and the feelings of failure are real.

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Board of Governors: Be an advocate for change

The joy of patient care is hopefully something that you experience on a regular basis. As practitioners, it is easy to get caught up in the alphabet soup—MIPS, MACRA, ACA, EHR. But, the real reason that most of us chose this path is the patients.

James C. Denneny III, MD AAO-HNS/F EVP/CEO

Commitment and collaboration

Even the most casual observer who attended our meeting in San Diego would recognize the massive amount of work that goes into staging our Annual Meeting. The teamwork between our staff and otolaryngologists worldwide and spectrum of practice situations is truly amazing.

Gregory W. Randolph, MD AAO-HNS/F Past President

The Academy is our calling

As a third-year Cornell Medical College student I had a basic science research background and strong clinical interest in reproductive endocrinology. It was then I took my otolaryngology-head and neck surgery rotation and met Roy Sessions, MD, then the sole otolaryngologist on the renowned head and neck surgical service of Memorial Sloan Kettering.