ASA Grassroots Network

Earlier this month, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released PY2023 MIPS performance feedback & final scores as well as payment adjustment information for PY2025. CMS also opened a targeted review period: https://www.asahq.org/advocacy-and-asapac/fda-and-washington-alerts/washington-alerts/2024/09/cms-releases-py-2023-mips-performance-feedback-final-scores-and-payment-adjustment-opens-targeted-review-period

In anticipation of a lame duck Congressional debate about Medicare payments, ASA has joined with leading national surgical organizations in releasing a formal document urging fundamental reforms to the Medicare physician payment system. The signatories of the document, collectively known as the Surgical Coalition, expressed support for adding a mandatory annual inflation adjustment to Medicare physician fees and restructuring the punitive budget neutrality mechanism, among other reforms.

The July release of the proposed FY 2025 Medicare physician payment rule highlighted the need for reforms to the Medicare payment system. Of particular note, the proposed rule again projected payment cuts of over 2% for both the Medicare RBRVS conversion factor and the anesthesia conversion factor.

Under the current Congressional calendar, both Houses of Congress will adjourn at the end of September for a campaign sprint until Election Day, November 5th. Both Houses will return to Washington, DC for a post-election lame duck session during which consideration of the Medicare payment issue is expected.

ASA Joins Statement on Medicare Payment Challenges Facing Surgical Care See how ASA is working to resolve three key economic issues that are impacting you, explore the resources of ASA’s Payment Progress initiative, and test your anesthesia payment literacy!

ASA submitted formal comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on the agency’s CY 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule, expressing strong opposition to significant payment cuts to physicians, including anesthesiologists, and providing detailed feedback on other wide-ranging payment and quality regulations.

Read more:

ASA Opposes Payment Cuts Proposed by CMS for 2025 See how ASA is working to resolve three key economic issues that are impacting you, explore the resources of ASA’s Payment Progress initiative, and test your anesthesia payment literacy!

Did you know that there’s an ASA advocacy app? Download the app today to get the latest alerts from Washington, DC: https://www.asahq.org/advocacy-and-asapac/advocacy-tools/advocacy-app

ASA members know how use ASA standard monitors to watch and care for patients, but are you signed up to continuously monitor our advocacy? ASA members can ensure they get the biweekly Vital Signs newsletter by joining the ASA Grassroots Network – there’s a new edition tomorrow!
asahq.org/grassroots

Testimonial Tuesday: "Advocacy definitely drives the way we practice, you know, the way our patients are treated, their outcomes." - Lydiesther Martinez, MD

Testimonial Tuesday: "The bigger picture of advocacy is knowing what's best for your patients and knowing the best you could do for them, and at the same time, being the voice of theirs" - Mohammed Hakim, MD

ASA, the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and the American College of Radiology (ACR) formally urge federal agencies to release a pending No Surprises Act regulation ASAP. The regulation is expected to bring significant improvements to the independent dispute resolution (IDR) process: https://www.asahq.org/advocacy-and-asapac/fda-and-washington-alerts/washington-alerts/2024/08/asa-acep-and-acr-urge-release-of-pending-favorable-nsa-final-regulation

Are you an anesthesiology resident interested in advocating for the specialty and patient safety? Learn more about how you can become a resident advocacy champion: https://ow.ly/WGUq50SJ9xp

A federal court affirmed federal agencies must consider all criterion referenced in the No Surprises Act statute and not give preferential weight to the insurer-calculated qualifying payment amount (QPA) ensuring fair arbitration 👏 Read more: https://www.asahq.org/advocacy-and-asapac/fda-and-washington-alerts/washington-alerts/2024/08/federal-court-upholds-tma-ii-ruling-no-special-consideration-for-qpa

Testimonial Tuesday: “[The Legislative Conference] highlighted the big picture of advocacy for our specialty. To discuss what we do, patient safety and sensible healthcare reform with lawmakers and legislators was exciting and inspiring" - Patrick McFarland, MD

Anesthesiology residents interested in advocacy are encouraged to participate in the ASA Resident Advocacy Champion Program 👉 https://ow.ly/75Zm50SJ9c7

Testimonial Tuesday: “Make sure your voice is heard and opinion considered. Get involved! Write a letter or email, make a call, join ASA Team 535, educate yourself on the issues” - Katherine Mills, MD, MPP

Happening in less than 30 minutes! ASA members can still register to join: https://www.asahq.org/advocacy-and-asapac/fda-and-washington-alerts/washington-alerts/2024/07/asa-webinar-campaigns-and-elections-101

TONIGHT: Don’t miss a unique opportunity to hear from anesthesiologists on how to get involved in local campaigns and elections! Register now for this member-exclusive webinar: https://ow.ly/En2k50SJet5

TONIGHT: Don’t miss a unique opportunity to hear from anesthesiologists on how to get involved in local campaigns and elections! Register now for this member-exclusive webinar: https://ow.ly/En2k50SJet5

Did you know that you can share a story about a time when your training as an anesthesiologist made a difference in patient care? Share your story today & help support advocacy efforts to maintain physician-led anesthesia care: https://asahq.quorum.us/campaign/3247/

Campaign season is in full swing – join us on Monday July 29 at 7PM CT to learn more about campaigns and elections, including how to support campaigns and how to run for office. Register today: https://ow.ly/1zRv50SJeoh

📢 Attention anesthesiology residents! Check out the recently launched ASA Resident Advocacy Champion program and learn more about how you can support ASA advocacy efforts: https://ow.ly/AHiH50SJ8z7

Join us next Monday July 29 at 7PM CT for a member-exclusive webinar on the basics of campaigns and elections – attendees will hear from anesthesiologists who have run for public office and learn tips for getting involved. Register now: https://ow.ly/5jRt50SJc8A

Testimonial Tuesday: “There are an incredibly large number of stakeholders who want a say in the changing face of healthcare, and it is crucial that the voices of physicians, the people on the ground taking care of patients, are heard loud and clear” – Jennifer Zocca, MD

Testimonial Tuesday: “I encourage all physician anesthesiologists, especially physician anesthesiologists in training to become active and involved in lending their experience and expertise to educating the populus" – Vandy Gaffney III, MD

Did you know the ASA Medical Student Component has an advocacy video series that features conversations with U.S. Representative Andy Harris, MD, Former U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams, MD, MPH and more? Check it out today: https://www.asahq.org/education-and-career/asa-medical-student-component/advocacy/msc-video-series

Urge Congress to advance student loan relief legislation for residents and support the next generation of healthcare professionals: https://asahq.quorum.us/campaign/45826/