Welcome to The ACP Advocate,
At the end of June, the Supreme Court ruled that President Obama’s health care law may provide nationwide tax subsidies to help poor and middle-class people buy health insurance.
In the opinion, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. wrote for the majority in the 6-3 decision, and the court’s three most conservative members — Justices Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas and Samuel A. Alito Jr. — dissented.
ACP put out this statement immediately after the Supreme Court decision on the ACA and also released this statement after the following day’s Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriages.
Today’s first article provides ACP reaction and analysis on both the ACA and same-sex marriage Supreme Court decisions.
Our second article today tells how Congress has set its sights on another health care concern — improving care of the chronically ill. In response to a request from the Senate Finance Committee, ACP has sent the committee a letter with detailed recommendations regarding the care of people with chronic diseases.
In the letter, ACP noted that physicians who care for people with chronic diseases should be “appropriately supported and paid.”
Until our Aug. 21 issue – which will feature a detailed look at the Proposed Fee Schedule – and for more coverage of what's happening in Washington take a look at my award-winning blog, The ACP Advocate Blog by Bob Doherty. You can also follow me on Twitter @BobDohertyACP.
As always, please send your feedback and suggestions on this newsletter to: TheACPAdvocate@acponline.org.
Yours truly,
Bob Doherty
Senior Vice President
Governmental Affairs and Public Policy
American College of Physicians |
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| In the news |
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ACP Applauds Supreme Court Actions on ACA and Same-Sex Marriage
Two recent rulings will have positive effect on citizens' health care, officials say
Two major rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court -- in support of the Affordable Care Act and same-sex marriage -- have found favor among leadership of the American College of Physicians.
ACP officials... (read more)
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Congressional Committee Hears From ACP on Chronic Care Priorities
Physicians who care for people with chronic diseases should be 'appropriately supported and paid,' College notes
Congress has set its sights on another health care concern -- improving care of the chronically ill -- and the American College of Physicians has suggested a range of ways to address the issue.
I... (read more)
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| About this newsletter |
| The ACP Advocate is an e-newsletter, edited by the College's Washington, DC governmental affairs division, created to provide you, our members, with succinct news about public policy issues affecting internal medicine and patient care. To learn more about ACP's Advocacy and to access the ACP Advocate archives, go to www.acponline.org/advocacy. |
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| In focus |
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CMS Introduces Contingency Plans for ICD-10 Transition |
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On July 6th, CMS introduced a set of contingency plans for the transition period from ICD-9 to ICD-10, which is set for implementation on October 1st of this year. Physicians had expressed concern about coding errors that may lead to audits or denial of claims during the transition. Therefore, ACP appreciates that CMS has directed entities including the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) and Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs) not to reject or deny claims based solely on an error due to the lack of accuracy or specificity within the appropriate code family during this transition. CMS will also be allowing flexibility in quality measure reporting and advance payments to physicians whose claims are delayed during processing due to administrative issues. |
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Advance Care Planning Codes Included in 2016 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule |
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ACP was pleased with CMS for taking an important step to improve care for Medicare patients with serious illness by including Advance Care Planning codes in the 2016 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule. CMS states, 'Establishing separate payment for advance care planning codes provides beneficiaries and practitioners greater opportunity and flexibility to utilize these planning sessions at the most appropriate time for patients and their families.' The next issue of the Advocate will take a look at the full Proposed Rule. |
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