Welcome to The ACP Advocate,
The presidential election results could barely have been more unpredictable, but the response from ACP has been what its members have come to expect: ACP will continue its unceasing advocacy for the needs of patients and their physicians.
Today’s first article explains how ACP leaders have already vowed to stay firm but flexible in advocating for physicians and patients. Yesterday, you should have received an email from ACP President Dr. Nitin Damle in which he shared ACP’s plans to address the implications of the 2016 U.S. Presidential and Congressional elections. He explained how ACP is preparing for a new administration and is assessing the challenges and opportunities related to health care and ACP’s policy priorities that will come in this new environment.
Today’s second article examines two important CMS announcements that will have major impacts on you and your practices. As the new year approaches, the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2017 has been finalized, earning a nod of approval from ACP. The same holds true for the 2017 final rule for the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System.
Today’s final article explains how you can help your patients shop for and enroll in market-based health insurance during the 2017 open enrollment season, which closes on Jan. 31.
Though the incoming Trump administration has vowed to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act, more than 100,000 people were reported to have signed up for coverage through the ACA marketplaces the day after the presidential election.
The next ACP Advocate newsletter will be distributed on Dec. 2. We’re set to cover recent healthcare ballot issues in the states.
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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What's Ahead for Health Care in the Trump Administration
ACP leaders vow to stay firm but flexible in advocating for physicians and patients
The presidential election results could barely have been more unpredictable, but the response from the American College of Physicians has been what its members have come to expect: ACP will continue its uncea... (read more)
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CMS Finalizes Two Regulations Governing Fees for Treating Medicare Patients
Physician fee schedule and hospital outpatient payment system include items recommended by ACP
As the new year approaches, the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2017 has been finalized, earning a nod of approval from the American College of Physicians. The same holds true for the 2017 final rule for the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payme... (read more)
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ACA Enrollment Surges After Election Day
Cloud of uncertainty hangs over fourth open enrollment season
Though the incoming Trump administration has vowed to "repeal and replace" the Affordable Care Act, more than 100,000 people were reported to have signed up for coverage through the ACA marketplaces the day a... (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 Updates -- PQRS and QRURs |
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CMS recently released the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) Feedback Reports and Quality and Resource Use Reports (QRURs) for calendar year 2015. These reports show 2015 program results for PQRS and Value Modifier programs and are now available for review to determine whether physicians are subject to the 2017 PQRS negative payment adjustment and the 2017 Value Modifier payment adjustment. Solo physicians and physician groups have through Nov. 30, 2016, to submit an informal review if they believe they were assessed incorrectly.
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MACRA discussion forums for physicians |
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Interested in discussing MACRA with your colleagues and ACP staff? Subscribe to the ACP Member Forum dedicated to MACRA. This forum is for ACP members to discuss the new MACRA legislation and the subsequent Quality Payment Program, as well as other related issues like making strategic changes to successfully care for patients in the growing value-based payment environment.
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Leadership Day 2017 Set for May 23 & 24 |
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Leadership Day, ACP's annual two-day advocacy event in Washington, enables members from across the country to bring ACP's issues to U.S. lawmakers. It's a great opportunity for ACP and its members to bring policy priorities to Congress and try to influence the legislative process on behalf of internal medicine. |
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Listening Session for Health IT with New National Coordinator |
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The Georgia Chapter American College of Physicians recently hosted a listening session with Dr. Vindell Washington, the new National Coordinator for Health IT. ACP members Dr. Shveta Raju and Dr. Deep Shah told Dr. Washington about the barriers that Georgia physicians face with interoperability, and ways that the ONC and HHS can help overcome those barriers. Georgia ACP Executive Director Mary Daniels led the meeting and Kathy Whitmire, regional vice president of NRACC, Practice Transformation Network, provided cost data on technology required to achieve full interoperability that supports coordinated patient-centered care. Health IT interoperability, usability and administrative burdens were discussed to identify the current challenges facing physician practice in implementing effective IT solutions. |
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