Two ACR-led resolutions on in-office specialty drug dispensing and the proposed NIH Public Access Plan passed the House of Delegates and will become AMA policy.
After significant pushback from the AMA, ACR and other medical societies, Cigna has delayed implementation of changes to its modifier 25 reimbursement policy, originally scheduled to take effect May 25.
This legislative season has seen key pharmacy benefit manager reforms but slow movement on other issues, such as copay accumulators and utilization management. The ACR is also monitoring emerging topics, such as biomarker testing and post-public health emergency telehealth reforms.
Nearly 70 rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals convened in Washington, D.C., to advocate on behalf of legislation that would preserve and help to grow America’s healthcare workforce.
In April, the Medicare Payment Advisory Committee voted to recommend a change in the add-on payment for Part B drugs, including reducing payment for more expensive drugs. The ACR sent a letter to MedPAC expressing concerns about the significant impacts such policies would have on rheumatologists.
During a busy start to 2023, the ISC has been advocating with payers to address multiple coverage and reimbursement challenges facing rheumatology practices, including Cigna’s modifier 25 requirements, hydroxychloroquine access and coverage for apremilast combination therapy.
The ACR responded to a Senate Health Committee request for information with legislative strategies to support healthcare providers and expand the physician and care team pipeline.
In a letter to Congress, the ACR, AMA and other groups urge legislation that would provide annual inflation-based Medicare payment updates based on the full Medicare Economic Index.
Through the development of position statements that lay out the ACR’s official stance on issues related to the management of rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions, the Committee on Rheumatologic Care helps outline policies that affect the practice of rheumatology and the wellbeing and care of patients.
With 2023 state legislative sessions underway, early prevailing themes may forecast areas where we will see gains this year. Key issues include utilization management, copay accumulator bans, white bagging and pharmacy benefit manager reform.