Advocacy: American Academy of Ophthalmology

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Kohl Indicates CMS Will Reverse Avastin Reimbursement Decision

The Academy is encouraged by an announcement today from Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wis., chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, who indicated CMS intends to reverse its Oct. 1 implementation of a new reimbursement code (Q2024) created for physicians (including ophthalmologists) who use smaller doses of Avastin for patient treatments. The Academy, along with the American Society of Retina Specialists, the Macula Society and the Retina Society, had challenged the new code’s implementation because it poses significant challenges for members’ practices and our patients’ access to care. While the Academy is pleased by Kohl’s announcement, we await official word from CMS and details of its reversal, which are expected later this week.

State Legislation Update
Petition by California groups to suspend and review glaucoma provision in SB 1406 gains new support.

2010 Fee Schedule
CMS' 2010 Proposed Medicare Fee Schedule Rule boosts ophthalmology payments.

Academy Update

2009 Joint Meeting Governmental Affairs Sessions Bring Change to You!

Nothing is free in the health care debates resonating from Washington, D.C., today – nothing except the Governmental Affairs sessions at the 2009 Joint Meeting, Oct. 24 to 27 in San Francisco. Explore the latest health care challenges — from reforming Medicare to ensuring quality patient care by stopping state optometric surgery threats — with Academy leaders and others closely involved in the debates.

Surgery by Surgeons Forum — Sunday, Oct. 25, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., InterContinental Hotel, Grand Ballroom B
Medicare Reform 2009: Sustenance or Abstinence — Sunday, Oct. 25, 12:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., Moscone South, Gateway Ballroom 104
How the FDA Impacts the Day-to-Day Operations of Ophthalmologists and their Practices — Sunday, Oct. 25, 12:45 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., Moscone South, Room 301
2009 AMA Ophthalmology Section Council Symposium - The New Political Realities in Washington, D.C.: How Will All this Affect Me and My Patients? — Monday, Oct. 26, 8:30 to 10 a.m., Moscone West, Room 2002
The Changing Landscape of National Health Care: How the VA and DOD are Leading the Way — Monday, Oct. 26, 12:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., Moscone West, Room 3018

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