ASA Responds to CMS’ Request for Information Regarding ACOs

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Electronic Health Records Update

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National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform Issues Report

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The U.S. House passed the Physician Payment and Therapy Relief Act of 2010.

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CMS Introduces the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation

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Senate Passes 1 Month SGR Fix

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Request for Information from CMS Regarding ACOs

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ASA Joins Surgical Community in Support of Extending Medicare's Participation Deadline

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Congress Releases New Reform Law Summary and Timeline

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The following update was provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding incentive payment updates for 2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI).

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Andy Harris, M.D. became the first anesthesiologist ever elected to the United States Congress.

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ASA recently nominated Lee A. Fleisher, M.D., to the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Methodology Committee.

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On October 19, 2010, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) released for public comment its proposed accountable care organization (ACO) standards and measures.

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With the increasing interest in and emphasis on accountable care organizations (ACOs) as a potential model for recognizing savings under Medicare, ASA President Alexander A. Hannenberg, M.D. has identified a task force to address this issue in anticipation of a CMS proposed rule prior to year end.

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ASA was recently recognized with the Communicator Award of Distinction in the Film/Video - Government Relations category for its political involvement video debuted at the 2009 Celebration of Advocacy.

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Large bipartisan groups of lawmakers in the Senate and the House are urging CMS to increase Medicare payments for anesthesia services, but so far the agency appears to be resisting the pressure, according to stakeholders.

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National Quality Forum Webinar ABCs of Measurement

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ASA joined sixty-six physician groups in a letter calling on Congress to take action on the looming Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) cuts. On November 30th, Medicare will cut payment rates by 23% and another 6.5% cut will occur January 1, 2011, unless action is taken.

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has completed the administration of the 2010 MCPSS. The 2010 results reflect the percentage of provider satisfaction as distributed on the new, fully labeled, 5-point scale...

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ASA applauds the recent Senate letter dated August 23, 2010, to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius urging a review of Medicare payments for anesthesia services as potentially undervalued or misvalued. In total, 16 U.S. Senators signed the letter.

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A recent report issued by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) found that Medicare Part B physician payments for transforaminal epidural injections increased nearly 150% from $57 million in 2003 to $141 million in 2007.

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ASA recently nominated two of its members to committees that will be examining issues related to pain care. Dr. James P. Rathmell was nominated to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) Committee on Advancing Pain Research, Care, and Education.

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The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), on behalf of its over 44,000 members, appreciates the opportunity to comment on several of the issues in the proposed rule published in the July 13, 2010, Federal Register.

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On August 18, ASA joined 24 other medical specialty groups in filing a motion to intervene in a lawsuit originated in May by the American Medical Association (AMA), the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), and the Medical Society of the District of Columbia against the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding the “Red Flags Rule.”

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In 2005, ASA submitted comments to and testified before the FDA opposing a Citizen Petition (Docket FDA-2005-P-0059) by the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) asking that FDA remove the following language ...

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Critical care medicine is an important part of the practice of anesthesiology. The specialty has its roots in perioperative resuscitation and the support of organ failure, as practiced by anesthesiologists.

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The American Society of Anesthesiologists Office of Governmental & Legal Affairs (OGLA) is pleased to host its inaugural class of residents for the ASA Policy Research Rotation in Political Affairs ...

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ASA members are invited to participate in the recently announced educational programs to learn more about the EHR incentive program, which provides financial incentives in the near-term, and financial penalties beginning in 2015, to encourage the adoption and meaningful use of electronic health records.

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The American Society of Anesthesiologists Office of Governmental & Legal Affairs is pleased to host its inaugural class of residents for the ASA Policy Research Rotation in Political Affairs beginning this fall in Washington, DC.

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President Obama released a presidential proclamation recognizing today as the 45th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid and highlighting the important contributions these programs have made.

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On July 13, 2010, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) announced two final rules intended to lay the groundwork for the nation’s transition to electronic health records (EHRs).

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On July 7, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a new outpatient surgical measure applicable to anesthesiologists to be added to its Hospital Compare website.

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Provider Communications Group will host a national provider conference call on the 2010 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) and Electronic Prescribing Incentive Program (eRx).

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President Obama intends to appoint Dr. Donald Berwick as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), via a recess confirmation.

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Medicare Working with Ordering and Referring Providers and Suppliers to Streamline Enrollment Process.

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its proposed Calendar Year (CY) 2011 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule regulation, outlining proposed changes to policies and payment rates for services to be furnished on or after January 1, 2011

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Earlier today, President Obama signed into law the “Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010.”

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The ASA has learned that later today the U.S. House of Representatives will consider and is likely to pass, H.R. 3962, the free-standing “doc-fix” SGR relief bill passed by the U.S. Senate on Friday, June 18.

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Immediately following Senate passage of the 6-month “doc fix,” CMS released information informing lawmakers that carriers have been directed to process claims for services provided on June 1 and later with the 21 percent cut.

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Since the House and Senate were unable to agree upon legislation that includes an SGR “fix,” a 21 percent Medicare payment cut is now in full effect.

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Moments ago, the U.S. Senate passed by unanimous consent a free-standing bill that averts the pending 21 percent payment cut and provides physicians a 2.2 percent Medicare update effective June 1 and extending through November 30.

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ASA has submitted a letter to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) renewing its March 19, 2009, request for a Special Advisory Bulletin regarding the “company model.”

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Since Congress has failed to pass legislation to avert the 21 percent Medicare payment cut, CMS has directed carriers to hold claims through Thursday, June 17.

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Presently, Congress has failed to pass legislation to avert the implementation of the current 21 percent cut to Medicare physician payments. As a result, payment cuts will occur.

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As a result of Congress’ failure to act, a 21 percent Medicare payment cut is in effect for services provided on or after June 1. CMS is instructing its contractors to hold claims containing services paid under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for the first 10 business days of June as a means of temporarily protecting physicians from the payment cuts.

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With the Senate already adjourned for the Memorial Day recess, legislation to stave off Medicare payment cuts cannot be enacted ...

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ASA will not support pending Medicare physician payment provisions that are part of H.R. 4213, the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010.

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With the most recent SGR “patch” set to expire May 31, Congressional Democrats have begun to craft legislation to avert the again pending 21% cut in Medicare physician payments.

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Four key members of the U.S. House of Representatives are seeking support from their colleagues for a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services requesting a review of the accuracy of Medicare’s payments for anesthesia services.

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Today, President Obama nominated Dr. Donald Berwick to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services (CMS).

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Last night, President Obama signed H.R. 4851, the ”Continuing Extension Act of 2010” into law.

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As a result of Congress’ failure to act on pending Medicare payment legislation, CMS has announced that its contractors have begun to process Medicare claims at the reduced conversion factor rate pursuant to the implementation of the 21% Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) physician payment cut.

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Doctors want to take care of Medicare patients. Congress is forcing doctors to limit the number of Medicare patients we see or to quit taking Medicare patients altogether.

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The President’s signing on March 30 of H.R. 4872, the “Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010,” also known as the “Reconciliation” piece of the health reform package ...

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Last evening, the Senate adjourned for a two-week spring recess without voting on a bill that would have extended the current Medicare payment freeze beyond March 31, 2010.

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The American Society of Anesthesiologists Office of Governmental & Legal Affairs (OGLA) is pleased to host its inaugural class of residents for the ASA Policy Research Rotation in Political Affairs ...

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Today, the U.S. Congress completed its work on health system reform by passing H.R. 4872, the “Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.”

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Like many physicians around the country, I am concerned and disappointed by the outcome of this evening's House votes on health care reform.

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Today, the ASA joined with a coalition of 22 surgical groups in expressing opposition to H.R. 3590, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

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Documents regarding the much anticipated reconciliation bill have been released. Below please find the actual language of the reconciliation bill ...

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March 18 Tele-Town Hall - Audio recording and Dr. Hannenberg's Remarks.

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I am writing to inform you that the ASA leadership has concluded that the interests of our medical specialty and patients are best served by continued strong opposition to the Senate reform bill, H.R. 3590 ...

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The Democratic leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives has announced its intentions to seek final votes within the next four to seven days on the Senate health reform bill, H.R. 3590, “the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,” and the related “correction” or “sidecar” reconciliation bill.

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After a year of hearings, debates and votes, it appears that we are rapidly approaching an end to the Congressional health reform debate.

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Earlier today, the Senate passed H.R. 4213 which, among other provisions, would extend the current freeze to the Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula through September 30, 2010.

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Please find below President Obama’s remark as prepared for delivery in the East Room this afternoon. The remarks are embargoed for delivery ...

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Late last night, the president signed H.R. 4691, the Temporary Extension Act of 2010 into law. This legislation includes a “patch” that temporarily postpones the pending 21 percent Medicare physician payment cut until March 31, 2010.

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The February 25th bipartisan health care summit concluded without any apparent progress on reaching agreement on a health reform proposal.

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As a result of U.S. House and Senate negotiators failing to reach consensus, the pending 21 percent Medicare physician payment cut will be implemented on March 1st.

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As of publication time, Congressional leaders have been unable to reach agreement on a proposal to address the pending 21 percent payment cut and the underlying flawed Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) Medicare payment update formula

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Call your Senators today - even if you have already called! Tell them they must act now to permanently repeal the flawed Sustainable Growth Rate formula (SGR) before a 21 percent pay cut goes into effect next Monday – March 1.

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In advance of the February 25th bipartisan health care discussion at the Blair House in Washington, D.C., ASA has joined with other members of the surgical community in urging the President and Congressional leaders to address the community’s positions on key issues pending in the reform debate.

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Today, the White House released President Obama’s proposal for health care reform in advance of the bi-partisan health summit to be held this Thursday, Feb. 25 at the Blair House in Washington, D.C.

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President Obama has invited Congressional leaders from both parties to participate in a discussion about the future of health care reform legislation.

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Earlier today President Obama released his FY 2011 budget proposal, focusing heavily on creating jobs, controlling federal spending and reducing the deficit.

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President Barack Obama on Wednesday delivered the first State of the Union address of his presidency, focusing heavily on issues related to the economy.

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On Thursday the Senate passed H.J. Res. 45, a resolution to raise the federal debt limit.

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ASA recently nominated Dr. Peggy G. Duke as the Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement (PCPI) Executive Committee at-large organizational representative.

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ASA ondemand webinar on Review of Recent Regulatory Rules Now Available

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