Welcome to the first 2017 ACP Advocate,
Today’s first article provides an update on the Senate and House action working toward an "ACA Repeal." Yesterday, the Senate passed the FY 2017 Budget Resolution by a vote of 51 to 48. ACP is disappointed and dismayed at the Senate vote, which sets in motion the process of repealing essential coverage and patient protections established by the ACA. The House is now expected to act swiftly to pass the measure. Here's the statement ACP made after the vote.
In our second article today, the Department of Veterans Affairs has given full practice authority to advanced practice nurses, meaning they can work in VA medical facilities nationwide, without being supervised by a physician -- a move met with concern by ACP. After advising against the change, ACP vows to continue monitoring patient care issues.
The final article today explains how the U.S. Surgeon General is taking a hard stance against e-cigarettes. He calls the increasingly popular product a "major health concern" for youth. ACP has lauded the new report and is encouraging its members to counsel adolescents and younger patients on the hazards of e-cigarettes and tobacco products.
The next issue of the ACP Advocate will be distributed on Jan. 27. Planned articles will feature updates on MACRA, CPC+ and proposed drug pricing legislation. We'll also be keeping track of all activity on the Hill.
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
|
|
| In the news |
|
|
|
|
| » |
Surgeon General Targets Young People's Use of E-Cigarettes
'Staggering' growth in popularity poses major risks, according to new report
While some in the public health community suggest that e-cigarettes are safer than traditional cigarettes and represent a viable harm reduction strategy, the U.S. Surgeon General is taking a hard stance again... (read more)
|
|
|
| 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. |
|
| In focus |
| » |
Reminder: Attest to Meaningful Use to Avoid a Payment Adjustment |
|
Physicians have until February 28, 2017, to attest to meaningful use for the EHR Incentive Programs for 2016 performance. Clinicians must attest by the February 28 deadline to avoid a 2018 payment adjustment.
To help providers prepare for the 2016 EHR Incentive Programs attestation period, CMS has released an attestation worksheet for eligible clinicians. Physicians can log their meaningful use measures for each objective in the worksheet and use it as a reference when attesting for the 2016 Medicare EHR Incentive Program in CMS’ Registration and Attestation System.
CMS encourages providers to visit the CMS 2016 Program Requirements webpage on the CMS website to access the worksheets and review additional resources for 2016 EHR Incentive Program participation. |
| » |
Submit PQRS Data for 2016 |
|
The Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) is now open for submission of quality reporting data for the 2016 performance period. Physicians must submit PQRS data on their 2016 performance to avoid receiving payment adjustments in 2018. Submission dates vary based on how physicians choose to report, so practices should check with submission vendors for deadlines. Additional details are available on ACP’s PQRS page.
CMS is aware that recent updates to ICD-10 codes in the 4th quarter of 2016 will impact its ability to process certain quality measures. Therefore, the Agency announced this week that physicians will not be penalized in PQRS for any quality reporting issues that occur solely as a result of the ICD-10 code updates that went into effect in the 4th quarter of 2016. Physicians must still meet all requirements for satisfactory reporting of PQRS to avoid a negative payment adjustment in 2018. |
|
|