Welcome to The ACP Advocate,
Our first story today looks at the ACP’s 2015 Leadership Day. This year, when ACP members converged on Washington, D.C. for the annual event, they brought a simple message to the nation's leaders about some very complex topics: Our work -- and your work -- is not done.
In particular, lawmakers paid close attention and were often supportive when ACP members described the havoc that would occur if the Medicare Primary Care Incentive Program ends at the end of 2015, forcing a 10 percent cut in payments for internists, family physicians, and geriatricians.
Our second article tells how a result of the recent MACRA legislation, which included the SGR repeal, is that if you accept Medicare patients, a big decision awaits: How would you like to be paid once 2019 rolls around and annual reimbursement increases of 0.5 percent give way to an entirely new system?
To help physicians choose which path to take, the ACP offers a wealth of information about the available options. Our May 22 issue of The Advocate explored MIPS. Today, we offer insight into alternative payment models (APMs).
Each spring, ACP gives a resident and a medical student doses of health policy advocacy, Washington, D.C.-style, in a month-long internship -- a chance to learn the legislative ropes and be introduced to life inside the Beltway.
Our final article today provides profiles of the most recent ACP Advocacy interns. Those interested in an internship next spring can begin submitting materials -- including a CV, letters of reference, a personal essay, and a health policy essay -- in August.
Until our next issue – which will examine the final rule on ACOs – and 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 You Should Know About APMs
Alternative Payment Models are one option physicians can choose when the new Medicare payment system is phased in
Thanks to MACRA, you can now say RIP to the SGR and make way for MIPS and APMs.
Confused? You're not alone. The new era for America's medical practices that deal with Medicare is full of mystifyin... (read more)
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ACP Interns Tackle Health Policy Issues in Nation's Capital
Program aims to plant the seeds of advocacy early in physicians' careers
The American College of Physicians gives a resident and a medical student a dose of health policy advocacy, Washington, D.C.-style, each year in a month-long internship -- a chance to learn the legislative ... (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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Upcoming PQRS Deadline for Group Practices |
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Group practices that want to participate in the Medicare Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) using the group practice reporting option (GPRO) for 2015 are required to register by June 30. The PQRS GPRO is available to practices with two or more eligible professionals. Physicians reporting as individuals do not need to register at this time. All physicians will receive Medicare payment adjustments in the future for non-participation in PQRS in 2015. |
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