MGMA Sends Congress Year-end Legislative Recommendations

Originally published in the November 17, 2022, issue of MGMA Washington Connection
Reprinted with permission from MGMA

On Monday, MGMA sent a letter to congressional leadership urging them to address significant Medicare cuts and other important healthcare policies before the end of this year. The letter highlights current issues with Medicare reimbursement that projected payment cuts will exacerbate and asks Congress to act by:

• Offsetting the 4.47% reduction to the Medicare physician conversion factor;
• Waiving the 4% statutory Pay-As-You-Go sequester; and,
• Extending the 5% alternative payment model (APM) incentive payment for six additional years.

Further, MGMA encouraged Congress to pass additional commonsense legislation to address significant administrative burdens impacting group practices and improve the timeliness of clinical care delivery. These recommendations included passing the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, extending telehealth waivers for at least two years after the conclusion of the public health emergency, passing the Saving Access to Laboratory Services Act, and appropriating additional funds to continue rewarding high performing clinicians within the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS).

Visit MGMA’s Contact Congress portal to send a letter to your legislators on these important issues!

House Passes MGMA-supported Prior Authorization Legislation

Originally published in the September 15, 2022, issue of MGMA’s Washington Connection
Reprinted with permission from MGMA

On September 14th, the House of Representatives passed the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act (H.R. 3173/S. 3018). This MGMA-supported bill is a step forward in reforming prior authorization practices within the Medicare Advantage (MA) program. In part, the legislation would increase transparency around MA prior authorization, establish an electronic prior authorization program, and streamline the prior authorization process for routinely approved items and services.

Keep the momentum going by contacting your senators and urging the swift passage of S. 3018. Medical practices can use MGMA’s Contact Congress portal to send letters today!