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Legislative Affairs
Reimbursement

On April 14, 2015, Congress repealed the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula. The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) permanently eliminates SGR and provides positive annual payment updates lasting through 2019. Since MACRA significantly changes the way Medicare pays physicians, we have developed a MACRA Resource Page to help educate neurosurgeons about this topic. In addition to our efforts on MACRA, the Coding and Reimbursement Committee is actively involved in bringing or reviewing new or revised CPT codes, is a strong advocate for appropriate valuation of neurosurgical services and neurosurgery’s Rapid Response Team works tirelessly to ensure that third party payers cover necessary neurosurgical services.

Key Resource Links:

AANS Coding Courses

AMA CPT Panel Information

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) NCCI Edits

Washington State Health Care Authority

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Recent Activities

1-58 of 58 results

Neurosurgery Joins Alliance is Urging Congress to Prevent Medicare Cuts 09.21.21

Sep 20, 2021
Thank you for your leadership and your tireless efforts to sustain access to specialty care during the ongoing public health emergency (PHE).

AANS and CNS Urge CMS to Halt Hospital Outpatient Department Prior Auth 09.17.21

Sep 17, 2021
Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems and Quality Reporting Programs; Price Transparency of Hospital Standard Charges; Radiation Oncology Model; Request for Information on Rural Emergency Hospitals

AANS/CNS Comment on Proposed 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule 09.13.21

Sep 13, 2021
Fee Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Payment Policies; Medicare Shared Savings Program Requirements; Provider Enrollment Regulation Updates; Provider and Supplier Prepayment and Post-Payment Medical Review Requirements.

Neurosurgery Joins Alliance in Commenting on 2022 Proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule 09.13.21

Sep 13, 2021
The Alliance of Specialty Medicine (the “Alliance”) represents more than 100,000 specialty physicians across 14 specialty and subspecialty societies.

Neurosurgery Position Statement on LITT for Epilepsy 09.13.21

Sep 13, 2021
1. To provide an evidence-based, best practices summary to guide health-care providers in the use of Magnetic Resonance-guided Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (MRgLITT) in the management of epilepsy

Neurosurgery Position Statement on LITT for Tumor 09.07.21

Sep 07, 2021
To provide an evidence-based, best-practice summary to guide health care providers in the use of MR-guided Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT) in the management of newly

AANS and CNS Object to Hospital DRG Assignments for LITT 081921

Aug 19, 2021
On behalf of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), we are writing to express our strong opposition to MS-DRG reassignment for two Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT) procedures used to treat brain tumors and epilepsy, given the agency’s failure to provide stakeholders with the appropriate notice and comment opportunity. The two procedures are:

Neurosurgeons Lead Coalition Effort to Prevent Steep Medicare Cuts 07.23.21

Jul 23, 2021
On behalf of the undersigned organizations, representing over one million physician and non-physician health care providers, thank you for your ongoing support for Medicare beneficiaries and the health care provider community.

Neurosurgery Joins Coalition Urging CMS to Increase Global Surgery Code Values 07.22.21

Jul 22, 2021
On behalf of the undersigned 24 organizations, we write to voice our disappointment that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has failed to incorporate the American Medical Association/Specialty Society Relative Value Scale Update Committee (RUC)-recommended work and time incremental increases for the revised office/outpatient visit E/M codes into the global codes.

Neurosurgery Provides Comment on NASS Percutaneous SI Joint Fusion Coverage Policy 6.11.21

Jun 11, 2021
On behalf of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) and the AANS/CNS Joint Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves (DSPN), we appreciate the opportunity to comment on the North American Spine Society (NASS) draft model coverage policy recommendation for percutaneous sacroiliac (SI) joint fusion.

Neurosurgeons Join Alliance in Supporting Medicare Private Contracting Bill S 826 06.03.21

Jun 03, 2021
As the Alliance of Specialty Medicine (Alliance), our mission is to advocate for sound federal health care policy that fosters patient access to the highest quality specialty care.

Neurosurgeons Join Alliance in Supporting Medicare Private Contracting Bill HR 3322 06.03.21

Jun 03, 2021
As the Alliance of Specialty Medicine (Alliance), our mission is to advocate for sound federal health care policy that fosters patient access to the highest quality specialty care.

Neurosurgery Supports Medicare Patient Empowerment Act-House 05.19.21

May 19, 2021
On behalf of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), representing more than 4,000 practicing neurosurgeons in the United States, we are writing to enthusiastically endorse your legislation, H.R. 3322, the “Medicare Patient Empowerment Act.”

Neurosurgery Supports Medicare Patient Empowerment Act-Senate 05.19.21

May 19, 2021
On behalf of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), representing more than 4,000 practicing neurosurgeons in the United States, we are writing to enthusiastically endorse your legislation, S. 826, the “Medicare Patient Empowerment Act.”

Neurosurgery Supports Medicare Patient Empowerment Act 05.19.21

May 19, 2021
On behalf of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), representing more than 4,000 practicing neurosurgeons in the United States, we are writing to enthusiastically endorse your legislation, H.R. 3322, the “Medicare Patient Empowerment Act.”

Neurosurgery Supports NOPAIN Act 05.17.21

May 17, 2021
On behalf of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), the AANS/CNS Joint Section on Pain and the AANS/CNS Joint Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves, we enthusiastically support H.R. 3259, the Non-Opioids Prevent Addiction in the Nation (NOPAIN) Act.

Neurosurgeons Endorse Telehealth Expansion Bill 042721

Apr 27, 2021
On behalf of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), representing more than 4,000 practicing neurosurgeons in the United States, we write to support your legislation, the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Care Act.

Neurosurgery Leads Coalition Effort to Prevent Medicare Cuts in 2022 04.27.21

Apr 27, 2021
On behalf of the undersigned organizations, representing a broad range of physician and non-physician health care providers, thank you for your continued dedication to providing critical pathways for our nation to continue its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Neurosurgeon Endorse NOPAIN Act 03.23.21

Mar 23, 2021
On behalf of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), the AANS/CNS Joint Section on Pain and the AANS/CNS Joint Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves, we enthusiastically support S. 586, the Non-Opioids Prevent Addiction in the Nation (NOPAIN) Act.

Neurosurgery Joins Alliance in Urging Congress to Extend Medicare Sequester Moritorium 03.12.21”

Mar 12, 2021
Thank you for your leadership on behalf of physicians and other health providers during the public health emergency.

Neurosurgery Joins Effort to Extend Medicare Sequester Moratorium 03.12.21

Mar 12, 2021
We, the undersigned organizations, extend our sincere appreciation to Congress for its unwavering support of frontline health care providers since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Neurosurgery Thanks Senate for Preventing Medicare Payment Cuts 02.22.21

Feb 22, 2021
On behalf of the undersigned organizations, representing a broad range of physician and nonphysician providers, welcome to the 117th Congress.

Neurosurgery Thanks House for Preventing Medicare Payment Cuts 02.22.21

Feb 22, 2021
On behalf of the undersigned organizations, representing a broad range of physician and nonphysician providers, congratulations on your election to the 117th Congress.

Summary of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 01.12.21

Jan 12, 2021
On Dec. 27, 2020, President Donald J. Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) into law (P.L. 116-260) — a massive omnibus spending bill that includes nearly $900 billion for coronavirus relief and an additional $1.4 trillion spending package to fund the federal government through the end of the Fiscal Year 2021.

Neurosurgery Endorses S. 5007, the Holding Providers Harmless From Medicare Cuts During COVD-19 Act

Dec 14, 2020
On behalf of the undersigned organizations, thank you for your leadership in introducing S. 5007, the Holding Providers Harmless From Medicare Cuts During COVD-19 Act of 2020, a bill to halt pending Medicare payment cuts resulting from the finalized evaluation and management (E/M) code changes slated for implementation on January 1, 2021.

Neurosurgery Urges Congress to Use Provider Relief Fund to Prevent Medicare Cuts 12.14.20

Dec 14, 2020
On behalf of the 21 undersigned organizations representing surgeons and anesthesiologists across the United States, we strongly urge you to take action before Congress adjourns for the year to prevent devastating Medicare physician payment cuts scheduled to be implemented on January 1, 2021.

S. 5007, Holding Providers Harmless From Medicare Cuts During COVID–19 Act

Dec 11, 2020
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for an increase in payment under part B of the Medicare program for certain services in response to COVID–19.

Senators Urge Leaders to Prevent Medicare Cuts 12.04.20

Dec 04, 2020
We write to express our support for addressing upcoming physician payment cuts in ongoing legislative negotiations.

Congressional Black Caucus Urges House Leaders to Prevent Medicare Cuts 12.04.20

Dec 04, 2020
As members of the Congressional Black Caucus, we want to thank you for your efforts to ensure access to health care for patients and to ensure that physicians and specialists around the country have been able to continue operations during this pandemic.

Neurosurgery Urges Congress to Adopt its 3-Point Plan for Preventing Medicare Cuts 12.04.20

Dec 04, 2020
On behalf of the 20 undersigned organizations representing surgeons across the United States, we write to you today regarding significant concerns with the devastating Medicare physician payment cuts scheduled to be implemented on January 1, 2021.

Neurosurgery Urges Congress to Act to Prevent Medicare Cuts 12.03.20

Dec 03, 2020
Thank you for your leadership and your tireless efforts during this public health emergency. The Alliance of Specialty Medicine (the “Alliance”) represents more than 100,000 specialty physicians and is dedicated to the development of sound federal health care policy that fosters patient access to the highest quality specialty care.

Doc Members of Congress Urge Leaders to Prevent Medicare Cuts 12.03.20

Dec 03, 2020
We urgently request that you address the impending cuts in the CY21 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule in any legislation moving through the House before the end of the year in an effort to avert yet another health care crisis.

Medicare Reimbursement Equity Act of 2020

Dec 01, 2020
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure appropriate global surgical package code values in the Medicare program.

Neurosurgery Leads Coalition Effort Supporting Legislation to Prevent Medicare Cuts 11.11.20

Nov 11, 2020
On behalf of the undersigned organizations, thank you for your leadership in introducing H.R. 8702, a bill to halt pending Medicare payment cuts resulting from the planned evaluation and management (E/M) code changes slated for implementation on January 1, 2021.

Neurosurgery Joins Effort Urging Congress to Eliminate Medicare Sequester Cuts 11.11.20

Nov 11, 2020
The COVID-19 global health pandemic remains unprecedented in both the scale and scope of its impact, and the response by the government and health care community to this crisis has been similarly unparalleled.

Neurosurgery Urges Health Plans to Recognize CPT Code 99072 for COVID-19-Related Expenses 11.10.20

Nov 10, 2020
The undersigned organizations represent the hundreds of thousands of physicians who provide care for our nation’s patients every day.

Surgical Groups Support Legislation to Prevent Medicare Pay Cuts 11.02.20

Nov 03, 2020
On behalf of the undersigned organizations representing surgeons across the United States, we would like to express our support for the bipartisan Holding Providers Harmless From Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act of 2020, H.R. 8702.

Neurosurgery Supports Medicare Coverage for Innovative Technologies 11.2.20

Nov 02, 2020
On behalf of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), representing more than 4,000 neurosurgeons in the United States, we appreciate the opportunity to comment on the above-referenced notice of proposed rulemaking.

Neurosurgery Objects to Independence Blue Cross Physiatrist Referral Requirement 11.2.20

Nov 02, 2020
On behalf of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) and the AANS/CNS Joint Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves (DSPN), representing more than 4,000 neurosurgeons in the United States, we appreciate the opportunity to comment on recent changes in the above-referenced policy, Independence Blue Cross Policy #11.14/27d-Spinal Fusion.1

Neurosurgery Joins Alliance in Commenting on Medicare Coverage of Innovative Technology 11.2.20

Nov 02, 2020
On behalf of more than 100,000 specialty physicians, the undersigned members of the Alliance of Specialty Medicine (the “Alliance”) write in response to proposals outlined in the aforementioned proposed rule.

Neurosurgeons Support Legislation to Prevent Medicare Cuts 10.30.20

Oct 30, 2020
On behalf of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), representing more than 4,000 practicing neurosurgeons in the United States, we are pleased to endorse your legislation, the “Holding Providers Harmless From Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act.”

Neurosurgeons Support Legislation to Prevent Medicare Cuts 10.30.20

Oct 30, 2020
On behalf of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), representing more than 4,000 practicing neurosurgeons in the United States, we are pleased to endorse your legislation, the “Holding Providers Harmless From Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act.

Congress Urges CMS to Drop Prior Auth Requirements for Neurosurgical Services 10.30.20

Oct 30, 2020
We write to you to express bipartisan concern over a proposal by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to expand prior authorization for certain items and services in the calendar year (CY) 2021 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Payment System.1 If finalized, we believe this policy could negatively impact beneficiary access to medically necessary procedures, and we ask you to reconsider.

229 Bipartisan Members of the House Urge Leaders to Prevent Medicare Cuts 10.19.20

Oct 19, 2020
We write to bring to your attention a matter of great urgency. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will be issuing new payment policies in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2021.

Sen. Collins Urges Senate Leaders to Prevent Medicare Payment Cuts 10.09.20

Oct 09, 2020
I write today regarding the recent 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) proposed rule and my concern with the ill-timed payment cuts proposed for certain physician specialties and providers.

Neurosurgery Leads Effort Thanking Reps. Burgess and Rush for their Leadership on Medicare Payment Cuts 10.09.20

Oct 09, 2020
On behalf of the undersigned organizations, thank you for your leadership in introducing H.R. 8505, a bill to prevent pending Medicare payment cuts by waiving the budget neutrality requirements stipulated in Section 1848(c)(2) of the Social Security Act for the finalized evaluation and management (E/M) code proposal slated for implementation on January 1, 2021.

Neurosurgery Joins Coalition in Letter to CMS re Medicare Pay Cuts 10.05.20

Oct 06, 2020
The professional organizations below, representing an estimated 1.4 million physicians and nonphysician practitioners throughout the country, strenuously object to the extraordinary budget neutrality (BN) reduction proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in the 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) proposed rule (the “proposed CF reduction”).

Neurosurgery Joins Alliance in Commenting on Medicare Fee Schedule 10.05.20

Oct 05, 2020
On behalf of more than 100,000 specialty physicians, the undersigned members of the Alliance of Specialty Medicine (the “Alliance”) write in response to proposals outlined in the aforementioned proposed rule, which includes proposals to update the Medicare physician fee schedule for CY 2021 and the Quality Payment Program in Year 5.

Neurosurgery Joins Coalition in Letter to CMS re Medicare Pay Cuts 10.05.20

Oct 05, 2020
The professional organizations below, representing an estimated 1.4 million physicians and nonphysician practitioners throughout the country, strenuously object to the extraordinary budget neutrality (BN) reduction proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in the 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) proposed rule (the “proposed CF reduction”).

Neurosurgery Comments on Medicare Hospital-ASC Proposed Rule 10.05.20

Oct 05, 2020
On behalf of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), representing more than 4,000 neurosurgeons in the United States, we appreciate the opportunity to comment on the above-referenced notice of proposed rulemaking.

Neurosurgery Comments on Payment Provisions of Proposed 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule 10.01.20

Oct 01, 2020
On behalf of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), representing more than 4,000 neurosurgeons in the United States, we appreciate the opportunity to comment on the payment provisions of the above-referenced notice of proposed rulemaking.

Neurosurgery Joins Alliance Urging Congress to Prevent Medicare Cuts 09.24.20

Sep 24, 2020
Thank you for your leadership and your tireless efforts during the public health emergency. The Alliance of Specialty Medicine (the “Alliance”) represents more than 100,000 specialty physicians and is dedicated to the development of sound federal health care policy that fosters patient access to the highest quality specialty care. As patient and physician advocates, we are urging you to act before the end of the year to prevent significant Medicare pay cuts, which will impact many physician specialties effective January 1, 2021.

Neurosurgery Asks Congress to Prevent Medicare Payment Cuts 091820

Sep 18, 2020
On behalf of the 22 undersigned organizations representing surgeons across the United States, we urge Congress to take immediate action — in the current continuing resolution (CR) or other must-pass legislation this year — to prevent steep Medicare physician payment cuts that will greatly impact our specialties.

Neurosurgery Urges CMS to Increase Medicare’s Global Surgery Values 08.21.20

Aug 21, 2020
On behalf of the undersigned 26 organizations, we write to voice our strong opposition to certain policies related to evaluation and management (E/M) codes in the calendar year (CY) 2021 Medicare physician fee schedule (PFS) proposed rule.

UnitedHealthcare Revisits Imaging Prior Authorization Requirements 07.07.20

Jul 07, 2020
Thank you for contacting us about UnitedHealthcare's prior authorization requirements for uploading radiographic images.

Neurosurgery Urges UnitedHealthcare to Scrap Onerous Prior Auth Policy for Spine Surgery 06.23.20

Jun 23, 2020
On behalf of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) and the AANS/CNS Joint Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves (DSPN), we are writing to express concern about UnitedHealthcare’s (UHC) new prior authorization policy for the surgical treatment of spinal conditions.

Neurosurgeons Ask Congress to Prevent Medicare Cuts 06.18.20

Jun 18, 2020
On behalf of the undersigned organizations, thank you for your leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the pandemic begins to subside, and the nation strives to adjust to a “new normal,” we appreciate Congress’ efforts to protect health care providers and their patients and grant much-needed flexibilities across the health care community.

Neurosurgery Joins Multi-specialty Letter Objecting to CMS Proposal Regarding Rehabilitation Services 6.11.20

Jun 11, 2020
The undersigned organizations write in response to a proposal included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) Prospective Payment System (PPS) proposed rule.

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