Reimbursement and Practice Management

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On April 14, 2015, Congress repealed the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula.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 payors cover necessary neurosurgical services.

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Letter of Support

Neurosurgery Supports Senate Bill to Stop Medicare Cuts

Last updated: June 12, 2024
The Honorable John Kennedy416 Russell Senate Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20510 Re: Support of S. 5194, the Protecting Medicare Patients and Physicians Act Dear Senator Kennedy: The undersigned organizations of the Alliance of Specialty Medicine (the “Alliance”) write in support of the Protecting Medicare Patients and Physicians Act (S. 5194). The Alliance is supportive of Congress […]
  • Reimbursement and Practice Management
Letter of Support

Doctors Caucus Letter to House Leadership on Physician Payment Cuts

Last updated: June 12, 2024
Dear Speaker Pelosi and Leader McCarthy, We write to request your support for policies to address impending Medicare payment cuts in legislation moving through the U.S. House of Representatives before the end of the year. We offer our assistance in finding a solution in order to ensure continued and robust access to carefor American seniors. […]
  • Reimbursement and Practice Management
Comment Letter

House of Reps Members Urge Leaders to Prevent Medicare Cuts

Last updated: June 12, 2024
Dear President Biden, Leader Schumer, Minority Leader McConnell, Speaker Pelosi, and Minority Leader McCarthy: We write today as a bipartisan group of lawmakers urging you to act quickly to prevent the more than 8 percent cut in Medicare reimbursement that will directly impact patients in this country. Reducing Medicare payments by more than 8 percent, […]
  • Reimbursement and Practice Management
Comment Letter

Neurosurgery Joins Alliance in Commenting on National Provider Directory

Last updated: June 12, 2024
Ms. Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, AdministratorCenters for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesDepartment of Health and Human ServicesAttention: CMS-0058-NCP.O. Box 8013Baltimore, MD 21244-8016 Submitted electronically via www.regulations.gov RE: Request for Information; National Directory of Healthcare Providers & Services Dear Administrator Brooks-LaSure, The Alliance of Specialty Medicine (the “Alliance”) represents more than 100,000 specialty physicians across 15 specialty and subspecialty […]
  • Reimbursement and Practice Management
Comment Letter

AANS and CNS Comment on MedPAC’s Ideas for Improving Primary Care Reimbursement

Last updated: June 12, 2024
Chairman Michael Chernew, PhDMedicare Payment Advisory Commission425 I Street, Suite 701Washington, DC 20001 RE: Options for Increasing Medicare Payment for Primary Care Dear Chairman Chernew, The Alliance of Specialty Medicine (the “Alliance”) represents more than 100,000 specialty physicians from 15 specialty and subspecialty societies who are dedicated to the development of sound federal health care […]
  • Reimbursement and Practice Management
Comment Letter

Neurosurgeons Push for Legislation to Prevent Medicare Cuts

Last updated: June 12, 2024
Dear Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell and Leader McCarthy, The undersigned organizations, representing over one million physicians and non-physicians health care clinicians and the patients they serve, strongly urge Congressional action to prevent the entire 4.5% reduction to Medicare payment rates from being implemented on January 1, 2023. This desperately needed relief will […]
  • Reimbursement and Practice Management
Comment Letter

Neurosurgery Urges Congressional Leaders to Include Prior Authorization Reform in Year-End Spending Bill

Last updated: June 10, 2024
Speaker Pelosi, Leader McCarthy, and Leaders Schumer and McConnell: We strongly urge you to advance the “Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act” (H.R. 3173/S. 3018) in any year-end legislative package under development by the House and Senate. This legislation would establish an electric prior authorization program in Medicare Advantage (MA) and would require MA […]
  • Reimbursement and Practice Management
Comment Letter

Senators Urge Action to Mitigate Medicare Payment Cuts

Last updated: June 12, 2024
Dear Leader Schumer and Leader McConnell, We write to express our serious concerns regarding the stability of Medicare payments to health care providers. Congress must address these vital payment challenges before the end of 2022 to ensure seniors continue to have access to care through a wide network of providers. Multiple changes to physician and […]
  • Reimbursement and Practice Management
Comment Letter

Neurosurgery Submits Comments to Congress on Medicare Payment and Quality Program Improvements

Last updated: June 12, 2024
Submitted via: macra.rfi@mail.house.gov Subject: Request for Information (RFI) on the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) of 2015 Dear Representatives Bera, Bucshon, Schrier, Burgess, Blumenauer, Wenstrup, Schneider and Miller-Meeks: On behalf of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), representing more than 4,000 practicing neurosurgeons in the United […]
  • Quality Improvement and Patient Safety
  • Reimbursement and Practice Management
Comment Letter

Neurosurgery Comments on NASS Cervical Fusion Coverage Policy

Last updated: June 12, 2024
Edward Dohring, MD, PresidentNorth American Spine Society7075 Veterans Blvd.Burr Ridge, IL 60527 SUBJECT: NASS Draft Cervical Fusion Coverage Policy Recommendations Dear Dr. Dohring: 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, we appreciate the […]
  • Reimbursement and Practice Management
Comment Letter

AANS CNS Submit Comments on MS-DRG Assignment for LITT

Last updated: June 18, 2024
Ms. Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, AdministratorCenters for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesU.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesATTN: CMS-1771-FP.O. Box 8013 Baltimore, MD 21244-1850 Submitted electronically via https://www.mearis.cms.gov SUBJECT: Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Medicare Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) Final Rule (CMS-1771-F). Additional Comments on MR-DRGs 025—027 for Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT) procedures Dear Administrator Brooks-LaSure: […]
  • Reimbursement and Practice Management
Amicus Brief

AANS and CNS Lead Amicus Brief in Surprise Billing Litigation

Last updated: June 26, 2024
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS TYLER DIVISION TEXAS MEDICAL ASSOCIATION,et al.,Plaintiffs,v.UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, et al.,Defendants. Civil Action No. 6:22-cv-00372-JDK AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF BY PHYSICIANS ADVOCACY INSTITUTE, 14 STATE MEDICAL ASSOCIATIONS, AND 16 MEDICAL SPECIALTY SOCIETIES IN SUPPORT OF PLAINTIFFS’ MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT Pursuant […]
  • Reimbursement and Practice Management
Comment Letter

Neurosurgery Provides Comments on MS-DRG Assignment for LITT Procedures

Last updated: June 26, 2024
Ms. Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, AdministratorCenters for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesU.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesATTN: CMS-1771-FP.O. Box 8013 Baltimore, MD 21244-1850 Submitted electronically via https://www.mearis.cms.gov SUBJECT: Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Medicare Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) Final Rule (CMS-1771-F). Additional Comments on MR-DRGs 025—027 for Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT) procedures Dear Administrator Brooks-LaSure: […]
  • Reimbursement and Practice Management
Letter of Support

Neurosurgery Leads Coalition Effort to Prevent Medicare Cuts

Last updated: June 26, 2024
Dear Representatives Bera and Bucshon, On behalf of the undersigned organizations, representing over one million physician and non‐physician health care clinicians, we applaud the introduction of H.R. 8800, the Supporting Medicare Providers Act of 2022. This critical legislation provides a 4.42% positive adjustment to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) conversion factor (CF) for CY2023, […]
  • Reimbursement and Practice Management
Letter of Support

Neurosurgery Joins Alliance in Supporting Legislation to Mitigate Medicare cuts

Last updated: June 26, 2024
Re: Support of H.R. 8800, the Supporting Medicare Providers Act of 2022 Dear Representatives Bera and Bucshon: The undersigned organizations of the Alliance of Specialty Medicine (the “Alliance”) write to thank you for your bipartisan leadership in introducing the Supporting Medicare Providers Act of 2022 (H.R. 8800). The Alliance is supportive of Congress taking immediate […]
  • Reimbursement and Practice Management
Comment Letter

Reps. Bera and Bucshon Urge CMS to Increase Global Surgery Codes

Last updated: June 26, 2024
The Honorable Chiquita Brooks-LaSureAdministratorCenters for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesU.S. Department of Health and Human Services7500 Security BoulevardBaltimore, MD 21244 Dear Administrator Brooks-LaSure: We write to express our concern with the current Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) policy regarding the values of evaluation and management (E/M) office visits within global surgery codes. The CY […]
  • Reimbursement and Practice Management
Comment Letter

Neurosurgery Submits Comments to First Coast Regarding Neurostimulator LCD

Last updated: June 26, 2024
Juan L. Schaening-Perez, MDFirst Coast Service OptionsAttn: Medical Policy and Procedures532 Riverside Ave, ROC 19TJacksonville, FL 32202-4914Via email to: ProposedLCDComments@fcso.com Subject: Proposed Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Nerve Stimulators for Chronic Intractable Pain (DL 39406). Dear Dr. Schaening-Perez: The AANS and the CNS appreciate the opportunity to comment on the above referenced First Coast Service Options […]
  • Reimbursement and Practice Management
Comment Letter

Neurosurgery Submits Comments to Novitas Regarding Neurostimulator LCD

Last updated: June 26, 2024
Leslie Stevens, MDNovitas Solutions, Inc.2020 Technology Parkway, Suite 100Mechanicsburg, PA 17050 Via email to: ProposedLCDComments@Novitas-Solutions.com Subject: Proposed Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Nerve Stimulators for Chronic Intractable Pain (DL 39404). Dear Dr. Stevens: The AANS and the CNS appreciate the opportunity to comment on the above referenced Novitas proposed local coverage determination (LCD) policy for spinal […]
  • Reimbursement and Practice Management
Comment Letter

Neurosurgery Joins AMA in Urging Congress to Prevent Medicare Cuts

Last updated: June 26, 2024
Dear Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, and Leader McCarthy: The American Medical Association (AMA) and undersigned national specialty and state medical societies representing the vast majority of physicians practicing in the United States continue to be deeply alarmed about the mounting financial instability of the Medicare physician payment system. This instability is being […]
  • Reimbursement and Practice Management
Comment Letter

Neurosurgery Urges Senate to Act on Telehealth legislation

Last updated: June 26, 2024
Dear Senators Schumer and McConnell: Thank you for your continued leadership in expanding access to virtual care during the COVID19 public health emergency (PHE). This access has been transformational – patients now expect and often prefer telehealth as a key component of our health care system and providers have beenable to reach many patients who […]
  • Reimbursement and Practice Management
Comment Letter

Neurosurgery Led Coalition Urges CMS to Drop Prior Auth Requirement for Spine Procedures

Last updated: June 26, 2024
The Honorable Chiquita Brooks-LaSureAdministratorCenters for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesDepartment of Health and Human ServicesAttention: CMS-1751-PMail Stop C4-26-057500 Security BoulevardBaltimore, MD 21244-1850 Subject: Medicare Program: 2023 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems and Quality Reporting Programs etc. (“OPPS Proposed Rule” or “Proposed Rule”) Dear Administrator Brooks-LaSure: The undersigned members of the Regulatory […]
  • Reimbursement and Practice Management
Comment Letter

AANS and CNS Comment on 2023 Medicare OPPS and ASC Proposed Rule

Last updated: June 26, 2024
Ms. Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, AdministratorCenters for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesU.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesATTN: CMS-1751-PP.O. Box 8013 Baltimore, MD 21244-1850 Submitted electronically via www.regulations.gov Subject: CMS-1772-P Medicare Program: Calendar Year (CY) 2023 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems and Quality Reporting Programs; Organ Acquisition; Rural Emergency Hospitals: Payment Policies, Conditions […]
  • Quality Improvement and Patient Safety
  • Reimbursement and Practice Management
Comment Letter

Neurosurgery Leads Coalition Effort Urging CMS to Increase Global Surgery Codes

Last updated: June 26, 2024
Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, AdministratorCenters for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesDepartment of Health and Human ServicesAttention: CMS–1770–PPO Box 8016Baltimore, MD 21244–8016 Subject: CMS-1770-P; Medicare Program; CY 2023 Payment Policies Under the Physician Payment Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Payment Policies— Global Surgical Packages Dear Administrator Brooks-LaSure: On behalf of the undersigned national surgical professional organizations and […]
  • Reimbursement and Practice Management
Comment Letter

Neurosurgery Joins the Alliance in Comments on 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule

Last updated: June 26, 2024
Ms. Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, AdministratorCenters for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesDepartment of Health and Human ServicesAttention: CMS-1770-PP.O. Box 8013Baltimore, MD 21244-8016 Submitted electronically via www.regulations.gov RE: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; CY 2023 Payment Policies under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Payment Policies; Medicare Shared Savings Program Requirements; Medicare and Medicaid Provider Enrollment […]
  • Quality Improvement and Patient Safety
  • Reimbursement and Practice Management
Comment Letter

AANS and CNS Comment on 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule

Last updated: June 26, 2024
Ms. Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, AdministratorCenters for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesU.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesATTN: CMS-1751-PP.O. Box 8013 Baltimore, MD 21244-1850 Submitted electronically via www.regulations.gov Subject: CMS-1770-P Medicare Program; CY 2023 Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Payment Policies; Medicare Shared Savings Program Requirements; Provider Enrollment Regulation Updates; […]
  • Reimbursement and Practice Management