2024

Providers impacted by the Change Healthcare cyberattack may apply for a hardship exception from MIPS participation in 2024. Additionally, CMS is applying an automatic 2024 MIPS exception to certain MIPS-eligible clinicians impacted by Hurricanes Milton, Helene, and Francine.

Take action on key items you should consider in closing out your practice in anticipation of 2025.

The 24th Annual Joint National Podiatric CAC-PIAC Representatives' Meeting took place in Alexandria, VA, on Friday, November 15. Nearly 60 volunteers from across the country came together for vital education and discussion about pressing reimbursement issues affecting you.

US Senator Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA), a longtime champion of health care and strong supporter of podiatry, will serve as chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee in the 119th Congress. This exciting news highlights a major opportunity for podiatric medicine to have its voice heard on Capitol Hill.

APMA is requesting your assistance regarding two proposed lawsuits. The first is a potential class action lawsuit regarding inappropriate denials and underpayments of claims containing Modifiers 25 and 59. The second focuses on recoupment for skin substitute products. 

On November 14, all seven Part B Medicare Contractors released final local coverage determinations (LCDs) that will govern the provision of skin substitute grafts/cellular and tissue-based products to Medicare Part B beneficiaries when used for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg ulcers. Following APMA advocacy and APMA's response to the initial, proposed version of this policy, there are several improvements in the final version compared to what was initially proposed. 

Complete a brief survey to help two APMA members who are conducting research into the impact of radiation exposure on the prevalence of breast and all-cause cancer in female foot and ankle surgeons.

CMS is applying an automatic 2024 MIPS exception to certain MIPS eligible clinicians in certain counties of Florida following Hurricane Milton. 

On Friday, November 1, CMS released the CY 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Final Rule. APMA is currently reviewing the rule and will provide a full analysis of how it will impact you.

It's Diabetes Awareness Month, and APMA has launched its annual public education campaign, including materials that are free to members to use in promoting their practices and educating their patients!
 

APMA responds to the draft Podiatry MVP provided by CMS and Ketchum representatives.

APMA is soliciting members' interest in pursuing a resolution to specific health plan payment issues, particularly related to modifier 25 and modifier 29.

On October 10, APMA staff attended the 2024 AGA Stakeholder Meeting in Washington, DC, to support the AGA's goal of empowering patients with gout and improving public understanding of the condition.

For a limited time, APMA members can save on new subscriptions or renewal to the APMA Coding Resource Center (CRC) during our Fall Sale!

APMA, through its Coding Committee, advocated for the removal of “Calcaneal apophysitis” as an inclusion term under M92.8. APMA's request was accepted and the change is effective now.

CMS is applying an automatic 2024 MIPS exception to certain MIPS eligible clinicians in certain counties of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Louisiana following Hurricanes Helene and Francine.

In honor of Diabetes Awareness Month, the APMA Podiatric Population Health Committee will host a webinar (1.0 CECH), “Understanding the Role of GLP-1 and GIP in Blood Sugar and Peri-Operative Management,” on November 6.

Last week, APMA submitted a response to a Request for Information (RFI) concerning consolidation of A/B Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) for Jurisdiction 5 (J5) (WPS) and A/B MAC Jurisdiction 6 (J6) (NGS), and 10-Year MAC Contract Award Period of Performance issued by CMS.

APMA recently launched the second cohort of its Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) with an in-person Leadership Summit held on October 4–5 in Chicago.