AAO/HNS Board of Governors UPDATE almost 11% decrease from 2020. Due to budget neutrality requirements set by law, proposed increases to office payments are being offset by payment reductions in surgery and anesthesia. For Otolaryngology it appears a 7% increase is estimated.
Karen A. Rizzo, MD, FACS Governor On August 3,2020 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released the 2021 proposed rule for the Medicare Fee Schedule and proposed changes for the Quality Payment Program. The physician fee schedule release came hours after the President signed an Executive Order for the Department of Health and Human Services to promote telehealth use and access. CMS has proposed to retain certain codes for Telehealth services that were temporarily added during the COVID-19 public health emergency and the compensation for them. The 2021 physician fee schedule includes a significant decrease in the conversion factor representing an
The AAO-HNS urged CMS to sunset temporary waivers involving scope of practice and licensure when the COVID-19 crisis concludes. It reaffirmed its support for the physician led team- based care and opposed efforts to undermine the physician-patient relationship during and after the pandemic. It continues to advocate for Congress to pass legislation that would increase Medicare funded residency positions to help alleviate physician shortages. Regulatory advances include the BCBS Federal Employee Program now considering Balloon Ostial Dilation as medically necessary for the treatment of chronic sinusitis. The AAO-HNS submitted a position statement to Anthem on hypoglossal nerve stimulation providing extensive literature supporting it as an effective 2nd line treatment for moderate to severe OSA in select patients. A new Academy position statement on Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis and Gardasil vaccination was approved as well.
The AAO-HNS promotes use of its Coronavirus Disease Resource website where a comprehensive list of resources for members on Covid-19 issues impacting the specialty are addressed. Lastly, this year’s Academy meeting was Virtual and encompassed 6 weeks of on demand presentations and sessions that participants could access at their convenience. Dr. Carol Bradford became the new President of the AAO-HNS and Dr. Ken Yanagisawa President elect. Dr. Troy Woodard was elected Chair elect of the BOG and Dr. Lance Manning the new BOG Chair. I continue to serve as the BOG Secretary and on the AAO Nominating Committee. Any member interested in running for an AAO position including Nominating Committee, Audit committee, At Large Director (Academic or Private Practice), and President elect (Academic) please contact me. Karen A. Rizzo, MD FACS / BOG Governor and Secretary Lancaster Ear, Nose, & Throat
4 SOUNDINGS | Fall 2020
