The ACP Advocate is a bi-weekly e-newsletter that provides ACP members with news about public policy issues affecting internal medicine and patient care.
November 22, 2024
ACP Regulatory News
Final CMS Physician Fee Schedule for 2025 Released
Positive aspects of the final schedule include the G2211 code being used with same-day wellness visits and revision of telehealth to include audio-only communications.
Congressional News and Perspective
ACP Urging Congress to Pass Bipartisan Legislation That Would Stop the Physician Payment Cut
The Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act would replace the 2.83 percent budget neutrality cut with a 1.8 percent inflationary update.
Administration News
ACP Preps Advocacy To-Do List for New Trump Administration
Hopes to see continued progress in reducing administrative burdens and improving payments for primary care, which were addressed by previous Trump administration.
In Case You Missed It
Shari Erickson for IM Matters: Playing the long game for budget, physician fee reforms
In the Washington Perspective column for the Nov./Dec. Issue of IM Matters, Shari M. Erickson, MPH, ACP's Chief Advocacy Officer and Senior Vice President for Governmental Affairs and Public Policy, provides insight into the complexities of the U.S. budget and appropriations process, which often extends months beyond deadlines due to political polarization. Read the column to learn more about how this impacts Medicare payments to physicians and about ACP's past and current advocacy work on the federal budget.
Action Alert: Urge Congress to Pass Prior Authorization Legislation
ACP is calling on you to contact your members of Congress to ask them to support and pass the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act. This legislation would streamline the prior authorization approval processes in Medicare Advantage (MA), providing greater transparency within the MA program and consequently protecting patients from unnecessary delays in care and easing administrative burden on physicians.
Visit ACP's Legislative Action Center to learn more and take action. A sample email message is provided for you that includes space for you to personalize the letter. Join the Advocates for Internal Medicine network to receive ACP's action alerts directly and advocate for the interests of internal medicine in Washington.
Quick Hits
Advocacy News
Joint Letter Urging Congressional Leaders to Reauthorize the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act
Joint letter urging congressional leaders to include a comprehensive reauthorization of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) in a legislative package before the end of the year, which includes key new provisions that would strengthen US preparedness and response capabilities in the face of national health security threats.
ACP Comment Letter Regarding the HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2026 Proposed Rule
ACP letter commenting on the proposed 2026 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters, and Basic Health Program rule, in support of actions to prevent fraud, keep low-income patients insured, simplify plan options, and secure affordable premiums through “silver loading”.
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