ACP Regulatory News
ACP Continues to Advocate Against Physician Payment Cuts
In comments on the proposed 2025 Physician Fee Schedule, ACP expresses support for several provisions but says more than a short-term fix is needed to restore financial stability to Medicare.
Congressional News and Perspective
ACP Advocating Against Legislation Aimed at Expanding Pharmacist Scope of Practice
The Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act would allow pharmacists to diagnose and treat certain conditions.
Action Alert: Urge Congress to Oppose the Equity Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act
ACP is calling on you to contact your members of Congress to oppose health care legislation that would permanently authorize Medicare coverage for expanded pharmacist scope of practice, including the diagnosis, testing, and treatment for upper respiratory illnesses. ACP is concerned that the Equity Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act could undermine the physician-led, team-based care models proven to be most effective in improving quality, efficiency, and patient health. Granting independent diagnosis and prescription authority for pharmacists to treat the flu, COVID-19, strep throat, and other similar conditions, which they are not uniquely trained for, can have detrimental short- and long-term effects such as misdiagnosis, fragmentation of care, and exacerbated health disparities.
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.
ACP Offers Advice on How to Bolster the 21st Century Cures Act of 2016
Using lessons learned from the pandemic, ACP encourages investment in pandemic preparedness, improving data interoperability and enhancing the public health infrastructure.
In Case You Missed It
Dr. Jokela on KevinMD: The Importance of Celebrating Women in Medicine
Janet Jokela, M.D., MPH, MACP, senior associate dean of engagement at Carle Illinois College of Medicine at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, emphasizes the importance of celebrating women in medicine in her new article “Celebrating women physicians: Keeping our foot on the gas” and podcast interview now available on KevinMD. Kevin Pho is an internal medicine physician and founder and editor of KevinMD, one of the web's most influential medical websites.
In her piece, Dr. Jokela concludes the September 2024 Women in Medicine month by saying, “We [female physicians] are not coming of age; we have come of age. A female physician CEO leads the ACP. A woman is running for President of the United States. We don't have to ask for a seat at the table; we are at the table, and we're keeping our foot on the gas.”
New UnitedHealthcare Program for Prior Authorizations
On Oct. 1, UnitedHealthcare is launching a new program under which physician practices meeting certain criteria will no longer need to submit prior authorization requests for certain medical and behavioral health services. The National Gold Card Program will apply to commercial, individual exchange, and Medicare Advantage plans. To qualify, practices must demonstrate a prior authorization approval rate of 92% or higher and meet a minimum annual volume of at least ten eligible prior authorizations for two consecutive years.
No application is required for Gold Card status, but practices must complete an advance notification to confirm member eligibility and coverage. UnitedHealthcare has released a comprehensive list of Gold Card-eligible CPT codes available. Many of the codes are related to surgery and imaging, but physicians are encouraged to review the complete list of codes to assess any impact on their practice. UnitedHealthcare has published a list of Frequently Asked Questions about the program.
Links to information about the National Gold Card Program can be found under the United Health section of ACP's Private Payers resource page. Learn more about what ACP is doing to alleviate the administrative burdens related to prior authorizations.
Quick Hits
Advocacy News
ACP Statement to the House Energy & Commerce Committee on Markup of the Telehealth Modernization Act
ACP statement in support of the House Energy & Commerce Committee's bipartisan markup of the Telehealth Modernization Act with policy recommendations from ACP to improve American seniors' access to health care services.
ACP Statement to Ways and Means Health Subcommittee's Hearing “Investing in a Healthier America: Chronic Disease Prevention and Treatment”
ACP statement thanking Ways and Means Health Subcommittee for holding a hearing to examine the prevalence of chronic disease in America and the value of investing in prevention and innovative treatment options.
ACP Statement to Senate Finance Committee Supporting Benefits in the Inflation Reduction Act to Lower Health Care Costs
ACP statement in support of measures in the Inflation Reduction Act and urging the Senate to expand and build on provisions in the IRA that make comprehensive health insurance coverage more affordable and accessible.
ACP Letter of Support for the Menstrual Equity For All Act of 2023
ACP letter in support of the Menstrual Equality for All Act of 2023 (H.R. 3646), a bill that would address social and economic barriers and improve access to menstrual hygiene products.
Joint Letter to the White House Regarding DEA Telemedicine Prescribing
Health organizations sent joint letters to the White House, House, and Senate requesting help in ensuring ongoing access to virtual prescribing for patients and providers by intervening in the DEA's proposed rules and extending prescribing flexibilities for two years.
Joint Letter to Congressional Leaders Regarding Annual Medicare Inflationary Updates
Joint letter to congressional leaders concerning ongoing financial challenges for clinicians operating their practices since the Medicare payment system has failed to keep pace with inflation.
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