AHA comments on physician fee schedule proposed rule for 2017

The AHA supports a number of proposals in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ physician fee schedule proposed rule for calendar year 2017 that would expand Medicare beneficiaries’ access to critically-needed services, the association told the agency in comments submitted Sept. 1. These include the addition of new telehealth services for Medicare beneficiaries in rural areas; coverage for new primary care, care management and behavioral health integration services; and national expansion of the Diabetes Prevention Program model. “In addition, while we are pleased that CMS has acknowledged the complexity of implementing appropriate use criteria for advanced diagnostic imaging, stating it will not begin penalizing providers for failure to consult AUC until at least Jan. 1, 2018, we urge the agency to provide sufficient time for implementation once mechanisms to consult AUC are available,” wrote AHA Executive Vice President Tom Nickels. The letter also provides additional feedback on specific aspects of the proposed rule.