HELP US ADVOCATE FOR OUR PATIENTS - ACT NOW!

HELP US ADVOCATE FOR OUR PATIENTS - ACT NOW!

Dear US NANOS Members,

November 8, 2024, is our national election. Before October 11th, we need your help providing feedback to CMS ahead of the deadline for proposed changes that will take effect in January 2025. It's essential for physicians to voice our concerns regarding healthcare issues affecting neuro-ophthalmology patients and our profession.

Here are the two main points NANOS does not support in recent CMS proposals:

1. Limiting reimbursement for botulinum toxin usage to 5 units per side.
2. Reduction of the conversion factor without considering inflation, resulting in a 2.8% pay cut for physicians this year.

1. Local Coverage Determination (LCD) Proposal for OnabotulinumtoxinA:

• CMS proposes limiting the repayment for treatment to 5 units per eye.
• Share your personal stories and comments before October 11, 2024 by contacting:

Joelle Vlahakis, MD
1717 West Broadway, Madison, WI 53713
Email: policycomments@wpsic.com
More info: LCD Proposal

2. Proposed Fee Schedule Reduction:

• CMS proposes a 2.8% cut for physicians in 2025, reducing the conversion factor from $33.29 in 2024 to $32.36 for 2025.
  • More info: AAO's Summary (for AAO members) or AMA's summary

Other Key Issues NANOS is Monitoring:

• Prior Authorization Reform: Easing the burden of prior authorizations for Medicare Part C patients.
• Strengthening Medicare: Adjusting Medicare fees to account for inflationary changes.
• Budget Neutrality: Increasing the MPFS threshold from $20 million to at least $53 million.

What Can You Do?

Since this is an election year, we encourage you to make your voice heard by contacting CMS, your House Representatives, and State Senators. Here’s how you can take action:

1. Support H.R. 2474: The Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act adds a permanent inflationary update to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. Encourage your senator to support this bill:

   • H.R. 2474

2. Address Budget Neutrality: Support these two bipartisan bills to increase the MPFS budget neutrality threshold and update the Medicare Economic Index (MEI):

   • H.R. 6371
   • S. 4935

3. Push for Timely Access to Care: Ask your representatives why H.R. 3173 - Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act has been delayed for so long, and push for immediate action:

   • HR 3173 Letter

This bill has been reintroduced as H.R. 8702 and S. 4532 in 2024, but it’s still in the early stages.

Thank you for raising your voice and voting on these important healthcare issues!

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