AAPA Responds to Expiration of CMS Public Health Emergency

The public health emergency (PHE) declaration, put in place by the federal government during the COVID-19 pandemic, temporarily lifted several outdated policies that prevented PAs from practicing to the full extent of their education and experience. In a letter to CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, AAPA requested that certain PHE policies become permanent and others be discontinued or amended.

What PAs Should Know About the 2023 Physician Fee Schedule Rule

On November 2, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency that oversees the Medicare program, released the 2023 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) final rule. The rule updates numerous Medicare coverage and payment policies that impact PAs, physicians, and other health professionals.
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CMS Mandatory Reporting Program to Include Data on PAs

In 2022, PAs are required to be included in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments program. Open Payments is a national disclosure database aimed at improving transparency regarding healthcare financial relationships on a public website.
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AAPA Shares Update on State Medicaid Policies Pertaining to PAs

AAPA periodically issues a questionnaire to Medicaid agencies in all 50 states and D.C. to clarify policies pertaining to PAs. This year more states say they enroll PAs as billing providers – indicating that PAs are authorized to receive direct payment.
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CMS Releases 2022 Physician Fee Schedule Rule

As part of the final 2022 Physician Fee Schedule, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized numerous Medicare coverage and payment policies that directly impact PAs. This is a brief summary of key policy changes which are effective January 1, 2022.
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Rule Change Provides More Flexibility to PAs Ordering Diabetic Shoes

Due to 2020 policy changes, PAs, in certain circumstances, are now allowed to order therapeutic shoes. While the ability to order diabetic shoes is now somewhat more permissive, the practice is still cumbersome and continues to contain unnecessary restrictions on PAs.

Changes to E/M Codes: What PAs Need to Know

A new code structure for new and established outpatient Evaluation and Management (E/M) services is in effect. PA Emily Hill helps you understand what you need to know about the changes and how they will impact your own practice.
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New White Paper Will Help You Understand Transparency Issues

Transparency is at the heart of many AAPA advocacy efforts. Inadequate identification of PAs and the services they provide creates flawed data which inaccurately inform important decisions made by patients, policy makers, payers, researchers, and others. A new white paper highlights these issues.