View our highlights from the past year! | AOA ANNUAL REPORT
On July 10, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the CY2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule which includes updates to physician payment policies, the Quality Payment Program (QPP) and the Medicare Shared Savings Program. Key takeaways include the following: CMS has proposed a 2.8% reduction in physician payment, which results … Read More
Many seniors experience delays in receiving essential medical care due to the prior authorization requirements imposed by Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. These requirements not only delay care but also create a significant administrative burden for physicians, diverting valuable time from patient care to paperwork. Thanks to our dedicated advocacy efforts, Congress has recently introduced the … Read More
On June 24, 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalized its rule establishing disincentives for providers who are identified by the HHS Office of the Inspector General as having engaged in information blocking. Information blocking entails practices by health care providers that are unreasonable and “likely to interfere with access, exchange or … Read More
The AOA is dedicated to advancing recognition and practice rights for osteopathic physicians abroad, and recently achieved a major win in Ontario. Following years of advocacy by the AOA, the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners and the Canadian Osteopathic Association, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) voted to amend its bylaws … Read More
In our continued efforts to represent the interests of osteopathic physicians and ensure patient access to quality care, on June 14, the AOA submitted a comprehensive response to the Senate Finance Committee on physician payment reform. Without reforms to the Medicare physician payment methodology, consolidation and physician shortages will worsen, as will patients’ ability to … Read More
On Friday, June 28, the Supreme Court rescinded the Chevron deference doctrine, which required judges to defer to agencies’ reasonable interpretations of ambiguous federal laws. This decision allows judges more freedom to impose their interpretations, potentially disrupting regulations on health care, the environment, financial regulations and technology. This decision could lead to delays in federal … Read More
As osteopathic physicians and students, your voice is crucial in shaping healthcare policy, which is why we need you to join the Osteopathic Advocacy Network (OAN) today. Through the OAN, you will engage in impactful advocacy efforts and stay informed on key issues that impact you and your patients. Additionally, each month, OAN members will … Read More
The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) is currently accepting applications for the Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery (STAR) Loan Repayment Program. This initiative offers loan repayment assistance to physicians and other healthcare professionals dedicated to treating substance use disorders. The STAR program is a vital resource for osteopathic physicians, providing significant financial relief … Read More
On May 23, the AOA submitted a statement to the House Committee on Ways and Means hearing on the collapse of private practice and the challenges facing independent medicine. The letter highlights many issues that we have heard directly from our members, including the negative impacts of healthcare consolidation, such as reduced access to care … Read More