ACS Advocacy Brief: January 26, 2023

ACS Joins Letter Urging Substantive Medicare Payment Reform

The ACS has joined more than 100 organizations in sending a letter to all members of the US House of Representatives and Senate emphasizing the need for substantive Medicare payment reform in the 118th Congress. The letter urges Congress to hold hearings and work with all stakeholders on exploring long-term payment solutions. 

In the late-December 2022 omnibus federal spending bill, the ACS and other healthcare organizations were disappointed that Congress failed to prevent the full 4.5% Medicare payment cut from taking effect. While the College and its Fellows applied considerable grassroots efforts to prevent the cuts in this annual spending bill, the ACS has long advocated for more permanent solutions to Medicare payment challenges.

As the letter states, “Congress has a unique opportunity to adopt comprehensive, transformative reforms to the Medicare payment system over the next several years. Such reform is imperative to sustaining medical practices and ensuring a robust workforce to care for the growing number of America’s seniors.”

The ACS remains committed to advocating for a Medicare payment system that incentivizes high-value care for seniors, appropriately compensates surgeons for their time and skill, and minimizes administrative burdens on physicians and their practices. By joining with other organizations at the beginning of this Congressional session, the College hopes to keep payment reforms among the priorities to be addressed in 2023.

Deadline Extended: Apply for 2023 Leadership & Advocacy Summit Resident Travel Award by February 3

The ACS continues to offer a limited number of scholarships to Resident Members who are interested in attending the upcoming Leadership & Advocacy Summit, April 15–18, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, DC. This annual Summit is a dual meeting that offers specialized educational sessions focused on effective surgeon leadership, interactive advocacy training, and coordinated visits to Congressional offices. Attending this conference alongside surgery and policy experts represents a valuable opportunity for young surgeons to make an impact in their institutions and in their field.

This scholarship award will cover up to $500 in housing and transportation costs, which may also include your registration fees. Note: You must be a US Resident member in good standing with ACS to be eligible for one of these scholarships.

Scholarships will be awarded to a broad representation of all facets of ACS Resident members. Special consideration will be given for first-time attendees of the Leadership & Advocacy Summit, as well as candidates in the senior years of their residency programs. More than 75 resident scholarship award winners have attended the conference in past years.

Recipients must stay for all programming on Sunday, April 16, and Monday, April 17, with preference given for those planning to stay through the Congressional Lobby Day on Tuesday, April 18. Read more about the travel award, including requirements, and apply online by the Friday, February 3, deadline. 

Have a Voice in Addressing Challenges in Surgery: Join ACS Delegation to the AMA

The ACS is seeking a Resident Member to join its delegation to the American Medical Association (AMA). As a Delegate, the resident will advocate for ACS positions and priorities at the AMA interim and annual meetings. In addition, he or she will serve as liaison to the ACS Resident and Associates Society, which meets at the annual ACS Clinical Congress, for a 3-year term. Travel expenses to these three meetings will be paid for by the ACS.

The ideal candidate will have significant experience attending the AMA Medical Student Section, a strong interest in advocacy and health policy, and at least 3 years remaining at their training program. Additionally, letters of support from the candidate’s program director and chair are required, verifying that the resident will be excused from call coverage to allow for participation in the required meetings.

If you are interested or know a resident who might be, submit a CV, letter of intent, and letters of support from Program Director and Chair to Kristin McDonald, ACS Chief of Legislative and Political Affairs, at kmcdonald@facs.org by Friday, March 3.

Learn about Revamped Hernia Coding, Major Changes to Medicare Billing at In-Person ACS Coding Courses

Register for an ACS/Karen Zupko & Associates (KZA) Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding course February 2–3, 2023 in Las Vegas, NV or March 16–17, 2023 in Orlando, FL. With Medicare and third-party payor policy and coding changes taking effect in 2023—some with significant potential reductions in payment for surgeons—it is imperative that surgeons and their coding staff have accurate and up-to-date information to protect reimbursements while optimizing efficiency.

• February 2–3, 2023
  Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV
  Reservation Phone: 866-227-5944
  Register today!
• March 16–17, 2023
  Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort, Bonnet Creek, FL
  Room rate and cutoff date: $249, 2/14/2023
  Reservation Phone: 407-390-2300
  Register today!

Both courses include sessions on Hospital E/M & Critical Care Coding, Thursday 1:00–5:00 pm, and General Surgery Coding, Friday 8:00 am–4:00 pm.

ACS members and their staff receive a registration discount. If you have any issues with completing your registration, email KZA at education@karenzupko.com or call 312-642-8310.

For more information or questions about the 2023 ACS live coding workshops, visit the KZA website or send an e-mail to practicemanagement@facs.org.

Session #1: Reporting Hospital E/M Codes and Split/Shared and Critical Care Services Course

Topics covered will include E/M codes for inpatient/facility, major changes in CPT code selection, and major changes to Medicare’s billing rules for both split/shared services and critical care.

Session #2: General Surgery: Revenue and RVU Optimization Course

Topics covered will include discussion of the revamped abdominal hernia codes, including use of the same CPT codes for both laparoscopic and open procedures and basing codes on the total size of the hernia. The revised hernia codes have been a topic of significant interest for general surgeons and administrators alike, so make sure to learn the latest from the experts.

In addition, this second session will cover coding for endoscopy, colorectal, and breast, among other procedures.