AAPM&R Comments on Patient Relationship Categories and Codes

Members & Publications

August 16, 2016

On Monday, August 15, AAPM&R commented on a Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Request for Information (RFI) on Patient Relationship Categories and Codes. Among the many provisions of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA), CMS is required to collaborate with physicians, practitioners and other stakeholders to improve Resource Use Measurement. AAPM&R submitted comments urging CMS to conduct a pilot of patient relationship codes and engage with physicians and their staff to increase education and reduce burden. A draft list of patient relationship codes will be released by CMS in November 2016.  

Read the comments here. 

AAPM&R also signed on to another letter, along with the American Pain Society (APS), the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA), the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR), and the Spine Interventional Society (SIS). Read the letter here.

Legislation Introduced to Alleviate Impact of Conversion Factor Cut for 2021

Nov 09, 2020

Last month, two bills were introduced in the House proposing solutions to the estimated 10.6% Physician Fee Schedule conversion factor cut expected to go into effect January 1, 2021.  The bills offer some relief to the cut, but do not reflect a comprehensive or long-term solution.  AAPM&R has therefore chosen to remain neutral regarding these bills. 

Your Academy continues to advocate for a permanent solution to the conversion factor cut while maintaining the important payment increases to office and outpatient evaluation and management services.