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Long COVID/PASC

Advocacy

AAPM&R is Calling for a Comprehensive National Plan to Address the Needs of Millions Suffering from Long COVID

According to two recent publications from the Journal of the American Medical Association, ten to thirty percent of individuals who had COVID-19 reported at least one persistent symptom up to six months after the virus left their bodies. That means 3 to 10 million Americans are experiencing symptoms of Long COVID or Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), which are varied and ongoing, including neurological challenges, cognitive problems such as brain fog, shortness of breath, fatigue, pain, and mobility issues.

AAPM&R called on President Joe Biden and Congress to gear up for the next coronavirus crisis by preparing and implementing a comprehensive national plan focused on meeting the needs of millions of individuals suffering from the long-term symptoms of COVID-19, and help them regain quality of life and return to being active members of their communities. The plan must include a commitment to three major components:

  • Resources to build necessary infrastructure to meet this crisis
  • Equitable access to care for patients
  • Research to advance medical understanding of Long COVID

PM&R physicians are uniquely qualified to help guide the multidisciplinary effort needed to develop a plan for this crisis. As a specialty, physiatrists are investigators, team leaders and problem solvers. PM&R physicians see the whole patient AND the whole picture of the rehabilitation ecosystem. Physiatrists are exactly what this crisis needs. Learn more about our Multidisciplinary PASC Collaborative, launched in March 2021, which is working on quality improvement initiatives.

AAPM&R Advocacy, Healthcare Collaborations and Partnerships, and Customized Resources to Support PM&R During This Crisis

AAPM&R is working to ensure PM&R is part of the national conversation about healthcare amidst COVID-19 and advocating for the federal support, legislation, regulation relief and resources that physiatrists need now. One way we are doing this is through our partnerships and collaborations with other specialty societies. The Academy continuously works to represent PM&R through these collaborations, and it is through these partnerships that we are able to discuss and share a variety of resources with you that you critically need.

Stay Up-to-Date

CMS Announces Relief for Clinicians, Providers, Hospitals, and Facilities Participating in Quality Reporting Programs in Response to COVID-19

Mar 23, 2020

On March 22, CMS announced it has given eligible clinicians that need to report via the Quality Payment Program's (QPP) Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) an extension or a neutral payment adjustment for 2019 reporting, due to COVID-19.

  • All clinicians, regardless of practice setting, that bill over $90,000 in allowed charges under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule OR provide care for more than 200 Medicare beneficiaries must participate in MIPS reporting annually. If you are unsure of your eligibility status, use the CMS QPP Participation Status tool to check.
  • If you are eligible for 2019 reporting, and plan on submitting data to CMS, but have not yet, the original deadline of March 31, 2020 has been pushed back to April 30, 2020.
  • If you are eligible for 2019 reporting, but unable to submit data to CMS, all eligible clinicians will qualify for the automatic extreme and uncontrollable circumstances policy and will receive a neutral (0) payment adjustment for the 2021 MIPS payment year.

CMS is currently evaluating 2020 reporting relief options. AAPM&R will continue to advocate for these requirements to be waived until the COVID-19 crisis has passed. We will monitor this situation and alert you of any updates. Please email healthpolicy@aapmr.org with any questions you may have.