AAPM&R Board of Governors Update on Definition of Rehabilitation Physician Advocacy Efforts

Members & Publications

June 25, 2019

An Update from Dr. Peter Esselman, AAPM&R President:

The AAPM&R Board of Governors is grateful to the more than 1,100 AAPM&R members who sent letters to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in response to our recent call to action to stop CMS from finalizing its proposal to weaken the definition of a rehabilitation physician. That is impressive engagement and demonstrates that many of you understand the real threat this proposal poses to patient care and to the future of inpatient rehabilitation and the specialty of physiatry. Even before the CMS proposal was published, AAPM&R was actively engaged in advocacy efforts to update the vague CMS definitions currently in place for the director of rehabilitation and rehabilitation physician in inpatient rehabilitation settings. Our efforts kicked into high gear when the proposal was released on April 17, and we want to update you on all that has transpired.

Continue reading this important update on PhyzForum.

 

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.