Efforts to Delay Harmful E/M Payment Proposal Gain Traction on Capitol Hill

IDSA and HIVMA have been educating members of Congress on the devastating impact on patient care and the ID/HIV workforce of the CMS proposed policies to collapse outpatient evaluation and management (E/M) codes and dramatically cut reimbursement for the most complex visits. We are urging members of Congress to ask CMS to delay the implementation of the proposal and to work with the medical community to develop an alternative that is more balanced and fair to both patients and providers. We have been working closely with many other medical societies, particularly those representing other cognitive specialties, such as the American Society for Hematology, the American College of Rheumatology and the Society for General Internal Medicine. 

In response to our advocacy, a bipartisan group of key House members, including Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), Doris Matsui (D-HI), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), circulated a sign-on letter to CMS asking for a delay in the proposed rule. The letter asks the agency to work with medical societies to develop an alternative plan that protects physicians and patients, expresses concern that the proposal was made with little input from physicians, and undervalues the time and expertise of those who treat patients with complex medical conditions.

IDSA will continue to work with Congress and other medical societies to urge a delay in implementation of the rule while allowing time for the development of alternative proposals. IDSA has also been helping to keep the issue on the forefront through media interviews and op-eds.

IDSA Comments on CMS E/M Proposal
HIVMA Comments on CMS E/M Proposal