Legislative Alerts
The Arrhythmia Intervention Society (AIS) is focused on advocating for policies that enhance the practice of electrophysiology and improve patient access to cutting-edge treatments.
As we construct a comprehensive policy advocacy page for our members, we are highlighting the ongoing legislative efforts in Congress that impact electrophysiologists:
1. Medicare Payment Reform
The Society is collaborating with the ACC and other organizations to push for comprehensive Medicare payment reform. The Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2023 and related bills aim to address the budget neutrality constraints that have led to annual cuts to physician payments. AIS supports efforts to increase the budget neutrality threshold to $53 million, which would help mitigate the effects of these cuts and ensure that reimbursement better reflects the increasing complexity of electrophysiology services.
2. Expanding Access to Electrophysiology Procedures in ASCs
AIS continues to push for expanded access to complex electrophysiology procedures in ASCs. This effort aims to enable more ASCs to offer treatments such as catheter ablations, which have been shown to be both safe and cost-effective in these settings. The proposed inclusion of more procedures in the ASC setting has garnered support from multiple societies, but continued advocacy is necessary to ensure this change is reflected in CMS’s covered procedure list.
3. Recognition and Reimbursement for Conduction System Pacing
AIS is advocating for the broader inclusion of conduction system pacing (CSP) procedures in reimbursement schedules. This includes lobbying for specific CPT codes that reflect the complexity and benefits of CSP, such as His-bundle and left bundle branch pacing. Our efforts include working with CMS and other stakeholders to develop a coding structure that accurately captures these new technologies, ensuring clinicians are adequately reimbursed for adopting these advanced pacing modalities.
4. Facility-Agnostic Procedure Reimbursement
AIS is advocating for a facility-agnostic reimbursement model that recognizes the value of electrophysiology procedures, whether performed in hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs), Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs), or office-based labs. This approach ensures that the location of service does not unfairly influence reimbursement rates, enabling greater patient access to these specialized procedures. CMS has recently made updates to the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) rules, which include adjustments to procedure rates for ASCs AIS is engaging with policymakers to refine this approach further and achieve equitable payment structures across all facilities.
5. Expanding Federal Support for Arrhythmia Research
AIS is also advocating for increased federal funding for arrhythmia research through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other agencies. The Society is pushing for specific funding earmarks that focus on advancing treatments for atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. These efforts are critical for driving innovation and ensuring the U.S. remains a leader in electrophysiology research and development
6. Advocacy for Telehealth and Remote Monitoring
AIS supports the extension of telehealth flexibilities introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic and is pushing for policies that make these changes permanent. This includes advocating for the inclusion of telehealth services and remote monitoring technologies in standard Medicare reimbursement models to ensure electrophysiology patients have access to continuous care, regardless of their location.
Other Legislative Alerts:
a) Prior Authorization Reform under the "Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act: Issue: The "Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act" aims to streamline prior authorization processes within Medicare Advantage plans.
b) Prior Authorization Reform under the "Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act: Issue: The "Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act" aims to streamline prior authorization processes within Medicare Advantage plans.
c) Telehealth Policy Extensions and Reimbursement: Issue: Temporary telehealth flexibilities granted during the COVID-19 pandemic are set to expire without legislative action to extend them.
d) Medical Liability Reform: Issue: Efforts to reform medical malpractice laws are ongoing, aiming to create a fairer system for both providers and patients.
e) Medical Device Regulation and Cybersecurity: Issue: The FDA has increased its focus on the cybersecurity of medical devices, including those used in electrophysiology.
f) Medical Liability Reform: Issue: Efforts to reform medical malpractice laws are ongoing, aiming to create a fairer system for both providers and patients.
g) Environmental Regulations Affecting Device Disposal: Issue: New regulations aim to reduce the environmental impact of medical waste, including the disposal of electrophysiology devices.
h) Patient Data Privacy Enhancements: Issue: Updates to data privacy laws, including potential changes to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), may affect patient data handling.
Future Actions for AIS
To achieve these goals, AIS will focus on the following strategies:
Strengthening Partnerships: Collaborate with other cardiovascular societies, such as the ACC and HRS, to present a unified voice on legislative matters.
Engaging with Lawmakers: Increase direct engagement with Congress and CMS officials to push for policy changes that reflect the needs of the electrophysiology community.
Raising Member Awareness: Provide regular legislative updates and action alerts to members, empowering them to engage in grassroots advocacy.
Hosting Advocacy Events: Utilize forums such as the annual Brain and Heart Symposium to spotlight critical legislative issues and share strategies for navigating the evolving regulatory landscape.
Call to Action
We encourage all AIS members to stay informed and participate in our advocacy initiatives. Join us in making your voice heard to shape the future of electrophysiology. For more information and to get involved, visit our Legislative Action Center and connect with our advocacy team.
AIS will continue to update members on key developments and opportunities to support our mission of securing fair reimbursement and enhancing patient access to life-saving electrophysiology procedures.
