ASCRS Government relations
Advocacy
As a key pillar of our mission, ASCRS and our members advocate on behalf of our profession to Congress and the administration, including regulatory agencies, such as HHS, CMS, and FDA. ASCRS is committed to ensuring a legislative and regulatory landscape that allows members to continue providing high-quality care to patients.
ASCRS ASOA COVID-19 Advocacy Efforts
ASCRS ASOA and our coalitition partners across the medical community are seeking federal relief for physicians and practices impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.Resources for Telemedicine During COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
During the COVID-19 public health emergency, telemedicine may be an option for treating some patients. CMS has lifted existing regulations that limit the ability to bill Medicare beneficiaries for telemedicine visits. Visit our telemedicine page for full details on the emergency expansion of telemedicine and access our guide to tele-ophthalmology and our recent webinar on telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telemedicine Resources
ASCRS Government Relations: What we Do
ASCRS advocates on behalf of our members on Capitol Hill and to regulatory agencies. We are committed to preserving access to high-quality specialty care. ASCRS members are engaged in the political process through eyePAC, our nonpartisan political action committee, and the eyeContact grassroots program.
Dispelling the Myths about the Cataract Episode-Based Cost Measure: What's Included and What's Not
This webinar will assist ASCRS and ASOA members understand the 2020 Cataract Episode-Based Cost Measure that is included in the 2020 MIPS Cost Category.
ASCRS MACRA Center
ASCRS and ASOA members have complete access to in-depth, ophthalmology-specific information on MACRA. The MACRA Center covers the Quality Payment Program (QPP) that includes MIPS and APMs.
2020 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule
Additional information on understanding the impact of CMS' 2020 payment policies.Read more
The Latest from Washington Watch
ASCRS Government Relations Staff are keeping an eye on the issues for you.
ASCRS Priority Issues
Increasing the Value of E/M Visits Included in Global Codes and Eliminating the Add-On Code
Increasing the value of post-operative E/M visits included in 10- and 90-day global surgery codes; and the elimination or non-budget neutral implementation of the E/M add on code.
Medicare Physician Payment: Positive Updates
Congress must extend positive physician payment updates to the conversion factor to ensure that Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) and the programs under MACRA continue to be viable options for ophthalmologists.
MACRA Regulatory Reforms
ASCRS strongly opposes certain provisions of the 2020 final rule pertaining to the QPP, including potentially making its new participation pathway for 2021, the MIPS Value Pathways (MVPs) mandatory, inclusion of FDA-approved pass-through drugs in the cataract surgery episode-based cost measure, and removing “topped-out” ophthalmology measures.
Regulatory Relief
Advocating for regulatory changes that will alleviate the administrative burden on practices, so that physicians can focus on providing high-quality care to patients.
Support Advocacy through EyePAC
eyePac is a voluntary, non-partisan political action committee representing ophthalmic surgeons. Your investment in eyePAC helps ASCRS support candidates for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives who fight for the issues important to you and your practice.
Key Regulatory Resources
ASCRS advocates to regulatory agencies for policies that preserve and expand access to high-quality ophthalmic care. We provide our members with in-depth resources to understand and comply with regulatory programs.
ASCRS and the Alliance of Specialty Medicine
ASCRS is a member of the the Alliance of Specialty Medicine, a coalition of 14 “like-minded” specialty medical groups focused on preserving access to specialty care.Read More
Contact ASCRS Government Relations
Main: 703-591-2220