On Sunday, March 18, Dennis R. Frisch, DPM, was installed as president of APMA by Ross A. Taubman, DPM. Dr. Frisch addressed the house, outlining APMA’s accomplishments and his goals for the coming year. He promised to devote his energy toward moving forward together as well as the importance of APMA membership.

The APMA House of Delegates took time on Saturday to honor the memory of noted coding expert and APMA consultant Harry Goldsmith, DPM, of California, who passed away on February 7.

Critical deadlines for MIPS Performance Year 2017, as well as the Medicare EHR Incentive Program 2018 adjustments are approaching.

Attention Young Physicians: Don’t Miss This Advocacy Overview Designed Just for You

APMA is offering a special advocacy opportunity designed specifically for young physicians: the CEO Briefing. Space is limited, so you’re encouraged to register early.

New MIPS FAQs Available on APMA.org

A new set of FAQs addresses the MIPS quality payment program. It is available on the MACRA resource page, along with other valuable MACRA-related tools.

APMA celebrated a major advocacy victory this week when CMS withdrew proposed rule CMS-6012-P, which would have required previously exempted, qualified practitioners including podiatrists to obtain additional certification and licensing to furnish and fabricate orthotics and prosthetics.

APMA staff and members from the Massachusetts Podiatric Medical Society (MPMS) recently attended the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), August 6–9 in Boston. NCSL is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the nation's 50 states, commonwealths, and territories.

VA Provider Equity Act Passes in House

The VA Provider Equity Act (HR 1058) was passed unanimously in the House on July 24. The APMA-crafted legislation aims to resolve ongoing recruitment and retention issues for podiatrists employed by the Veterans Health Administration (VA).

The National is an incredible event for early-career physicians. Consider these numbers ...

APMA Executive Director and CEO James R. Christina, DPM, explains how to avoid a MIPS penalty.

John Evans, DPM, was honored with the Award of Excellence on Sunday, March 19. Dr. Evans was nominated by Crystal Holmes, DPM, president of the Michigan Podiatric Medical Association.

Ira Kraus, DPM, was installed as the president of APMA on Sunday, March 19, by APMA Past President Michael J. King, DPM.

2017 State Advocacy Forum Registration Open, YP Scholarships

Have you registered for the 2017 State Advocacy Forum, May 12–13 in Salt Lake City? APMA will award three scholarships to young physicians to attend!

Social media has woven its way into every part of our lives, including health care. According to MediaBistro.com, 40 percent of those surveyed reported information they see via social media impacts how they handle their health. How are you using social media to help promote your practice?

Apply for Wound Care Scholarship Today

HMP Communications (HMP) and the North American Center for Continuing Medical Education (NACCME), executors of the annual Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC) Spring and Fall meetings, are again offering a Wound Care Podiatrist Scholarship. The scholarship is open to any APMA member who has demonstrated exceptional clinical skills and an intense dedication to caring for patients with wounds.

Practicing medicine today is so extremely challenging that we often spend a lot of energy focusing on all that is wrong with our current health-care delivery system.

2017 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Released

CMS has released the final CY 2017 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. APMA will review the information during this weekend's 16th Annual Joint CAC-PIAC Meeting.

This morning, CMS announced the final rule implementing the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and Advanced Alternative Payment Model (APM) provisions in MACRA, which are collectively known as the Quality Payment Program.

When ICD-10 was adopted on October 1, 2015, CMS instructed Medicare contractors to not deny claims billed under the Part B physician fee schedule through either automated medical review or complex medical record review based solely on the specificity of the ICD-10 diagnosis code as long as the provider used a valid code from the correct family. This policy will end on October 1, 2016.

CMS announced today that it will allow physicians participating in MACRA’s Quality Payment Program four options to comply with the first year of the law and avoid penalties. APMA, along with other physician specialties, have called on CMS to delay implementation and provide more flexibility in the program.

APMA Responds to Proposal to Fix Medicare Appeals Backlog

APMA submitted comments on the proposed rule by CMS and the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals (OMHA) on Monday, August 29.

Private Insurance Resource Guide (PIRG)

The Private Insurance Resource Guide (PIRG) is an online, detailed guide just for members on elements of insurance related to the practice of podiatry.

APMA News Brief is sent to members each Thursday.

Check out last week's most-clicked APMA News Brief story.

APMA presented on social media to a standing room only crowd.

Don't miss a thing at The National with our meetings app.

APMA Chides CMS for MACRA Proposed Implementation Timeframe; Calls for more Flexibility

APMA submitted comments to CMS on June 27 addressing concerns with the proposed rule implementing the new Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and Alternative Payment Models (APMs) established by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA).

APMA Update on AAOS and VA Bill

APMA recently updated members on how it’s addressing AAOS’s efforts to derail the VA Provider Equity Act. Take a look at the timeline below for a quick rundown of events to bring you up to the present.

APMA Coding Committee Convenes This Week

The APMA Coding Committee will meet on Friday, June 3, to discuss hot topics in coding, including ICD-10, X modifiers, global day post-op evaluations, and CPT updates.

Humana and Cigna Coverage Policies Corrected

APMA is pleased to report two recent reimbursement victories with Humana and Cigna.

The APMA Coding Resource Center (CRC) is the single best foot and ankle coding tool available, customized to meet your needs as a foot and ankle specialist. Look for new design and better loading speeds this summer.

APMA is evaluating the proposed rule from CMS on physician payment reform.

APMA Working to Protect Members from X-Ray Reimbursement Reduction

Recently, a number of APMA members have expressed concerns to APMA on the possible reduction in reimbursement they might face, under the Medicare film/cassette imaging service payment reduction provision in the 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act.

APMA Takes Action on Student Recruitment Concerns

Strong concerns about student recruitment—specifically, a low applicant pool—were raised at the APMA House of Delegates meeting in March.

Paul Kinberg, DPM, was honored with the Award of Excellence on Sunday, March 20. Dr. Kinberg was nominated by Leslie Campbell, DPM. The award is presented to members in good standing in recognition of outstanding national accomplishments in scientific, professional, or civic endeavors. Nominees must have demonstrated outstanding service to APMA.

APMA President Phillip. E. Ward, DPM, presented APMA Past President Joseph Caporusso, DPM, with the Distinguished Service Citation on Saturday at the 96th Annual APMA House of Delegates in Washington, DC.

On Sunday, March 20, R. Daniel Davis, DPM, was installed as president of APMA by Marc Lederman, DPM. Dr. Davis addressed the house, outlining APMA’s accomplishments and his goals for the coming year. He promised his high energy and passion for podiatry as the cornerstone of his presidency.

For those podiatrists looking for more in-depth learning than a standard lecture when they attend a foot and ankle conference, The National offers three hands-on workshops.

Deadline to Register with Specialty Registry February 29

Registry reporting remains a significant aspect of the CMS EHR Incentive Program and Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS), and will continue to be into the future with the Merit-based Incentive Payment System. In order to meet meaningful use requirements (Objective 10 Measure 3) eligible professionals must submit their intent or connect to a specialty registry by today, February 29.

APMA Executive Director and CEO James R. Christina, DPM, invites you to attend The National 2016.

SGR Reform Clears Senate; President Obama to Sign Legislation

SGR reform has now cleared the Senate after passing in the House nearly two weeks earlier. President Obama is expected to sign the legislation into law soon.

APMA’s 95th House of Delegates meeting convened in Washington, DC, on Saturday, March 21.

Frank Spinosa, DPM, presented his President’s Award to James A. Lamb, retired executive director of the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS), in recognition of his 18-year tenure at ABFAS and his many contributions to the profession.

APMA is pleased to announce that James R. Christina, DPM, has been confirmed as its new executive director and CEO. Dr. Christina was selected after a lengthy national search process conducted by JDG Associates executive search firm and confirmed by the House of Delegates today during its annual meeting.

Podiatrists, Other Medical Professionals Report Tax Scam

Several podiatrists from different states alerted APMA last week that they have been victims of tax scams and possible identify theft. After further research by APMA, it appears that the same or similar tax scam schemes have targeted all types of medical providers.

To enhance the already robust selection of tracks available through the educational program at The National, this year attendees will be able to receive additional focused knowledge through small group discussions hosted by APMA affiliates on Friday, July 24, from 1:30–5:30 p.m. The group discussions are designed for more intimate learning than general lectures and explore topics of specific interest to the affiliate host.

National Academies of Practice Seeks New Members

The National Academies of Practice (NAP) is seeking nominations for deserving individuals to be inducted within its ranks. NAP is dedicated to affordable, accessible, coordinated quality health care for all. NAP believes that health-care practice that has an interprofessional foundation and addresses a person as a whole provides better health care and better preventive care.

Volunteers Sought for ICD-10 End-to-End Testing in Spring; Applications Due January 21

A second sample group of providers will have the opportunity to participate in ICD-10 end-to-end testing with Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) and the Common Electronic Data Interchange (CEDI) contractor April 26–May 1.

The 2014 APMA Young Physicians’ Institute (YPI) took place October 10–12 in Franklin, TN, at the headquarters of the Podiatry Insurance Company of America (PICA). During the three day meeting, more than 50 young physicians, residents, podiatric medical students, and APMA Trustees gathered for leadership training, practice management advice, and networking.

Kyle Bruce, DPM, is APMA's newest public health fellow. Applications for the 2015&#*8211;2016 fellowship are due November 7.

APMA Submits Comments on the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for CY 2015 Proposed Rule

APMA submitted a comment letter to CMS on its proposed rule for the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) for CY 2015 on August 29. Under the MPFS proposed rule, podiatrists on average should expect to see no change to their estimated total allowed charges in 2015.

APMA Continues Lobbying for VA Parity

APMA has aggressively lobbied Congress to resolve the ongoing pay disparity faced by podiatrists employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Now, we need our members to take the torch and continue to advocate while Congress is on recess.

CMS Proposed Rule on Meaningful Use Reporting in 2014

CMS and the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) released a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on May 20 that would allow providers participating in the EHR Incentive Programs (meaningful use) to use the 2011 Edition of certified electronic health record technology (CEHRT) for calendar and fiscal year 2014.

Several key initiatives were addressed at the 94th House of Delegates.

APMA Executive Director and CEO Glenn B. Gastwirth, DPM, announced that he will extend his commitment to APMA by a year. In December 2013, Dr. Gastwirth announced plans to retire in May 2015.

APMA Executive Director and CEO Glenn B. Gastwirth, DPM, presented his Executive Director's Award to Merz North America during the 2014 APMA House of Delegates meeting.

Compromise SGR Overhaul Bill: An Opportunity for Podiatric Medicine

HELLPP Act language that was included in Senate Medicare SGR reform bill was dropped in the compromise bill, but there is still opportunity for podiatric medicine in other legislation.

APMA Meets with CMS Regarding Sunshine Act Reporting Exemption

APMA and the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons met with representatives of the CMS Center for Program Integrity and Office of Legislation, and Congressman Danny Davis (D-IL) last Tuesday about the Physician Payment Sunshine Act (PPSA) in the congressman’s office.

New APMA Medicare Provider and DMEPOS Supplier Revalidation Resource

APMA’s Health Policy and Practice department introduces a new resource for Medicare provider and DMEPOS supplier revalidation.

A new proposed rule from the Department of Defense would allow podiatrists to prescribe and dispense durable medical equipment (DME). This is a regulation APMA has sought to change for more than five years.

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld shares his story of how an APMA member podiatrist ended his 30-year struggle with heel pain.

AACPM and CPME Respond to Need for Additional Residency Positions

Learn how APMA and CPME are working to address the podiatric residency shortage.

Due to partisan gridlock in Washington, D.C., the federal government will encounter an automatic budget "sequester" starting March 1, 2013. Learn more about how these budget cuts will impact APMA members and podiatric physicians.

In a landslide victory, Brad Wenstrup, DPM, has won the Ohio second district congressional race by a 59-41 percent vote. Dr. Wenstrup is the first ever podiatrist to be elected to the US House of Representatives and APMA congratulates him on this victory.

APMA responds to the Supreme Court's ruling upholding most of the Affordable Care Act.