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APAPAC Gaining Momentum for 2012
After a slow start in 2011, which many medical PAC's experienced, APAPAC has begun to see increased activity in the past two months. The PAC has raised over $100,000 from APA members so far in the two-year election cycle, but there is still much work to be done. In order to elect more friends of psychiatry to Congress in the crucial 2012 elections, more psychiatrists must participate in APAPAC. With the generous support of more APA members, we will be able to support candidates on both sides of the aisle who understand our views and are committed to our specialty and our patients. To strengthen our political voice and contribute to APAPAC online, just login to the APA website here. |
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Revised ACO Payment and Structure as Delineated in ACO Final Rule
The Final Rule on ACOs (Accountable Care Organizations) includes many of the suggested changes to the proposed rule for which the APA advocated. Overall, the APA is pleased with the revisions that have been made in the Final Rule. Many of these revisions to the ACO payment methodology and structure come in response to comments submitted to CMS by the APA and other medical specialty societies. You can access the Final ACO rule by clicking here.
You can access the APA's comments to the proposed rule on ACOs by clicking here.
The APA is continuing to review the ACO Final Rule. Above are revisions for which the APA advocated through the initial regulatory comment process.
Here are links to all key documents:
Text of ACO Final Rule
Text of Advanced Payment Rule
FTC/DOJ Statement on Anti Trust ACO Policy |
APA Comments on Expanding the Definition of Medical Necessity
The APA this week has sent a letter to the Office of Health Plan Standards and Compliance Assistance commenting on expanding the definition of Medical Necessity to include "conditions" in addition to illnesses and injuries. You can find this letter by clicking here. |
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Long Term Care Insurance Program Shut Down by Administration
The Department of Health and Human Services this week reported that there was "no viable path forward" to implementing the Community Living Assistance and Support Act (CLASS), which was contained within healthcare reform passed in early 2009. The CLASS Act attempted to bring forward the first-ever national program for voluntary long-term care insurance, but required the stamp of approval for actuarial soundness from the Secretary to begin. The CLASS Act had been criticized as likely to experience extreme adverse selection resulting from relatively few young, healthier people joining and paying premiums. |
