News from AGA

What is the colonoscopy loophole?

The Affordable Care Act covers screening colonoscopies at no cost to patients as long as no polyps are found. As Dr. Siddique explains in her article, finding a polyp changes the billing code to a therapeutic colonoscopy, a reclassification that changes the procedure from a diagnostic screening to an intervention. And this means a bill is generated. This reclassification directly affects those covered by Medicare and not commercial insurers.

AGA leaders urge Congress to correct this problem

Dr. Siddique – a member of the AGA Trainee and Early Career Committee and AGA Clinical Guidelines Committee – joined other AGA leaders for AGA Advocacy Day in late September where they spoke directly to lawmakers about patients who are blindsided by this regulation. AGA supports closing this loophole to ensure patients continue to have access to quality care and preventative screenings. We encourage all members to continue to share their patient stories, like Dr. Siddique has, to help raise awareness of this issue.

AGA can help you advocate for GI

Watch an AGA webinar at www.gastro.org/webinars/CongressionalMeeting (login required) to learn more about how to set up congressional meetings in your district, or contact Navneet Buttar, AGA government and political affairs manager, at [email protected] or 240-482-3221.

[email protected]

What is the colonoscopy loophole?

The Affordable Care Act covers screening colonoscopies at no cost to patients as long as no polyps are found. As Dr. Siddique explains in her article, finding a polyp changes the billing code to a therapeutic colonoscopy, a reclassification that changes the procedure from a diagnostic screening to an intervention. And this means a bill is generated. This reclassification directly affects those covered by Medicare and not commercial insurers.

AGA leaders urge Congress to correct this problem

Dr. Siddique – a member of the AGA Trainee and Early Career Committee and AGA Clinical Guidelines Committee – joined other AGA leaders for AGA Advocacy Day in late September where they spoke directly to lawmakers about patients who are blindsided by this regulation. AGA supports closing this loophole to ensure patients continue to have access to quality care and preventative screenings. We encourage all members to continue to share their patient stories, like Dr. Siddique has, to help raise awareness of this issue.

AGA can help you advocate for GI

Watch an AGA webinar at www.gastro.org/webinars/CongressionalMeeting (login required) to learn more about how to set up congressional meetings in your district, or contact Navneet Buttar, AGA government and political affairs manager, at [email protected] or 240-482-3221.

[email protected]

What is the colonoscopy loophole?

The Affordable Care Act covers screening colonoscopies at no cost to patients as long as no polyps are found. As Dr. Siddique explains in her article, finding a polyp changes the billing code to a therapeutic colonoscopy, a reclassification that changes the procedure from a diagnostic screening to an intervention. And this means a bill is generated. This reclassification directly affects those covered by Medicare and not commercial insurers.

AGA leaders urge Congress to correct this problem

Dr. Siddique – a member of the AGA Trainee and Early Career Committee and AGA Clinical Guidelines Committee – joined other AGA leaders for AGA Advocacy Day in late September where they spoke directly to lawmakers about patients who are blindsided by this regulation. AGA supports closing this loophole to ensure patients continue to have access to quality care and preventative screenings. We encourage all members to continue to share their patient stories, like Dr. Siddique has, to help raise awareness of this issue.

AGA can help you advocate for GI

Watch an AGA webinar at www.gastro.org/webinars/CongressionalMeeting (login required) to learn more about how to set up congressional meetings in your district, or contact Navneet Buttar, AGA government and political affairs manager, at [email protected] or 240-482-3221.

[email protected]

During AGA’s annual Joint Committee weekend, 55 AGA members collectively attended 79 meetings with staff from the offices of their House representatives and senators, lobbying for the top concerns of gastroenterologists across the country, including:

• Continued coverage of patients through either the Affordable Care Act or another bill that has the patient’s best interests in mind. More specifically, one that provides coverage for those with pre-existing conditions and for children under their parents’ plan until 26 years of age, among many other important provisions.
• Changes in health care language that label a colonoscopy for cancer screening as “therapeutic,” which renders a large copay for patients.
• Increased funding for the NIH.

Participants shared experiences from their time on Capitol Hill in the AGA Community forum, and encouraged others to get involved. Here are some of their reasons why.

• Your voice matters: You are constituents – which translates to votes in the minds of representatives and senators – and providing face-to-face conversation with their staffers shows them that you care about your patients and their needs, explains Siddharth Singh, MD.
• Being consistent gets your foot in the door: Some staffers recognized and remembered previous Advocacy Day participants, like Peter Liang, MD, MPH. Personally connecting could lead to follow-up communication and advocacy efforts, says Sarah Streett, MD, AGAF.
• You’re indirectly (and sometimes directly) connecting with decision makers: Staff members from these offices work closely with the legislators who evaluate which policies to support or oppose. “So it’s important to come to Washington, build relationships, and make the case for our science, our specialty, and our patients,” says Kim Barrett, PhD, AGAF.
• Others could be advocating against you on the same issues: “I very strongly believe that it is important to keep letting our legislators know how we feel and what we believe in,” shares Deborah Proctor, MD, AGAF.
• It’s a rewarding experience: “Voice [your] concerns to your representatives who embrace the stories of how their decisions and policies affect your patients, practice, research, and institution,” explains Susan Ramdhaney, MD, AGAF.
• It’s a critical time to take action: With the current health care environment, gastroenterologists need to express the needs of their patients and profession, Dr. Streett explains.

View the full discussion and read updates from colleagues who visited with legislative staffers from California, New York, North Carolina, and Oregon in the forum, community.gastro.org.

Please contact [email protected].
 

[email protected]

During AGA’s annual Joint Committee weekend, 55 AGA members collectively attended 79 meetings with staff from the offices of their House representatives and senators, lobbying for the top concerns of gastroenterologists across the country, including:

• Continued coverage of patients through either the Affordable Care Act or another bill that has the patient’s best interests in mind. More specifically, one that provides coverage for those with pre-existing conditions and for children under their parents’ plan until 26 years of age, among many other important provisions.
• Changes in health care language that label a colonoscopy for cancer screening as “therapeutic,” which renders a large copay for patients.
• Increased funding for the NIH.

Participants shared experiences from their time on Capitol Hill in the AGA Community forum, and encouraged others to get involved. Here are some of their reasons why.

• Your voice matters: You are constituents – which translates to votes in the minds of representatives and senators – and providing face-to-face conversation with their staffers shows them that you care about your patients and their needs, explains Siddharth Singh, MD.
• Being consistent gets your foot in the door: Some staffers recognized and remembered previous Advocacy Day participants, like Peter Liang, MD, MPH. Personally connecting could lead to follow-up communication and advocacy efforts, says Sarah Streett, MD, AGAF.
• You’re indirectly (and sometimes directly) connecting with decision makers: Staff members from these offices work closely with the legislators who evaluate which policies to support or oppose. “So it’s important to come to Washington, build relationships, and make the case for our science, our specialty, and our patients,” says Kim Barrett, PhD, AGAF.
• Others could be advocating against you on the same issues: “I very strongly believe that it is important to keep letting our legislators know how we feel and what we believe in,” shares Deborah Proctor, MD, AGAF.
• It’s a rewarding experience: “Voice [your] concerns to your representatives who embrace the stories of how their decisions and policies affect your patients, practice, research, and institution,” explains Susan Ramdhaney, MD, AGAF.
• It’s a critical time to take action: With the current health care environment, gastroenterologists need to express the needs of their patients and profession, Dr. Streett explains.

View the full discussion and read updates from colleagues who visited with legislative staffers from California, New York, North Carolina, and Oregon in the forum, community.gastro.org.

Please contact [email protected].
 

[email protected]

During AGA’s annual Joint Committee weekend, 55 AGA members collectively attended 79 meetings with staff from the offices of their House representatives and senators, lobbying for the top concerns of gastroenterologists across the country, including:

• Continued coverage of patients through either the Affordable Care Act or another bill that has the patient’s best interests in mind. More specifically, one that provides coverage for those with pre-existing conditions and for children under their parents’ plan until 26 years of age, among many other important provisions.
• Changes in health care language that label a colonoscopy for cancer screening as “therapeutic,” which renders a large copay for patients.
• Increased funding for the NIH.

Participants shared experiences from their time on Capitol Hill in the AGA Community forum, and encouraged others to get involved. Here are some of their reasons why.

• Your voice matters: You are constituents – which translates to votes in the minds of representatives and senators – and providing face-to-face conversation with their staffers shows them that you care about your patients and their needs, explains Siddharth Singh, MD.
• Being consistent gets your foot in the door: Some staffers recognized and remembered previous Advocacy Day participants, like Peter Liang, MD, MPH. Personally connecting could lead to follow-up communication and advocacy efforts, says Sarah Streett, MD, AGAF.
• You’re indirectly (and sometimes directly) connecting with decision makers: Staff members from these offices work closely with the legislators who evaluate which policies to support or oppose. “So it’s important to come to Washington, build relationships, and make the case for our science, our specialty, and our patients,” says Kim Barrett, PhD, AGAF.
• Others could be advocating against you on the same issues: “I very strongly believe that it is important to keep letting our legislators know how we feel and what we believe in,” shares Deborah Proctor, MD, AGAF.
• It’s a rewarding experience: “Voice [your] concerns to your representatives who embrace the stories of how their decisions and policies affect your patients, practice, research, and institution,” explains Susan Ramdhaney, MD, AGAF.
• It’s a critical time to take action: With the current health care environment, gastroenterologists need to express the needs of their patients and profession, Dr. Streett explains.

View the full discussion and read updates from colleagues who visited with legislative staffers from California, New York, North Carolina, and Oregon in the forum, community.gastro.org.

Please contact [email protected].
 

[email protected]

The U.S. is facing an opioid epidemic – 91 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose. While all health care professionals should remain up to date on the risks associated with opioids, it is as important for GIs to understand how opioids can affect diverse parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Patients can experience GI symptoms and side effects related to the intake of opioids, including opioid-induced constipation (OIC), esophageal dysmotility, and delayed gastric emptying, according to a new AGA Clinical Practice Update published in the September 2017 issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

Because of the common use of opioid medications to treat chronic pain, the authors recommend that physicians should first consider whether any gastrointestinal symptoms are directly related to the intake of opioids. In acute administration of opioids, symptomatic remedies should be used to counter the pharmacologic effects. For OIC, the bowel function index – a clinician assessment tool to appraise severity and responsiveness to current treatment – should be used to identify chronic OIC that is not responding to first-line therapies.

The clinical practice update also outlines:

• Pharmacologic effects of opiates in different regions of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Therapeutic uses of opioid receptor agonists and antagonists in gastroenterology.
• Prevention and treatment of OIC.

[email protected]

The U.S. is facing an opioid epidemic – 91 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose. While all health care professionals should remain up to date on the risks associated with opioids, it is as important for GIs to understand how opioids can affect diverse parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Patients can experience GI symptoms and side effects related to the intake of opioids, including opioid-induced constipation (OIC), esophageal dysmotility, and delayed gastric emptying, according to a new AGA Clinical Practice Update published in the September 2017 issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

Because of the common use of opioid medications to treat chronic pain, the authors recommend that physicians should first consider whether any gastrointestinal symptoms are directly related to the intake of opioids. In acute administration of opioids, symptomatic remedies should be used to counter the pharmacologic effects. For OIC, the bowel function index – a clinician assessment tool to appraise severity and responsiveness to current treatment – should be used to identify chronic OIC that is not responding to first-line therapies.

The clinical practice update also outlines:

• Pharmacologic effects of opiates in different regions of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Therapeutic uses of opioid receptor agonists and antagonists in gastroenterology.
• Prevention and treatment of OIC.

[email protected]

The U.S. is facing an opioid epidemic – 91 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose. While all health care professionals should remain up to date on the risks associated with opioids, it is as important for GIs to understand how opioids can affect diverse parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Patients can experience GI symptoms and side effects related to the intake of opioids, including opioid-induced constipation (OIC), esophageal dysmotility, and delayed gastric emptying, according to a new AGA Clinical Practice Update published in the September 2017 issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

Because of the common use of opioid medications to treat chronic pain, the authors recommend that physicians should first consider whether any gastrointestinal symptoms are directly related to the intake of opioids. In acute administration of opioids, symptomatic remedies should be used to counter the pharmacologic effects. For OIC, the bowel function index – a clinician assessment tool to appraise severity and responsiveness to current treatment – should be used to identify chronic OIC that is not responding to first-line therapies.

The clinical practice update also outlines:

• Pharmacologic effects of opiates in different regions of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Therapeutic uses of opioid receptor agonists and antagonists in gastroenterology.
• Prevention and treatment of OIC.

[email protected]

In-district meetings with congressional representatives provide a great opportunity for AGA members to establish working relationships with legislators, and help make the voices of our profession and our patients heard.

Members of the Baylor College of Medicine gastroenterology division – Avi Ketwaroo, MD; Richa Shukla, MD; Yamini Natarajan, MD; and Jordan Shapiro, MD – had the opportunity to meet with U.S. Rep. Gene Green, a Democrat from Texas’ 29th Congressional District, as part of AGA’s efforts to link constituents with local representatives. The group discussed the importance of supporting increases in NIH funding to maintain similar levels based on biomedical research inflation, the importance of screening colonoscopy, and improving access to care by opposing the repeal of the Affordable Care Act.

Watch an AGA webinar, available in the AGA Community resource library for AGA members only (community.gastro.org) to learn more about how to set up congressional meetings in your district or contact Navneet Buttar, AGA government and political affairs manager, at [email protected] or 240-482-3221.



[email protected]

In-district meetings with congressional representatives provide a great opportunity for AGA members to establish working relationships with legislators, and help make the voices of our profession and our patients heard.

Members of the Baylor College of Medicine gastroenterology division – Avi Ketwaroo, MD; Richa Shukla, MD; Yamini Natarajan, MD; and Jordan Shapiro, MD – had the opportunity to meet with U.S. Rep. Gene Green, a Democrat from Texas’ 29th Congressional District, as part of AGA’s efforts to link constituents with local representatives. The group discussed the importance of supporting increases in NIH funding to maintain similar levels based on biomedical research inflation, the importance of screening colonoscopy, and improving access to care by opposing the repeal of the Affordable Care Act.

Watch an AGA webinar, available in the AGA Community resource library for AGA members only (community.gastro.org) to learn more about how to set up congressional meetings in your district or contact Navneet Buttar, AGA government and political affairs manager, at [email protected] or 240-482-3221.



[email protected]

In-district meetings with congressional representatives provide a great opportunity for AGA members to establish working relationships with legislators, and help make the voices of our profession and our patients heard.

Members of the Baylor College of Medicine gastroenterology division – Avi Ketwaroo, MD; Richa Shukla, MD; Yamini Natarajan, MD; and Jordan Shapiro, MD – had the opportunity to meet with U.S. Rep. Gene Green, a Democrat from Texas’ 29th Congressional District, as part of AGA’s efforts to link constituents with local representatives. The group discussed the importance of supporting increases in NIH funding to maintain similar levels based on biomedical research inflation, the importance of screening colonoscopy, and improving access to care by opposing the repeal of the Affordable Care Act.

Watch an AGA webinar, available in the AGA Community resource library for AGA members only (community.gastro.org) to learn more about how to set up congressional meetings in your district or contact Navneet Buttar, AGA government and political affairs manager, at [email protected] or 240-482-3221.



[email protected]

AGA provided comments on a proposed rule describing potential changes to the Quality Payment Program (QPP) established under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) for the 2018 performance year. AGA thanks the many members who also submitted comments to CMS to tell the agency how proposed changes will impact you.

For year two, CMS proposed many policies that increase flexibility and incentives under the QPP. However, many proposals target solo practitioners, small practices, and other eligible clinicians with special circumstances. While we support these proposals, AGA’s comments to CMS also ask for changes that are needed to make the QPP work for all gastroenterologists, such as reducing the number of points needed to avoid a payment penalty.

CMS will finalize changes to the QPP during the fall of 2017. Final changes will take effect with the performance period that begins on Jan. 1, 2018. Performance during 2018 will impact payment for services in 2020. AGA members will be notified as soon as the rule is made available by CMS.

Still unsure how to participate in year one?

Make sure your practice is prepared for the 2017 performance year. If you are eligible to participate in 2017, but choose not to, your rates will decrease by 4% in 2019. AGA’s MACRA resource center provides customized advice based on your practice situation to get you on track. It’s not too late to start, but if you wait until Oct. 2, 2017, the deadline to start submitting claims, it will be. Get started now, http://www.gastro.org/macra.

AGA provided comments on a proposed rule describing potential changes to the Quality Payment Program (QPP) established under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) for the 2018 performance year. AGA thanks the many members who also submitted comments to CMS to tell the agency how proposed changes will impact you.

For year two, CMS proposed many policies that increase flexibility and incentives under the QPP. However, many proposals target solo practitioners, small practices, and other eligible clinicians with special circumstances. While we support these proposals, AGA’s comments to CMS also ask for changes that are needed to make the QPP work for all gastroenterologists, such as reducing the number of points needed to avoid a payment penalty.

CMS will finalize changes to the QPP during the fall of 2017. Final changes will take effect with the performance period that begins on Jan. 1, 2018. Performance during 2018 will impact payment for services in 2020. AGA members will be notified as soon as the rule is made available by CMS.

Still unsure how to participate in year one?

Make sure your practice is prepared for the 2017 performance year. If you are eligible to participate in 2017, but choose not to, your rates will decrease by 4% in 2019. AGA’s MACRA resource center provides customized advice based on your practice situation to get you on track. It’s not too late to start, but if you wait until Oct. 2, 2017, the deadline to start submitting claims, it will be. Get started now, http://www.gastro.org/macra.

AGA provided comments on a proposed rule describing potential changes to the Quality Payment Program (QPP) established under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) for the 2018 performance year. AGA thanks the many members who also submitted comments to CMS to tell the agency how proposed changes will impact you.

For year two, CMS proposed many policies that increase flexibility and incentives under the QPP. However, many proposals target solo practitioners, small practices, and other eligible clinicians with special circumstances. While we support these proposals, AGA’s comments to CMS also ask for changes that are needed to make the QPP work for all gastroenterologists, such as reducing the number of points needed to avoid a payment penalty.

CMS will finalize changes to the QPP during the fall of 2017. Final changes will take effect with the performance period that begins on Jan. 1, 2018. Performance during 2018 will impact payment for services in 2020. AGA members will be notified as soon as the rule is made available by CMS.

Still unsure how to participate in year one?

Make sure your practice is prepared for the 2017 performance year. If you are eligible to participate in 2017, but choose not to, your rates will decrease by 4% in 2019. AGA’s MACRA resource center provides customized advice based on your practice situation to get you on track. It’s not too late to start, but if you wait until Oct. 2, 2017, the deadline to start submitting claims, it will be. Get started now, http://www.gastro.org/macra.

AGA has issued a new clinical guideline on the role of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in the management of IBD, published in the September 2017 issue of Gastroenterology. The guideline focuses on the application of TDM for biologic therapy, specifically anti–tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) agents and thiopurines, and addresses questions about the risks and benefits of reactive TDM, routine proactive TDM, or no TDM in guiding treatment changes. AGA’s recommendations include:

AGA has issued a new clinical guideline on the role of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in the management of IBD, published in the September 2017 issue of Gastroenterology. The guideline focuses on the application of TDM for biologic therapy, specifically anti–tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) agents and thiopurines, and addresses questions about the risks and benefits of reactive TDM, routine proactive TDM, or no TDM in guiding treatment changes. AGA’s recommendations include:

AGA has issued a new clinical guideline on the role of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in the management of IBD, published in the September 2017 issue of Gastroenterology. The guideline focuses on the application of TDM for biologic therapy, specifically anti–tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) agents and thiopurines, and addresses questions about the risks and benefits of reactive TDM, routine proactive TDM, or no TDM in guiding treatment changes. AGA’s recommendations include:

Many breakthroughs have been achieved through gastroenterological and hepatological research over the past century, forming the basis of the modern medical practice. As the charitable arm of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), the AGA Research Foundation contributes to this tradition of discovery by providing a key source of funding at a critical juncture in a young researcher’s career.

“The Research Scholar Award will have a pivotal effect on my future career,” said Michael Dougan, MD, PhD, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, 2017 Research Scholar Award recipient. “This award enables me to establish my own research infrastructure, and lay the experimental foundations for my future work as a clinician‐scientist striving to understand the complex interplay between the immune system, metabolism, and cancer.”

[email protected]

Many breakthroughs have been achieved through gastroenterological and hepatological research over the past century, forming the basis of the modern medical practice. As the charitable arm of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), the AGA Research Foundation contributes to this tradition of discovery by providing a key source of funding at a critical juncture in a young researcher’s career.

“The Research Scholar Award will have a pivotal effect on my future career,” said Michael Dougan, MD, PhD, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, 2017 Research Scholar Award recipient. “This award enables me to establish my own research infrastructure, and lay the experimental foundations for my future work as a clinician‐scientist striving to understand the complex interplay between the immune system, metabolism, and cancer.”

[email protected]

Many breakthroughs have been achieved through gastroenterological and hepatological research over the past century, forming the basis of the modern medical practice. As the charitable arm of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), the AGA Research Foundation contributes to this tradition of discovery by providing a key source of funding at a critical juncture in a young researcher’s career.

“The Research Scholar Award will have a pivotal effect on my future career,” said Michael Dougan, MD, PhD, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, 2017 Research Scholar Award recipient. “This award enables me to establish my own research infrastructure, and lay the experimental foundations for my future work as a clinician‐scientist striving to understand the complex interplay between the immune system, metabolism, and cancer.”

[email protected]

CMS released the Medicare Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) final rule, which affects hospital payments and includes provisions for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and physician payments.

Thanks to the AGA members who submitted comments to the proposed rule, CMS withdrew plans to publicly post facility accreditation reviews and correction plans. Below is a summary of AGA’s position and where CMS landed on each issue.
 

1. Public display of final accreditation surveys and plans of correction.

Summary of AGA position – AGA urged CMS to withdraw its proposal making ASC accreditation surveys open to the public. To support shared transparency objectives, AGA recommended that if CMS were to finalize its proposal, the agency should first develop standards and a framework that considers both violation severity and scope.

CMS final rule – After consideration of the public comments received, CMS will not make ASC accreditation surveys open to the public. CMS was concerned that the suggestion to have accrediting organizations post their survey reports would appear as if it was attempting to circumvent current law, which prohibits CMS from disclosing survey reports or compelling the accrediting organizations to disclose the reports themselves.
 

2. EHR Incentive Program certification requirements for payment year 2018.

Summary of AGA position – AGA supported increased flexibility for 2018 and urged CMS to allow use of EHR technology certified to the 2014 software edition OR the 2015 software edition for the 2018 EHR Incentive Program.

CMS final rule – CMS will allow health care providers to use either 2014 or 2015 CEHRT or a combination of 2014 and 2015 CEHRT for the 2018 EHR Incentive Program.
 

3. Exception for ASC-based physicians under the EHR Incentive Program for payment years 2017 and 2018.

Summary of AGA position – AGA encouraged CMS to define ASC-based as a physician or other eligible professional who provides more than 50% of Medicare billed services in an ASC. AGA was concerned that implementing a higher threshold would leave certain physicians exposed to payment penalties, because the meaningful use requirement is set at 50% or more.

CMS final rule – Unfortunately, CMS set the definition of “ASC-based” as those who provide 75% of all services in an ASC, based on previous statutory definitions.

Policy changes are effective on Oct. 1, 2017, and changes to the 2017 and 2018 EHR Incentive Program apply immediately to the 2015 and 2016 reporting period, and provide relief that will impact 2017 and 2018 payments.
 

[email protected]

CMS released the Medicare Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) final rule, which affects hospital payments and includes provisions for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and physician payments.

Thanks to the AGA members who submitted comments to the proposed rule, CMS withdrew plans to publicly post facility accreditation reviews and correction plans. Below is a summary of AGA’s position and where CMS landed on each issue.
 

1. Public display of final accreditation surveys and plans of correction.

Summary of AGA position – AGA urged CMS to withdraw its proposal making ASC accreditation surveys open to the public. To support shared transparency objectives, AGA recommended that if CMS were to finalize its proposal, the agency should first develop standards and a framework that considers both violation severity and scope.

CMS final rule – After consideration of the public comments received, CMS will not make ASC accreditation surveys open to the public. CMS was concerned that the suggestion to have accrediting organizations post their survey reports would appear as if it was attempting to circumvent current law, which prohibits CMS from disclosing survey reports or compelling the accrediting organizations to disclose the reports themselves.
 

2. EHR Incentive Program certification requirements for payment year 2018.

Summary of AGA position – AGA supported increased flexibility for 2018 and urged CMS to allow use of EHR technology certified to the 2014 software edition OR the 2015 software edition for the 2018 EHR Incentive Program.

CMS final rule – CMS will allow health care providers to use either 2014 or 2015 CEHRT or a combination of 2014 and 2015 CEHRT for the 2018 EHR Incentive Program.
 

3. Exception for ASC-based physicians under the EHR Incentive Program for payment years 2017 and 2018.

Summary of AGA position – AGA encouraged CMS to define ASC-based as a physician or other eligible professional who provides more than 50% of Medicare billed services in an ASC. AGA was concerned that implementing a higher threshold would leave certain physicians exposed to payment penalties, because the meaningful use requirement is set at 50% or more.

CMS final rule – Unfortunately, CMS set the definition of “ASC-based” as those who provide 75% of all services in an ASC, based on previous statutory definitions.

Policy changes are effective on Oct. 1, 2017, and changes to the 2017 and 2018 EHR Incentive Program apply immediately to the 2015 and 2016 reporting period, and provide relief that will impact 2017 and 2018 payments.
 

[email protected]

CMS released the Medicare Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) final rule, which affects hospital payments and includes provisions for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and physician payments.

Thanks to the AGA members who submitted comments to the proposed rule, CMS withdrew plans to publicly post facility accreditation reviews and correction plans. Below is a summary of AGA’s position and where CMS landed on each issue.
 

1. Public display of final accreditation surveys and plans of correction.

Summary of AGA position – AGA urged CMS to withdraw its proposal making ASC accreditation surveys open to the public. To support shared transparency objectives, AGA recommended that if CMS were to finalize its proposal, the agency should first develop standards and a framework that considers both violation severity and scope.

CMS final rule – After consideration of the public comments received, CMS will not make ASC accreditation surveys open to the public. CMS was concerned that the suggestion to have accrediting organizations post their survey reports would appear as if it was attempting to circumvent current law, which prohibits CMS from disclosing survey reports or compelling the accrediting organizations to disclose the reports themselves.
 

2. EHR Incentive Program certification requirements for payment year 2018.

Summary of AGA position – AGA supported increased flexibility for 2018 and urged CMS to allow use of EHR technology certified to the 2014 software edition OR the 2015 software edition for the 2018 EHR Incentive Program.

CMS final rule – CMS will allow health care providers to use either 2014 or 2015 CEHRT or a combination of 2014 and 2015 CEHRT for the 2018 EHR Incentive Program.
 

3. Exception for ASC-based physicians under the EHR Incentive Program for payment years 2017 and 2018.

Summary of AGA position – AGA encouraged CMS to define ASC-based as a physician or other eligible professional who provides more than 50% of Medicare billed services in an ASC. AGA was concerned that implementing a higher threshold would leave certain physicians exposed to payment penalties, because the meaningful use requirement is set at 50% or more.

CMS final rule – Unfortunately, CMS set the definition of “ASC-based” as those who provide 75% of all services in an ASC, based on previous statutory definitions.

Policy changes are effective on Oct. 1, 2017, and changes to the 2017 and 2018 EHR Incentive Program apply immediately to the 2015 and 2016 reporting period, and provide relief that will impact 2017 and 2018 payments.
 

[email protected]

In 1992, the AGA Research Foundation issued the first AGA-R. Robert and Sally D. Funderburg Research Award in Gastric Cancer to support research into this previously underfunded area. There have been 26 recipients of the AGA-Funderburg award to date, comprising an honor role of distinguished national leaders in gastroenterology. Each recipient has addressed different aspects of the disease, providing a dramatic improvement in the understanding and treatment of gastric cancer.

The AGA Research Foundation is thankful for the continuous funding from the Funderburg family, which has provided the opportunity for gastric cancer research discoveries that otherwise would not have been funded. Learn more about the Funderburgs and the impact of this award in AGA Perspectives, http://agaperspectives.gastro.org/reflecting-25-years-groundbreaking-gastric-cancer-research.

[email protected]

In 1992, the AGA Research Foundation issued the first AGA-R. Robert and Sally D. Funderburg Research Award in Gastric Cancer to support research into this previously underfunded area. There have been 26 recipients of the AGA-Funderburg award to date, comprising an honor role of distinguished national leaders in gastroenterology. Each recipient has addressed different aspects of the disease, providing a dramatic improvement in the understanding and treatment of gastric cancer.

The AGA Research Foundation is thankful for the continuous funding from the Funderburg family, which has provided the opportunity for gastric cancer research discoveries that otherwise would not have been funded. Learn more about the Funderburgs and the impact of this award in AGA Perspectives, http://agaperspectives.gastro.org/reflecting-25-years-groundbreaking-gastric-cancer-research.

[email protected]

In 1992, the AGA Research Foundation issued the first AGA-R. Robert and Sally D. Funderburg Research Award in Gastric Cancer to support research into this previously underfunded area. There have been 26 recipients of the AGA-Funderburg award to date, comprising an honor role of distinguished national leaders in gastroenterology. Each recipient has addressed different aspects of the disease, providing a dramatic improvement in the understanding and treatment of gastric cancer.

The AGA Research Foundation is thankful for the continuous funding from the Funderburg family, which has provided the opportunity for gastric cancer research discoveries that otherwise would not have been funded. Learn more about the Funderburgs and the impact of this award in AGA Perspectives, http://agaperspectives.gastro.org/reflecting-25-years-groundbreaking-gastric-cancer-research.

[email protected]

Talking to your patients about PPIs

AGA has developed talking points about research released associating PPIs with dementia, chronic kidney disease, and the latest research associating PPI use with all-cause mortality. These resources can help you educate your patients on the data and on the risks and benefits of using PPIs in their care.

• • PPIs and dementia: http://www.gastro.org/news_items/2017/07/20/how-to-talk-with-your-patients-about-ppis-and-dementia.
• • PPIs and chronic kidney disease: http://www.gastro.org/news_items/how-to-talk-with-patients-about-ppis-and-chronic-kidney-disease.
• • PPIs and all-cause mortality: http://www.gastro.org/news_items/a-guide-to-conversations-about-the-latest-ppi-research-results.

Talking to your colleagues about PPIs

AGA members have been discussing this new data linking PPIs to death. Weigh in by visiting the AGA Community, www.community.gastro.org.

Talking to your patients about PPIs

AGA has developed talking points about research released associating PPIs with dementia, chronic kidney disease, and the latest research associating PPI use with all-cause mortality. These resources can help you educate your patients on the data and on the risks and benefits of using PPIs in their care.

• • PPIs and dementia: http://www.gastro.org/news_items/2017/07/20/how-to-talk-with-your-patients-about-ppis-and-dementia.
• • PPIs and chronic kidney disease: http://www.gastro.org/news_items/how-to-talk-with-patients-about-ppis-and-chronic-kidney-disease.
• • PPIs and all-cause mortality: http://www.gastro.org/news_items/a-guide-to-conversations-about-the-latest-ppi-research-results.

Talking to your colleagues about PPIs

AGA members have been discussing this new data linking PPIs to death. Weigh in by visiting the AGA Community, www.community.gastro.org.

Talking to your patients about PPIs

AGA has developed talking points about research released associating PPIs with dementia, chronic kidney disease, and the latest research associating PPI use with all-cause mortality. These resources can help you educate your patients on the data and on the risks and benefits of using PPIs in their care.

• • PPIs and dementia: http://www.gastro.org/news_items/2017/07/20/how-to-talk-with-your-patients-about-ppis-and-dementia.
• • PPIs and chronic kidney disease: http://www.gastro.org/news_items/how-to-talk-with-patients-about-ppis-and-chronic-kidney-disease.
• • PPIs and all-cause mortality: http://www.gastro.org/news_items/a-guide-to-conversations-about-the-latest-ppi-research-results.

Talking to your colleagues about PPIs

AGA members have been discussing this new data linking PPIs to death. Weigh in by visiting the AGA Community, www.community.gastro.org.