AAHKS Provides Comments on 2015 Proposed Physician Fee Schedule

On behalf of AAHKS, President Brian S. Parsley, MD, submitted comments to CMS on the Proposed Physician Fee Schedule for 2015. Dr. Parsley urged no further reductions in fees for arthroplasty and that CMS proceed carefully in adopting any future expansion of the Value-Based Payment Modifier program for 2017. He expressed AAHKS support for continuing the 90-day global surgical period for arthroplasty procedures, contrary to a CMS proposal. Dr. Parsley also expressed concerns that the proposed changes to the Physician Payment Sunshine Act would result in more confusion for consumers and discourage physician participation in important medical education opportunities. “Going forward, AAHKS appreciates the opportunity to work with CMS and other stakeholders to develop more objective tools for valuing physician services in general,” he said. Read the full letter.