Earlier this month, CSRO included a summary of actions to date regarding the cyberattack on Chang Healthcare – to review those details click here.

Since that publication, as a way to assist providers facing challenges as a result of the Change Healthcare cyberattack, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced an extension of the 2023 Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) data submission period and reopening the 2023 MIPS Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances (EUC) exception application due to the Change Healthcare cybersecurity incident. MIPS eligible clinicians now have until April 15, 2024, to submit their data or an exception application. Additional information can be found here.

CMS also issued frequently asked questions (FAQs) for providers on the newly established Change Healthcare/ Optum Payment Disruption (CHOPD) Accelerated and Advance Payment (AAP), as well as guidance to States on providing relief to Medicaid providers following the cyberattack.  

Finally, the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the launch of an investigation into UnitedHealth Group (UHG) and Change Healthcare with a focus on “whether a breach of protected health information occurred and Change Healthcare’s and UHG’s compliance” with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules. Read more in the open letter from OCR. 

CSRO will continue to monitor this situation and provide status updates as appropriate.

Following enactment of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) revised the CY 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) conversion factor (CF) to $33.29, representing a modest improvement over the previously finalized CF for CY 2024 set at $32.74. The newly updated CY 2024 CF is effective March 9, 2024 through December 31, 2024.

As a reminder, at the outset of CY 2024, physicians absorbed a -3.37 percent reduction in their PFS rates, but Congressional action partially addressed the cut as described on CMS’ website.

Long term reforms are still needed to address key challenges that plague the Medicare physician payment system, including the lack of an inflation adjustment, revisions to budget neutrality requirements, and routine updates to practice expense costs. 

CSRO's Vice President of Advocacy & Government Affairs Dr. Madelaine Feldman discusses the recent ERISA health plan lawsuits, why the rheumatology community should be taking note, and how this information can help rheumatologists better care for their patients.

Read more in the latest edition of Rheum for Action, CSRO's advocacy column authored by Dr. Madelaine Feldman and produced in partnership with Rheumatology News (PDF available here).

Save the date to join CSRO as we meet with Federal policymakers to highlight legislation of interest to the rheumatology community!

Rheumatologists around the country are invited to log in on July 10 from 10am - 4pm ET for live conversations with health care leaders from the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives.

Your participation amplifies the advocacy of CSRO and helps ensure that the issues impacting our patients and livelihood are heard and understood by members of Congress. Block time on your calendars today and stay tuned for more details and registration.

Business of Rheumatology: Returning Spring 2024

CSRO's virtual seminar series to help support rheumatology practices in building and strengthening their businesses.

Virtual Advocacy Day: July 10, 2024

Mark your calendar to advocate alongside CSRO as we host live conversations with health care leaders from the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives.

CSRO Advocacy Conference: September 20-22, 2024

Save the date to join us in Nashville for CSRO's annual Advocacy Conference! 

State Society Conferences:

CSRO's state rheumatology society members host their own annual meetings throughout the year. Find a listing of these state-specific conferences on our website.

What's Happening in the States

CSRO tracks legislative activity relevant to the rheumatology community and their patients. Check out the list below to see the status of CSRO priority bills from the past two weeks, and click here to view a full status report of CSRO priority bills.

Be sure to check out our interactive legislative map tool for additional details.

Alabama

Rebate Pass Through

• HB 238: Referred to Insurance committee 

Alaska

White Bagging

• HB 226: Scheduled but not heard

Arizona

Non-medical Switching

• SB 1164: House committee recommends do pass as amended

Colorado

White Bagging

• HB 1010: Appropriations refers to committee of the whole

Gold Card

• HB 1149: Introduced in the Senate and assigned to Health and Human Services

Florida

Accumulators

• SB 228: Died
• HB 363: Died

Non-medical Switching

• SB 924: Died
• HB 1543: Died

Biomarker Testing

• HB 885: Passed the Senate

Idaho

White Bagging

• S1389: Retained on the calendar 

Illinois

Maximizer Programs

• SB3307: Re-referred to assignments committee

White Bagging

• SB 3225: Re-referred to assignments committee

Indiana

Biomarker Testing

• SB 273: Signed by the Governor

Iowa

Biomarker Testing

• SF 2159: Placed on calendar for unfinished business
• HF 2492: Committee report recommending amendment and passage

Gold Card

• HF 2488: Amendment filed 

Kentucky

Prior Authorization - Gold Card

• HB 318: Returned to Banking and Insurance committee

White Bagging

• SB 188: Reported favorably

Maryland

Accumulators, Maximizers & Alternative Funding Programs

• HB 879: Referred to Finance
• SB 595: Hearing 3/28

Minnesota

Gold Card

• SF 3532: Reported do pass as amended and re-referred to Health and Human Services
• HF 3578: Committee reported do pass as amended and re-referred to Commerce Finance and Policy

Missouri

White Bagging

• HB 2267: Referred to Rules committee

New Jersey

Step Therapy

• A1825: Reported by assembly committee with amendments

New Hampshire

Accumulators

• SB 354: Committee reports ought to pass with amendment

Rebate Pass Through

• SB 555: Committee recommends passage

Oregon

White Bagging

• HB 4012: Amended to only oncology products, signed by the Senate President

Accumulators

• HB 4113: Passed the Senate & signed by the Senate President  

Rhode Island

White Bagging

• S2086: Passed the Senate and referred to House Health and Human Services

Step Therapy

• H7822: Committee recommends measure be held for further study

Tennessee

Alternative Funding and Maximizer Programs

• HB 2170: Placed on insurance committee calendar
• SB 2008: Placed on Senate Commerce and Labor committee calendar for 3/27

Vermont

Utilization Management Reform

• H766: Transmitted to the Senate and referred to committee on Health and Welfare

Prescription Drug Affordability Board

• S98: Committee recommends amendment and passage

West Virginia

Biomarker Testing

• HB 4753: Removed from calendar by the Rules committee 

Action Center

Use CSRO's convenient online platform to easily find out who your elected officials are and engage with them directly.

Advocacy Council

Amplify your voice by assembling with other like-minded individuals to enhance CSRO’s advocacy initiatives.

Career Center

Locate the perfect fit whether you're looking for new career opportunities or trying to find the right candidate.

Legislative Map Tool

Find your state on our interactive map tool to learn about current or proposed policy and ways you can take action to make an impact.

Payer Issues Reporting Form

Request assistance with any payer relation issues that may be impacting your patients or office.

Policy Correspondence

Easily access all of CSRO’s policy letters submitted to payers, state, and federal governments as an informational resource.

Rheum for Action

Learn about the latest advocacy issues in CSRO's advocacy column produced in partnership with Rheumatology News.

Step Therapy Cover Sheets

Review CSRO's state-specific step therapy materials that help guide practices in gaining an exemption from step therapy protocols.

Questions?

Please visit the CSRO website for other news and updates, and do not hesitate to contact us with any questions at info@csro.info.