Important advocacy news inside.
Member News
Dear RAI Members,

We would like to share the following important messages from the American College of Rheumatology, Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations, and WJ Weiser.

Your continued support of the RAI ensures that the interests of your patients, practices, and profession are well represented at every level of government.
ACR Pushes for Transparent Medicare Coverage MAC Processes

University of Iowa Physician Quoted in "Where Mental Health & Rheumatology Overlap"

A Primer on Copay Accumulator Programs

Updates from the ACR’s Committee on Rheumatology Training & Workforce Issues
CSRO Advocacy Prompts Pause on "Down Coding" Policy by MACs 

No Surprises Act Webinar (Recording)

Virtual Advocacy Day Summary

Legislation Around the Country 

Upcoming Events: State Society Advocacy Conference, Sep 9-10, Rosemont, IL; Fellows Conference, Mar 11, San Francisco, CA
National News of Note
FTC to investigate pharmacy middlemen; Wide-ranging FTC probe may bring new crackdown on PBMs
The FTC's probe could spark lawmakers in Congress and states to crack down on practices such as clawback fees and rebates, several experts said.

Despite rosier trust fund outlook, time running out to stabilize Medicare funding 
Stronger-than-expected economic recovery from COVID-19 pushed back Medicare’s go-broke date by two years, though budget hawks are warning the sunnier outlook might rely on outdated assumptions.
 
Eliminating Indirect Billing for NPs, PAs Could Save Medicare $194M

CBO Estimates Billions in Cost Savings from Drug Pricing Bills

Clinical Waste Accounts for Up to 15% of All Healthcare Spending
 
Survey finds 13% of Medicare Advantage claims denied

Providers call for more time to implement surprise billing rule
AMA Annual Meeting Highlights
Studies needed to tally true cost of unsupervised nonphysician care; Is that “resident” or “attending” a doctor? Not always, AMA warns 

Doctors shouldn’t be punished for seeking help
 
Protect physicians from workplace retaliation 

Help private practices build their part in new payment models
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