Federal Watch
July 6th, 2012
AGS is tracking developments in Washington and will be providing weekly updates for our readers via our List Serv, americangeriatrics.org, our Facebook page, and our Twitter feed. This week, we update you on last week's historic Supreme Court health care ruling as well as AGS' support of National Memory Screening Day. We also provide an update on a new study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry which points to the Medicare coverage gap as a potential cause in older adults foregoing antidepressants. We remind you of two upcoming National Provider Calls regarding new input on the Physician Compare Website, and the Medicare Shared Savings Program and Advance Payment Model. Finally, we encourage you to take action by contacting your legislators, and urging them to fully address and put an end to the flawed SGR formula.
Supreme Court Upholds Health Law Mandate
Last week, we shared the historic news of the Supreme Court decision that upheld most of President Barack Obama's health care law, ruling that Congress did not overstep its power by requiring nearly all Americans to buy health insurance. Although a huge win for the older adult population, the health care law still faces legal challenges moving forward. As the dialogue continues and evolves, AGS will keep you up to speed. For more information on what's to come, please click here.
AGS Supports National Memory Screening Day 2012
The AGS and the AGS Foundation for Health in Aging have once again signed on in support of the Alzheimer's Foundation of America's National Memory Screening Day. The Screening Day will take place on November 13, 2012. Last year, the initiative garnered the support of more than 96,000 participants at over 2,540 sites nationwide - a 12% growth over the 2010 volume, and evidence to the growing public awareness of early detection and intervention for memory problems. The Alzheimer's Foundation of America is using this day as a jumping off point to start and continue dialogue with Congressional leaders and other policymakers about developing a national dementia screening policy and the importance of early detection. There is no cost to be listed as a supporter. For more information about this important and increasingly relevant initiative, you may visit: www.nationalmemoryscreening.org.
New Study Links Gap in Medicare Part D Coverage and Cutbacks by Older Adults using Antidepressants
According to Reuters Health, when some older Americans with Medicare drug coverage reach the point where they have to pay full price for medications, many just stop taking their antidepressants - raising their risk of depression relapses - according to a new study. To read more visit here.
REMINDERS
National Provider Call: Physician Compare Website - Monday, July 9 from 1:30-2:30pm ET
The purpose of this call is to help explore redesign options for the Physician Compare website. In an effort to solicit direct feedback from the medical specialty societies on any changes to the Website, the American Medical Association has arranged a webinar. The webinar will provide a forum for participants to view and comment on mock-ups being considered for the redesign of the Physician Compare website scheduled for release in 2013. To join the Physician Compare Webinar via WebEx, click this link. The meeting number is: 650 073 814; and the meeting password is: Security1. Please mute your line when you are not speaking to minimize background noise. If you have difficulty logging into the meeting, please contact Dan Sangria at DanielSangria@westat.com.
National Provider Call: Medicare Shared Savings Program and Advance Payment Model Application Process - Monday, July 16; 1:30-3 pm ET
Last fall, CMS issued a final rule under the Affordable Care Act to establish the Medicare Shared Savings Program, along with a notice for the Advance Payment Model that will provide additional support to physician-led and rural Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) participating in the Shared Savings Program. These two initiatives will help providers participate in ACOs to improve quality of care for Medicare patients. On Monday, July 16, 2012, CMS will host a National Provider Call, where subject matter experts will provide an overview and updates to the Shared Savings Program application and Advance Payment Model application processes for the January 1, 2013 Shared Savings Program start date. A question and answer session will follow the presentations. The Shared Savings Program Application and the Advance Payment Model web pages have important information, dates, and materials on the application process. Call participants are encouraged to review the applications and materials prior to the call. Registration Information: In order to receive call-in information, you must register for the call on the CMS Upcoming National Provider Calls web page.
How You Can Help
AGS encourages you to Take Action by visiting AGS' Health in Aging Advocacy Center. Contact your members of Congress today, and urge them to call for both the repeal of the SGR and comprehensive Medicare payment and delivery reform. Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Susie Sherman, Senior Coordinator of Public Affairs & Advocacy, ssherman@americangeriatrics.org.
Modified On: July 6th, 2012
