Federal Watch
September 21st, 2012
AGS is tracking developments of interest to geriatrics health professionals in order to provide weekly updates for our readers via our List Serv, americangeriatrics.org, our Facebook page, and our Twitter feed. This week, we share testimony that AGS provided at a recent Senate Aging Committee Hearing, update you on the progress of the Medicare Advantage plans despite ACA cuts, and share the PCORI’s new funding announcements related to comparative clinical effectiveness research. Finally, we remind you of the CER research opportunity through the NIA, and encourage you to take action by contacting your legislators, and urging them to fully address and put an end to the flawed SGR formula.
Senate Aging Committee Holds Hearing on Use of Power Mobility Devices, AGS Testifies
Testifying before the Senate Special Committee on Aging on behalf of AGS, Jerome Epplin, MD, AGSF, told the Committee about the challenges physicians face in assessing a patient's need for a Power Mobility Device (PMD). Yesterday's hearing, chaired by Committee Ranking Member Bob Corker (R-TN), examined reducing waste fraud and abuse in Medicare through a demonstration program requiring prior authorization for PMDs. Dr. Epplin provided the perspective of a busy family physician and geriatrician with regard to patient evaluations for PMDs, including power wheelchairs and power operated vehicles. Dr. Epplin highlighted the issues of patients being unduly influenced by ads seen on television or received in the mail, and the pressure that physicians and other providers such as physical therapists receive from companies that sell these devices, among other issues. To read AGS’ press release and Dr. Epplin’s full testimony, click here.
Medicare Advantage Plans thriving despite ACA cuts
The Obama administration is declaring a small victory after recent reports indicate that Medicare Advantage plans haven’t been hurt by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). According to Politico and new administration estimates released this week, the plans are thriving. CMS is projecting that Medicare Advantage rolls will have grown by 28 percent over three years by 2013, while premiums will have dropped by 10 percent and benefits have held steady. And that’s despite estimates by the Congressional Budget Office that the program would shrink due to reductions in payments under (ACA). Under the law, benchmark payments to Medicare Advantage plans were frozen in 2011 and began to be reduced this year relative to the cost of fee-for-service. And in 2014, the plans will be required to spend 85 percent of their premiums on medical care. During the open enrollment season this fall, Medicare beneficiaries will be notified for the first time if they are enrolled in a chronically poorly performing plan (one that receives fewer than three stars from CMS) and they won’t be allowed to automatically re-enroll through the CMS website.
PCORI Announces New Funding Opportunities
The Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) launched its second cycle of funding requests to support $96 million in comparative clinical effectiveness research that will assist patients and those who care for them with making better-informed health care decisions. These PCORI Funding Announcements (PFAs) correspond to four of the five areas of focus outlined in its National Priorities for Research and Research Agenda: (1) Assessment of Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options, (2) Improving Healthcare Systems, (3) Communication and Dissemination, and (4) Addressing Disparities. PCORI will host three workshops in Washington, D.C. this fall to obtain input from patients, caregivers and other stakeholders on PCORI's draft process for generating and selecting specific research topics. Each workshop will be accompanied by a public, interactive webcast. Learn more on the following workshops:
- Transforming Patient-Centered Research: Building Partnerships and Promising Models
October 27-28
This workshop will focus on the patient's role and perspective in PCORI's work, and provide an opportunity for patients, caregivers, researchers and other stakeholders to start working together as a community to discuss potential ideas for future research.
- What Should PCORI Study? A Call for Topics from Patients and Stakeholders
December 4
This workshop will solicit recommendations for specific research topics and test PCORI's draft process for determining which could be the basis of future funding announcements.
- PCORI Research Prioritization Methods Workshop
December 5
Research methodologists, patients and other stakeholders will further test the process for selecting research questions and address a number of methodological issues that will help PCORI ensure that it addresses the needs of patients and caregivers.
REMINDER:
DEADLINE: OCT. 11 - The National Institute on Aging Invites Applicants to Help Continue CER Research
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) has announced a new grant opportunity titled “Secondary Analyses of Comparative Effectiveness, Health Outcomes and Costs in Persons with Multiple Chronic Conditions (R21”). This federal grant is the next step in NIA’s continued work to advance the research agenda for multiple chronic conditions. For information on the new grant, you may visit: grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AG-13-003.html. The application deadline is October 11, 2013. Any questions can go to:
Marcel Salive, MD, MPH
Division of Geriatrics and Clinical Gerontology
Phone: 301-496-6761
Email: marcel.salive@nih.gov
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: September 21st, 2012
