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Federal Watch

October 26th, 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 update you on various developments across the nation regarding ways to connect older Americans with proper care.   CMS has also recently re-opened its Quality Reporting Communication Support Page through 2013 for Medicare eRx Payment Adjustment Hardship Exemption Requests.  In addition, we remind you of the upcoming PCORI funding deadlines related to comparative clinical effectiveness research.  Lastly, we ask that you contact your legislators, urging them to support several important pieces of legislation that are critical to geriatrics health providers and their patients, such as the repeal of the SGR and comprehensive Medicare payment and delivery reform, the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act, and the across-the-board cuts, or “sequester” scheduled for January 1.  Please visit our Health in Aging Advocacy Center to learn more about these issues and to contact your members of Congress directly. 

Developments Regarding Ways to Connect Medicare and Medicaid Population with Adequate Care
Kaiser Health News rounds up several articles from varying news outlets that are pertinent to older adults, their caretakers, as well as their health providers. The varied news sources, including KHN, New York Times, and the Texas Tribune, depict current developments and challenges for older adults as they encounter costly home health care and transitional care, skilled nursing home stays and outpatient therapy. Click here to view all articles.   

Quality Reporting Communication Support Page will re-open November 1, 2012 through January 31, 2013 for Medicare 2013 Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Payment Adjustment Hardship Exemption Requests
Beginning November 1, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will re-open the Quality Reporting Communication Support Page to allow individual eligible professionals and CMS-selected group practices the opportunity to request a significant hardship exemption for the 2013 eRx payment adjustment. Significant hardship request should be submitted via the Quality Reporting Communication Support Page on or between November 1, 2012 - January 31, 2013.  CMS will review these requests on a case-by-case basis.  All decisions on significant hardship exemption requests will be final.  Important -- Please note that this is for the 2013 eRx payment adjustment only.  Hardship exemption requests for the 2014 payment adjustment will be accepted during a separate timeframe later in calendar year 2013.  For more information on how to navigate the Communication Support Page, please reference the following documents: 

For additional information and resources, please visit http://www.CMS.gov/ERxIncentive.  

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. ThesePCORI Funding Announcements (PFAs) correspond to four of the five areas of focus outlined in itsNational 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:

  • 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.

How You Can Help
AGS is seeking your assistance to increase support for the following important initiatives: 

  • Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA)  Support this legislation introduced  by Sen. Wyden (D-OR) in the Senate (S.3407) and Rep. Engel (D-NY-17) in the House (HR 6155) by contacting your members of Congress and asking that they support and co-sponsor this important legislation.   By doing so, you are helping to ensure a promising future for hospice and palliative care. For a summary of the bill, please visit here.  For additional background on the bill, please read our endorsement letter. 
  • Across-the-board cuts, or “sequester” scheduled for January 1 as mandated by the Budget Control Act (BCA).  Please take action on this important campaign and let your legislators know how these cuts to discretionary funding would affect services for older adults and the supply of qualified professionals available to care for them. 
  • Repeal of the SGR and comprehensive Medicare payment and delivery reform.  AGS also encourages you to contact your members of Congress 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: October 26th, 2012