In Historic Vote, AGS Awarded Permanent Seat on the RUC
February 1st, 2012
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Jillian Lubarsky
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In Historic Vote, AGS Awarded Permanent Seat on the RUC
AMA RUC Recognizes Importance of Geriatric Medicine
New York, NY - February 1, 2012 - In a historic vote for geriatrics, the American Medical Association (AMA) Specialty Society RVS Update Committee (RUC) has awarded the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) a permanent seat on the RUC. The RUC is an independent panel of physicians from all medical specialties who make recommendations to Medicare on the value of the work and resources involved in patient care. The decision to award AGS a permanent seat demonstrates the vital need for the expertise of geriatrics health professionals in providing high quality care to older adults.
"I have witnessed the amount of work put forth by our members to secure a permanent seat on the RUC," said Peter Hollmann, MD, Chair of the AGS' Public Policy Committee and leader of these efforts. "I am extremely proud of our persistent efforts, which have been complemented by our collaborative work with the AMA and several other specialty societies."
AGS members have significant and deep expertise in treating patients with multiple chronic conditions-the Medicare beneficiaries who require the most costly care. AGS provided compelling evidence that establishing a permanent seat for geriatrics, which focuses exclusively on caring for Medicare beneficiaries, would enhance the value of RUC's recommendations to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding the work and practice expense of existing procedures and new paradigms of care.
"A representative from the AGS will be a valuable addition to the RUC and provide critical insight as we continue to address changing issues in medicine," said Barbara Levy, MD, Chair of the AMA/Specialty Society RVS Update Committee (RUC). "The experience of this geriatrician will be particularly important in our ongoing work to meet the unique health needs of an aging population and to improve care coordination for patients with chronic conditions."
AGS looks forward to continuing to work on improving how geriatrics services are valued by Medicare. The RUC offers us an important vehicle for ensuring that payment supports the provision of high-quality, well-coordinated care to older adults. The RUC is a strong advocate for care coordination and has encouraged CMS to recognize these critical services, which include patient education, telephone conversations, and medication management.
"We are deeply appreciative that AGS has been awarded a permanent seat on the RUC and thank the many volunteer leaders, staff, and others who have contributed to this achievement," said Alan Lazaroff, MD, AGS RUC advisor and member of the RUC Administrative Subcommittee. "We are additionally pleased that the RUC has established a permanent rotating seat for a primary care physician."
ABOUT THE AGS
Founded in 1942, the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) is a non-profit organization of over 6,000 healthcare professionals whose shared mission is to improve the health, independence and quality of life of older people. Our vision for the future is that all older adults will have access to quality healthcare that meets their unique needs. To achieve this, the Society focuses on: advancing eldercare research; educating all healthcare professionals about the unique aspects of geriatrics care; enhancing care delivery for older adults; raising public awareness of the healthcare needs of older people; and advocating for public policy that ensures older adults access to quality, appropriate, cost-effective care. The Society is a pivotal force in shaping practices, policies and perspectives in geriatrics. Please visit www.americangeriatrics.org for more information.
