Week In Review

This week, the AGS submitted extensive comments in response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Calendar Year (CY) 2025 proposed rule updating the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and other payment and coding policies. In our letter, we applaud CMS’ proposal to provide payment for advanced primary care management (APCM) services, which recognizes elements that AGS considers to be vital components of primary care, including team-based care and an ongoing, longitudinal relationship with the patient. AGS urges CMS to implement the proposal in 2025 to advance better care now, without delay. We also suggest some refinements and clarifications to the proposal to ensure that those services are correctly reported. CMS also included an extensive request for information around hybrid payments for primary care, which we responded to here.

AGS also addresses several other proposals in the PFS rule, including support for CMS’ proposed expansion of the caregiver training codes. We are also pleased that CMS is proposing to allow for payment of the visit complexity add-on code (G2211) when an office/outpatient E/M service is furnished on the same day as an Annual Wellness Visit, vaccine administration or Medicare Part B preventive service. As we did in last year’s rule, AGS continues to urge CMS to allow G2211 to be reported when an E/M service is provided in a patient’s home or residence. Lastly, we are pleased that CMS is proposing to maintain current billing rules for telemedicine services and pay for E/M services at the same rate regardless of the modality in which the visit is conducted. For additional details and comments on other areas of the rule, please review the full letter here. A final rule will be issued in early November and take effect on January 1, 2025.

Please take a few minutes to express your support for the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) proposed pilot of a pathway to Board certification for exceptionally qualified international medical graduates (IMGs) who are pursuing accredited subspecialty fellowship in the U.S. or Canada to become eligible for ABIM Board Certification. The anonymous form for commenting is available here and the deadline for submitting comments is October 1.  The form asks for a rationale for your support of the pathway and please feel free to modify the AGS/ADGAP rationale when providing your feedback:  “AGS/ADGAP believe this new pathway will potentially increase the supply and diversity of geriatricians in the United States (US) and also address shortages of fellowship trained physicians in other internal medicine specialties.”

The AGS and ADGAP are very supportive of the proposed pilot, and we appreciate the ABIM stewardship of the process. Given that ABIM works closely with the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) on board certification in geriatric medicine, we are hopeful that ABFM will participate in this pilot so that our geriatrics fellowship programs in family medicine have access to these candidates as well. You can read AGS/ADGAP’s comments on the pilot submitted to ABIM last January here.

Consider Becoming an AGS Board Member, Nominations due Monday, October 7th, 2024
AGS is currently seeking nominees to stand for election to the Board by the AGS membership, and to identify an individual who can provide the perspective of members who are primarily in clinical practice (this seat will be appointed by the Board upon a recommendation from the Nominating Committee). Nominations are also open for the ex-officio Early Career Professional seat, which is for those with at least two years of active AGS membership who are less than three years out of formal training. The AGS Board provides fiduciary oversight for the Society and works collaboratively with the CEO and staff to advance AGS priorities. The Board is responsible for setting the strategic direction for the society, responding to emerging issues, interpreting the organization’s mission to the public, and establishing and maintaining programs relevant to the Society’s strategic vision. 

Learn more about the AGS Board Position and the nominations process here. 

Apply to Serve on an AGS Committee, Applications due Monday, January 6th, 2025
Committee service is an opportunity to strengthen and grow your national network, work on projects that you are passionate about, learn new leadership skills, and so much more. Our committee members are leading writing groups, developing tool kits, improving payment for geriatrics health professionals, and participating in efforts to improve diversity in the research that is presented at the AGS Annual Scientific meeting. 

Learn more about the AGS Committees and the application process here.

For questions about the Committee application or the Board nominations process, please contact Mary Jordan Samuel at mjsamuel@americangeriatrics.org

Join AGS and the Risk Less. Do More. campaign to help protect yourself, your family, your patients and their families from the most common respiratory illnesses this fall and winter.

Understanding the risks that influenza (flu), COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) pose is key to staying healthy. That is exactly why AGS is partnering with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Risk Less. Do More. campaign, which aims to increase awareness of vaccines that reduce the risk of serious illness from flu, COVID-19, and RSV and to limit the spread of these viruses among all Americans.

AGS will be partnering with Risk Less. Do More. in a variety of ways including sharing resources in our quarterly newsletter, amplifying the campaign on social media, and hosting a webinar in October to discuss the Pan Respiratory Viruses Vaccines outreach – just to name a few. AGS invites its members to participate by sharing campaign resources, engaging with relevant posts on social media, and signing up for the upcoming webinar (details to come!). 

Visit RiskLessDoMore.hhs.gov for more information.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved updated COVID-19 vaccines for the 2024–2025 season to protect against currently circulating variants. The updated vaccines available now include mRNA vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna and the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted.

• Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines include a monovalent (single) component that corresponds to the Omicron variant KP.2 strain of SARS-CoV-2
• Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted includes a monovalent (single) component that corresponds to the Omicron variant JN.1 strain of SARS-CoV-2

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has also updated its COVID-19 vaccine pricing for the 2024–2025 season. For more information on coding and Medicare payment rates for administrating these vaccines, visit the COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Toolkit.

AGS  Fellows-in-Training (FIT) and Early Career Professional members have one week left to register for the AGS/ADGAP Leadership & Life Skills Curriculum (LLSC) which starts on September 20th!  Program participants will gain invaluable insights into effective communication, team dynamics, and leadership strategies, all of which are crucial for thriving in today’s healthcare environment.

Don’t miss your chance to participate in this program, available for free exclusively to AGS FIT and Early Career Members - Register today!

The AGS Vaccine Ambassador Virtual Workshop is happening next week on Tuesday, September 17^th from 2:00pm – 3:00pm ET. This interactive workshop will introduce participants to the AGS Older Adults Vaccine Initiative's website, resources, and strategies to actively promote the CDC's Standards of Adult Immunization Practices (SAIP) within their health systems and with the older adults they care for. The workshop agenda will include background about the AGS Older Adults Vaccine Initiative, information and insights on becoming a AGS Vaccine Ambassador, latest vaccine guidance from the CDC, guidance on coding for vaccinations, and how to combat vaccine fatigue. You can register by clicking here.

AGS is pleased to share that Alayne D. Markland, DO, MSc, has been appointed as the new Chief for the Division of Geriatrics in the University of Utah School of Medicine’s Department of Internal Medicine and Director of the University of Utah Center on Aging. Dr. Markland, previously a tenured Professor in the Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, is renowned for her expertise in patient-oriented research in lower urinary tract symptoms and urinary incontinence. With over 170 publications and leadership of several grants/awards including an NIH R01, she has made significant contributions to patient and geriatric care. Her commitment to mentoring future leaders in the field further highlights her dedication to advancing patient care.

Dr. Markland will become the third Chief of the Division of Geriatrics at the University of Utah, officially stepping into the role on December 1, 2024. AGS would also like to recognize Dr. Mark Supiano for his 19 years of exceptional leadership as Division Chief and Dr. Timothy Farrell for his ongoing service as Interim Chief, a role he will continue until Dr. Markland transitions into her new position.

• The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is offering up to $160 million to fund innovative, high-impact patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research studies, including a Special Area of Emphasis on Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults.

  You can review the funding announcement on PCORI’s website for details, dates and other helpful information or to register for the Applicant Town Hall on Sept. 19, 2024.

• The BOLD Public Health Center of Excellence on Dementia Caregiving is hosting their bi-monthly, roundtable series, "Successful Public Health Approaches in Dementia Caregiving: Colorado" on Thursday, October 10th.