AMA National Advocacy Conference
APMA staff participated in the AMA National Advocacy Conference that focused on how to advance shared legislative priorities, including meaningful Medicare Physician Payment Reform, reducing administrative burdens caused by prior authorization, and protecting and strengthening access to Medicaid. Following policy briefings from members of Congress, CMS officials, and national health-care leaders, APMA staff took these priorities directly to meetings on Capitol Hill.
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APMA Position Statement on AI
APMA adopted a formal position statement on artificial intelligence (AI) and submitted comments to HHS in response to its national Request for Information on the use of AI in clinical care. APMA emphasized that AI should support, not replace, physician judgment. We also raised concerns that opaque algorithms and broad datasets can lead to inappropriate denials, downcoding, and delays in patient care.
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APMA Supports State Legislative Efforts
APMA continues to work closely with state components on legislative strategy, stakeholder engagement, testimony development, grassroots advocacy, and regulatory outreach across multiple states, including Tennessee, Massachusetts, and Mississippi. Several states are also actively considering adoption of the IPMLC, including Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, and Ohio.
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CMS Alert: MBI Lookup Tool Monitoring
In the MLN Connects Newsletter for February 26, CMS highlighted that it has identified fraud involving stolen Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers (MBIs) and is increasing monitoring of the Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) MBI lookup tool.
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DME Enrollment Moratorium
Last week, CMS announced a moratorium on enrollment (and enrollment expansion) for certain medical supply companies. This enrollment moratorium affects medical supply companies whose principal function is to furnish DMEPOS supplies, which does not represent most physician suppliers.
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APMA Fights to Protect Seniors
APMA recently submitted testimony to the Senate Committee on Aging for its hearing titled "The Doctor Is Out How Washington’s Rules Drove Physicians Out of Medicine," highlighting how excessive prior authorization requirements in Medicare Advantage are delaying care and increasing administrative burdens for podiatrists.
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VHA Workforce Cuts
APMA submitted comments to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs expressing concern that the ongoing VHA reorganization and recent workforce reductions are threatening veterans' access to timely foot and ankle care. With approximately 30,000 VA positions eliminated in 2025 and new staffing caps in place, shortages are straining critical limb-preservation programs and limiting care for clinically complex veterans.
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Reporting Postoperative Visits
Last week, CMS reminded practitioners in nine states that they are required to report postoperative evaluation and management visits provided to Medicare patients if the practitioner practices in a group of 10 or more practitioners.
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Co-Signed Notes for Diabetic Shoes
Following sustained advocacy and multiple rounds of direct communication with CMS and the DME MACs, APMA has secured critical clarification regarding coverage criteria for therapeutic shoes for persons with diabetes. We have confirmed that co-signed notes are not required when specific documentation standards are met.
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Medicare ABN Form Expiration
The Medicare Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN) form expired on January 31, but CMS and Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) have confirmed that providers should continue using the current version until an updated form is released.
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APMA Supports Maryland IPMLC
Last week, APMA provided a letter of support as written testimony to the Maryland Podiatric Medical Association (MPMA) in advance of the Maryland Senate Finance Committee hearing on legislation (SB 333) to join the Interstate Podiatric Medical Licensure Compact (IPMLC). The testimony highlights how participation in the compact would strengthen Maryland’s podiatric workforce.
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Flawed Efficiency Adjustment
APMA joined other physician societies to sign onto a letter led by the American College of Surgeons in support of the Efficiency Adjustment Delay Act (HR 7520). The legislation would delay the “efficiency adjustment” finalized in the 2026 MPFS and prevent any future adjustments from being calculated with similar productivity metrics.
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