News Archives

APMA members can now earn CECH for the 2024 Spring Coding Seminar on demand, featuring APMA coding expert Jeffrey Lehrman, DPM, CPC. Originally recorded on April 27 as a part of the APMA 2024 Coding and Clinical Education Seminar, the on-demand version offers four continuing education contact hours.

CPT® 11305–Shaving of epidermal or dermal lesion, single lesion, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; lesion diameter 0.5 cm or less

At the end of last week, APMA submitted comments to all seven Part B Medicare Administrative Contractors in conjunction with APMA’s Contractor Advisory Committee (CAC) representatives to address concerns with draft Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) and Local Coverage Articles (LCA) related to use of skin substitute products (also referred to as Cellular and/or Tissue Based Products, or CTPs) used for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) and Venous Leg Ulcers (VLU).

Updated information from the recent annual meetings of the Health Policy and Coding Committees.

May was Mental Health Awareness Month. In recognition of that observance, APMA wishes to extend our thoughts and support to the podiatric community, especially those who may be struggling. APMA strongly supports physicians who have the courage to seek treatment for mental health conditions or addiction.

APMA is excited to offer its resident members the opportunity to complete their annual didactic instruction requirements as outlined in CPME 320 through the APMA Online Learning Center. The "Resident Essentials" learning path includes six courses which match required topics on which residents must receive training once per year.

The APMA Center for Professional Advocacy (CPA) is thrilled to announce that registration is now open for the next installment in our Mini Summit Series, “Negotiating Contracts.” This smaller, more focused offering was born out of the CPA and its committee members, after hearing feedback from the virtual forum attendees in 2022. It will take place via Zoom on July 16, 8–9:30 p.m. EDT. Registration closes on July 12.

CMS added nine items to the Required Prior Authorization List of Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies, a list of items that require prior authorization as a condition of payment.

On May 29, APMA submitted comments to CMS in response to the institution’s request for information (RFI), “Medicare Program; Request for Information on Medicare Advantage Data; CMS–4207–NC.”

Members are being offered the opportunity to submit their questions or issues for our committees to discuss.

Thanks to APMA and others' advocacy on your behalf, CMS is now allowing providers impacted by the Change Healthcare cyberattack to apply for a hardship exception from MIPS participation in 2024!

Following advocacy by APMA and others, Congress has decreased the 2024 physician pay cut by about half.

On May 6, APMA and Contractor Advisory Committee (CAC) representatives from Palmetto Jurisdiction states met with Palmetto GBA to discuss recent changes to their Local Coverage Article (LCA) related to at-risk foot care.

APMA's Center for Professional Advocacy (CPA) invites state component leaders to apply for 2025 grants via the CPA Financial Assistance Grant and Innovation Grant programs. The deadline for both applications is September 15.

Over the past couple of weeks, APMA has been coordinating with our Contractor Advisory Committee (CAC) representatives to address challenges brought about by proposed skin substitutes/ cellular and/or tissue-based products (CTPs) for Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFU) and Venous Leg Ulcers (VLU) Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) released in April.

Effective April 1, HCPCS J1020, J1030, and J1040 have been deleted from the HCPCS code set, which is managed by CMS. A new code has replaced these deleted codes.

Register now for APMA's webinar, “MIPS PY 2024: Townhall & Open Q&A," taking place on May 7.

On April 19, APMA leadership met with Acumen, LLC to discuss our ongoing and significant concerns with the non-pressure ulcer cost measure under development, previously shared with Acumen via comment letter.

The CAC Engagement Coalition has arranged a face-to-face meeting with CMS on May 17 to express its ongoing frustrations and concerns regarding the current implementation of local coverage policies.

On Tuesday, April 16, APMA and NYSPMA met with NGS to address their concerns about policy changes to allow reimbursement for Registered Nurses performing at-risk foot care under the supervision of a physician.