News Archives

Last week, APMA responded to the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) "Request for Information (RFI): Ensuring Lawful Regulation and Unleashing Innovation To Make American Healthy Again," calling on HHS to remove or reduce burdens related to same or similar requirements for durable medical equipment (DME), duplicative certification requirements for the Medicare Therapeutic Shoes for Diabetics (TSD) program, and the Merit-based Incentive Payment System.

Yesterday, the Massachusetts Legislature's Joint Committee on Public Health met to hear testimony from podiatric physicians and other allies in support of the Massachusetts Foot and Ankle Society’s (MFAS) legislation that would modernize the state podiatric scope of practice. Massachusetts is one of only two remaining states that do not permit podiatrists to treat the ankle in the state statue.

CMS has issued the proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for Calendar Year 2026. The annually issued rule outlines proposed changes to payment rates, telehealth services, quality reporting programs, and more. The proposed Conversion Factor is 3.62% with an estimated impact of 2 percent for podiatry. Thanks to the advocacy efforts of APMA and its members, Congress provided a 2.5-percent payment increase for 2026 in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Read on for more impacts for podiatrists.

The budget reconciliation bill, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), a broad spending and tax bill that includes significant health care policies, was signed by President Trump on July 4 after passing both chambers of Congress. APMA advocated vigorously on behalf of the profession.

APMA advocacy staff met with an Aetna medical director last week to discuss ongoing member concerns and the recent commitment by Aetna and other major health insurers to simplify the prior authorization process. APMA meets with Aetna quarterly to facilitate these conversations and advocate on behalf of our members. 

Last week, the CMS Innovation Center announced a new model, known as the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction Model or WISeR Model, which aims to streamline the review process for certain items and services that are vulnerable to fraud, waste, and abuse under Medicare. The model is voluntary and will run for six performance years.

Update: Congress has passed the Budget Reconciliation bill. The president is expected to sign it soon. Read more to learn how the legislation impacts podiatric physicians and surgeons, plus take a look at the priorities APMA shared with congressional leadership as they were debating the bill. 

APMA continues to advocate for members as the Senate releases its version of the Budget Reconciliation Bill. The House passed H.R. 1 earlier this month, and the Senate aims to pass their version by the July 4th holiday. Take action today to support podiatry.

APMA is pleased to report that Optum has reserved its decision to reclassify podiatrists. APMA thanks Optum for recognizing that podiatrists are independently licensed physicians who undergo specialized education and training and reaffirming the vital role podiatrist play in advancing clinical outcomes and caring for their patients.

Members should be aware that NPEast has announced it is developing a DMEPOS licensure database for only the states and territories east of the Mississippi River and expect this to be released in early July 2025. With this change, NPWest will maintain a licensure database for only the states and territories west of the Mississippi River.

APMA is thrilled to congratulate the New York State Podiatric Medical Association (NYSPMA) on a tremendous victory on behalf of our mutual members! NYSPMA’s modernized scope bill has been approved by both the New York Senate and Assembly. The bill now awaits the Governor’s signature.

It is with deep sadness that APMA announces the passing of Past President E. Dalton McGlamry, DPM, on June 14. Dr. McGlamry was president of APMA in 1972 and remained a leader of the profession for decades. On behalf of a grateful profession, APMA extends its deepest sympathy to Dr. McGlamry’s family.

APMA wrote to the Massachusetts Legislature in support of the Massachusetts Foot and Ankle Society and its efforts to modernize the podiatric state scope of practice act to include the treatment of the ankle. Updating the law would permit Massachusetts podiatrists to practice to the full extent of their education, training, and qualifications, as well as increase necessary access to care for vulnerable patients.

Your APMA membership provides access to our affiliate organizations! These clinical and related organizations connect you to physicians with similar clinical and professional interests.

APMA is pleased to again endorse the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act (H.R. 3514/S. 1816), also known as the Seniors’ Act. Reintroduced last month, this bill will significantly benefit podiatrists and other physicians by streamlining the time-consuming prior authorization process in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans.

APMA met with Aetna recently to address members' concerns about the payer's downcoding of certain claims, under its Evaluation and Management (E&M) Claim and Code Review program. APMA also gathered information about the reach of the program and the lines of service impacted, as well as identified strategies that can help address this issue effectively.

APMA members Rachel Albright, DPM, MPH; Patrick DeHeer, DPM; and Dyane Tower, DPM, MPH, MS, CAE, recently authored a letter to the editor to Foot and Ankle International addressing methodological concerns and limitations in an article comparing podiatry and orthopaedics.

The US House of Representatives passed HR 1, One Big Beautiful Bill, last Thursday, impacting Medicare, Medicaid, and other APMA Advocacy priorities. APMA continues to advocate for policies that are in the best interests of its members and their patients.

APMA expressed its serious concerns to Optum regarding its classification of podiatrists as Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) with doctorates under the Optum Partnership Program. Take action with APMA's template letter.

In support of Nevada podiatrists, APMA recently submitted a letter to the Nevada State Senate, supporting a legislative proposal that would ensure the Nevada State Board of Podiatry remains separate and independent from other boards.