Two APMA members participated in the Clinician Expert Workgroup (CEW) for the Non-Pressure Ulcers episode-based cost measure last week: APMA Coding Committee Chair David Freedman, DPM, and APMA Vice President, Clinical Affairs and Medical Director Dyane Tower, DPM, MPH, MS, CAE. Dr. Tower serves as Co-Chair for the CEW. APMA has participated in the workgroup since its inception given the likelihood the measure will also be attributed (appropriate or otherwise) to podiatrists. APMA has repeatedly identified serious issues with the cost measure, and APMA's participation and feedback is a large part of why the measure has not yet been finalized.
At this meeting, the CEW discussed topics on measure framework and refinement related to capturing patient-provider relationships, accounting for patient heterogeneity, and assigning clinically related services for patients with non-pressure ulcers. To see all of the work related to this measure, visit http://www.apma.org/npucost.