The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently unveiled a new initiative—the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) Model—designed to target services within Medicare that are considered vulnerable to fraud, waste, and abuse. Among the services impacted is the use of skin substitutes.
APMA Health Policy Advisor Jeffrey Lehrman, DPM, recorded a brief video to help podiatrists better understand the ramifications of this new model. Dr. Lehrman outlines several aspects of the WISeR Model, including its objectives, the timeline for implementation, and the impacted states.
The video also describes APMA’s advocacy efforts in response to the CMS announcement. Following the release of the WISeR Model, APMA promptly engaged with CMS to share the association’s concerns and provide its recommendations. APMA expressed opposition to the expansion of prior authorization under the new model and warned of potential threats to beneficiary access to medically necessary care. APMA also proposed strategies to reduce administrative burden and ensure continued access to essential podiatric services, should CMS move forward with implementation of the WISeR model.
Members can read this letter and other past advocacy letters at www.apma.org/CommentLetters. Contact the APMA Advocacy Department with any questions or concerns.