Recent Advocacy Victories
2026 Mid-Year Advocacy Impact Report
Read our 2026 Mid-Year Advocacy Impact Report to learn more about APMA's advocacy activities over the past year and the impact they have had for members and the profession at large!
Regence BlueShield Withdraws Modifier 25 Policy
Regence BlueShield reversed its decision to change its Modifier 25 policy, which threatened appropriate payment and access to care. This reversal means that podiatrists will continue to be paid appropriately for same-day E&M services across Regence’s commercial and Medicare Advantage plans.
Medicare Administrative Contractors Remove Lifetime Limit for Morton’s Neuroma
Wellpoint Federal, CGS, Palmetto, PWS, and coverage determinations withdrew their policy in the proposed Local Coverage Determination (LCD) implementing a lifetime steroid injection limit for Morton’s neuroma. As a result of APMA and CAC representatives’ advocacy, their final policies instead limit steroid injections for Morton’s neuroma to one per side, per encounter.
Kentucky and Tennessee Modernize Podiatric Scope of Practice
Tennessee now allows podiatrists to care for soft tissues of the lower leg that are located below the tibial tuberosity. APMA submitted a letter to state representative Brock Martin (R), Chairman of the House Health Subcommittee, in support of the legislation. In Kentucky, podiatrists are now authorized to supervise physician assistants and are required to complete an accredited podiatric residency program among other reforms. APMA supported this effort via a state grant. APMA congratulates TPMA and KYPMA on their collective work to align state law with modern education, training, and clinical practice.
Maryland and Iowa Implement Interstate Podiatric Medical Licensure Compact
Maryland and Iowa became the first two states to pass the Interstate Podiatric Medical Licensure Compact, allowing greater freedom of movement for podiatrists. APMA empowered these state component initiatives through writing support letters, grant funding, grassroots campaign support, and other legislative advocacy support. APMA congratulates MPMA, IPMS, and the Federation of Podiatric Medical Boards (FBMB) for these legislative breakthroughs.
APMA Key Priorities included in Legislative Hearing
The Diabetes Foot Health Access and Modernization Act and The Patients First Act, APMA’s top priorities, were included in a September hearing in the House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Health. Both bills modernize outdated components of Medicare, increasing stability of Medicare payments for podiatrists and access to quality care for patients. APMA staff and podiatrists across the country have worked to build bipartisan support for these important bills.