Claims Holds Lifted
Note to APMA members that received the October 21 Weekly Focus: Shortly after the Weekly Focus was finalized, CMS updated its guidance and lifted most claims holds. The claims hold has now been lifted for claims paid under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, ground ambulance transport claims, and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) claims.
Read More
Diabetic Shoe Policy
APMA partnered with 17 other societies representing providers, patients, and suppliers to send a letter to all four DME MACs requesting that they revise "Therapeutic Shoes for Persons with Diabetes – Policy Article" (A52501). The goal is to restore beneficiary access to this important Medicare benefit.
Read More
Gout Awareness Meeting
APMA continues its partnership with the Alliance for Gout Awareness (AGA): On October 16, APMA joined fellow member organizations for the 2025 AGA Stakeholder Meeting in Washington, DC. The event brought together patient advocates, clinicians, researchers, and policy professionals to advance the coalition's mission of improving public understanding of gout and empowering patients to better manage the condition.
Read More
CMS Prior Authorization Demonstration
APMA submitted comments to CMS in response to a new prior authorization demonstration that will apply to certain services performed in ambulatory surgical centers across 10 states beginning in December. APMA's comment letter to CMS outlines our concerns on barriers to care, provider burden, and duplicative oversight.
Read More
Government Shutdown Information
Unfortunately, Congress was unable to reach a funding consensus before the end of the federal fiscal year (September 30), and the US federal government shut down as of 12:01 a.m. on October 1, 2025. The Medicare Program will continue during a lapse in appropriations. APMA believes this means there will be continuation of claims processing and payment; however, payments may be slower. Medicare telehealth will also expire.
Read More
ICD-10-CM Changes Related to Podiatry
The ICD-10-CM code set for 2026 takes effect October 1, 2025: All members should be using the new code set for services performed on or after this date. The new code set includes 487 new code additions, 28 deletions, and 38 modifications. Some of these are pertinent to foot and ankle care, including changes involving lower extremity ulcers, diabetes, and more.
Read More
MATE Act Fix
As a direct result of APMA's advocacy efforts, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025 now allows podiatry organizations to provide mandatory training on the treatment and management of patients with substance use disorders.
Read More
State Advocacy Forum
Leaders from across the country came together September 18–19 in Boston, MA, for APMA's 2025 State Advocacy Forum, co-hosted by the Massachusetts Foot and Ankle Society (MFAS). The forum provided two days of learning, collaboration, and strategy-building on pressing state-level issues, from scope of practice to payer challenges.
Read More
2024 MIPS
CMS has released Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) performance feedback and final scores for the 2024 performance year. Your 2024 final score impacts your Medicare Part B payments in 2026, and 2026 MIPS payment adjustments are now available.
Read More
Local Advocacy with Congress
APMA co-hosted an event in support of Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA-02), a member of the House Ways & Means Committee, and hosted an event supporting Diabetes Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO-01). Rep. DeGette serves as the Ranking Member of the House Energy & Commerce's Health Subcommittee and has been a consistent champion of the podiatry profession throughout her career.
Read More
Skin Substitute Payments
APMA submitted comments to the CMS in response to the proposed rule, Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems [CMS-1834-P]. APMA's comments focused on protecting patient access to skin substitutes, which are essential for the treatment of complex wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers.
Read More
Insurers' AI Practices
APMA submitted comments to the US House Committee on Energy & Commerce to highlight the potential benefits and significant risks of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into clinical practice, including administrative functions, and AI's growing use in coverage determinations and prior authorization.
Read More
