News Archives

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: APMA continues to advocate for members as Congress looks to pass the Budget Reconciliation Bill before its self-imposed July 4 deadline.

The Senate passed its version of the Budget Reconciliation Bill on July 1. The bill now goes back to the House for a vote. Prior to the Senate vote, APMA sent a letter to Senate leadership outlining its priorities for the Reconciliation 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.

APMA is urging the Trump administration to rescind or revise unsound policies that impede patient access to care and increase administrative burdens for podiatrists related to DME and the Medicare Therapeutic Shoes for Diabetics program.

APMA has new, on-demand virtual learning opportunities available. The courses include surgical complications and DEA MATE training.

APMA and 42 other state and national podiatric medical societies have submitted a co-signed letter to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Finance, urging these committees to protect and preserve access to care by podiatrists for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries in the forthcoming budget reconciliation process.

APMA representatives participated in the CPT® Editorial Panel meeting May 1-3 in Brooklyn, NY. The CPT® Editorial Panel ensures that CPT® codes reflect the latest medical care available to patients.