AAFP Pushes for More Changes to ONC Rule Compliance Dates
Citing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the AAFP has urged the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT to further delay the deadline for physicians to comply with information blocking provisions outlined in the 21st Century Cures Act.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20210121infoblocking.html
AAFP Query Prompts CMS Order on Pneumococcal Vaccine Denial
In response to AAFP concerns that some physicians' Medicare claims for administering pneumococcal vaccinations have been denied, CMS has instructed Medicare contractors to cease local pneumococcal vaccination frequency edits.
AAFP News : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/news/practice-professional-issues/20191016claimsedits.html
AAFP Recruiting for Ask and Act Office Champions Project
The AAFP is recruiting 20 family medicine practices to participate in its yearlong Reimagining Ask and Act Office Champions Project. Practices have until May 31 to apply.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190508reimagineask-act.html
AAFP Releases Marijuana, Cannabinoids Position Paper
The AAFP's new marijuana and cannabinoids position paper describes marijuana and related substance misuse as "complex issues impacting family medicine, patient health and public health."
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190920cannabispaper.html
AAFP Renews Push for Site-neutral Payment
The Academy continued its extensive advocacy for site-neutral payment in a recent round of letters to CMS and Congress, saying that such payment parity would encourage patients to make decisions based on quality rather than cost.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20191009oppsletters.html
AAFP Responds to FDA Nicotine Steering Committee
The AAFP recently responded to an FDA request for comments on the use of nicotine for tobacco product cessation.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20180417nicotineltr.html
AAFP Rolls Out New Well-being Assessment Tool
As part of its ongoing effort to help family physicians increase professional satisfaction and fulfillment, the Academy has added a new assessment resource -- the Physician Well-being Index -- to its Physician Health First portal.
AAFP News : Focus on Physician Well-being
https://www.aafp.org/news/focus-on-physician-well-being/20190923well-beingindex.html
AAFP Seeks Applicants for 2019-20 Health Equity Fellowship
Building on a successful inaugural run, the AAFP and the Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors are seeking applicants for the yearlong 2019-20 health equity fellowship.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190529healthequityfellow.html
AAFP Seeks Candidates for 2020-2021 Health Equity Fellowship
The AAFP and Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors are seeking applicants for the 2020-2021 Health Equity Fellowship; applications are due by Oct. 1.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20200723healthyequityfellows.html
AAFP Seeks Flexibility in Medicare GME Funding Cap
The AAFP asked CMS to allow more flexibility in the cap on Medicare support for graduate medical education to help offset the shortage of family physicians.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20190124gmecap.html
AAFP Seeks Women’s Equity and Leadership Project Candidates
The AAFP is seeking applicants to serve as members of a cohort participating in the Women’s Wellness Through Equity and Leadership project. Interested members have until Feb. 28 to apply.
AAFP News : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/news/practice-professional-issues/20210211welproject.html
AAFP Sees Equity Boost, Network Opportunities in Proposed Rule
In a recent letter, the AAFP told HHS that a 2023 rule should strengthen network adequacy and improve Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act coverage and enrollment.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20220203hhsltr.html
AAFP Sees Harms to Team-based Care in VA Interim Final Rule
The AAFP and other medical societies this month urged the Department of Veterans Affairs to rescind an interim final rule that would decrease the standard of care for U.S. veterans.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20210127vascope.html
AAFP Sends Administration Detailed Advice on Interoperability
In three letters sent this month, the AAFP provided feedback on proposed health IT rules meant to promote exchange of information in EHRs.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20190619HITletters.html
AAFP Steers CMS on Proposed Changes to Medicare Advantage
The AAFP recently gave CMS detailed suggestions on how the agency could improve a proposed rule covering the Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Benefit programs.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20180117medicarecomment.html
AAFP Steers HHS on Protecting Patient Choice in Health Care
Family physicians focus on providing necessary care to patients, but ongoing consolidation in health care is limiting basic access, a point the AAFP recently reiterated to HHS.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20180202hhschoiceltr.html
AAFP Supports CMS Move Toward Equitable Payment Rules
The AAFP said CMS should finalize a policy proposal in its proposed rule on the 2019 outpatient prospective payment system that would reduce payment differences between sites of service and also suggested another way to fix Medicare payment.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20180926oppscomment.html
AAFP Supports Recent COVID-19 Safety Guidance From CDC
AAFP Supports Recent COVID-19 Safety Guidance From CDC
AAFP News : Media Center
https://www.aafp.org/news/media-center/statements/aafp-supports-covid-safety-guidance.html
AAFP Supports Slate of Bills to Protect, Assist Patients
The Academy has written in support of House bills to preserve safeguards in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and make generic drugs more available.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20190328housebills.html
AAFP Sustains Fight to Reduce Administrative Complexity for Family Medicine
AAFP Sustains Fight to Reduce Administrative Burden for Family Medicine
AAFP News : Media Center
https://www.aafp.org/news/media-center/kits/aafp-sustains-fight-to-reduce-administrative-burden-for-family-medicine.html
AAFP Taps Veteran Family Medicine Advocate as Next CEO/EVP
AAFP Senior Vice President for Advocacy, Practice Advancement and Policy Shawn Martin was introduced March 11 as the successor to retiring Academy CEO and EVP Douglas Henley, M.D.
AAFP News : Inside the Academy
https://www.aafp.org/news/inside-aafp/20200312smartinceo.html
AAFP Tells FCC Telehealth Pilot Should Encompass Broad Scope
The Academy told the Federal Communications Commission in an Aug. 28 letter that a proposed $100 million telehealth initiative must not be limited to rural physicians and patients.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20190904fcctelehealth.html
AAFP Tells Insurers to Meet Demand for Telehealth Payment
To allow family physicians maximum flexibility to meet the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic, the AAFP this week asked Congress and insurers to require that all health insurance plans expand coverage for virtual care.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20200320telehealthcoverage.html
AAFP to CMS: Cut Prior Authorization to Preserve Programs
In two recent letters, the Academy advised CMS to protect the integrity of health care programs by reducing physicians' administrative burden and financial risk.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20191203programintegrity.html
AAFP to CMS: Don't Add to Physicians' Administrative Burden
CMS should maintain automatic reenrollment policies for exchange plans to protect physicians, patients and the market, the AAFP advised in a March 2 letter.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20200304paymentparameters.html
AAFP to CMS: Lock In E/M Increase, Acknowledge Pandemic
In a detailed response to the proposed 2021 Medicare physician fee schedule, the AAFP advised CMS to implement its planned 2021 increase to office visit evaluation and management codes for family physicians.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20201008mpfscomment.html
AAFP to CMS: Make 2019 MPFS Work for FPs, Primary Care
In a recent letter to CMS, the AAFP made recommendations on ways the agency can change portions of the 2019 Medicare physician fee schedule to better support family physicians.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20190109mpfscomment.html
AAFP to CMS: Medicare Rules Must Cut Burden, Empower FPs
In response to a proposed rule for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans, the AAFP advised CMS to focus on changes that make it easier for their patients.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20200416partscdrule.html
AAFP to CMS: Protect CPC+ Practices From COVID-19 Losses
Comprehensive Primary Care Plus practices navigating the COVID-19 pandemic are endangered by financial pressures that CMS must ease, the AAFP and 28 other stakeholders told the agency in a recent letter.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20200416cpcplus.html
AAFP to CMS: To Shrink Opioid Crisis, Grow Primary Care
The AAFP told CMS that the agency can help family physicians combat the opioid misuse crisis by increasing investment in primary care physician workforce growth and reducing administrative complexity.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20191021supportact.html
AAFP to Congress: Reauthorize THCGME Program Now
The AAFP is pressing Congress to reauthorize funding for the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program before it expires Sept. 30 and urges members to join a Speak Out campaign on this critical issue.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20190917thcgmespeakout.html
AAFP to Develop Value-based Payment Model for Primary Care
Noting that family physicians are foundational to the success of value-based care in United States, the AAFP Board of Directors has approved and funded a special project to empower Academy members to partner with payers to help improve quality and control total costs of care.
AAFP News : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/news/practice-professional-issues/20210107vision2025.html
AAFP to FCC: Improve Rural Telehealth to Support Primary Care
The AAFP has responded to a proposed rule on rural telehealth from the Federal Communications Commission by offering suggestions for supporting physicians and improving patient care.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20180205ruraltelehealth.html
AAFP to Feds on Vaccines: End EHR Costs, Fight Hesitancy
The Academy has called on regulators to ensure HHS' 2020 National Vaccination Plan ends EHR financial burdens related to immunization functionality and addresses vaccine hesitancy.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20191029natvaccplan.html
AAFP to House Small Business Committee: Mandatory Prior Authorizations For Needed ...
AAFP to house small business committee: mandatory prior authorizations for needed medical services delays care, increases costs.
AAFP News : Media Center
https://www.aafp.org/news/media-center/more-releases/aafp-to-house-small-business-committee.html
AAFP to HRSA: Primary Care Services Best Delivered by FPs
The AAFP has responded to a request for information from the Health Resources and Services Administration regarding rural communities' access to health care services. Noting that 17% of AAFP members currently practice in rural areas, the Academy said FPs are best-suited to deliver ...
AAFP News : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/news/practice-professional-issues/20191009hrsaletter.html
AAFP Tools Ease Patient Risk Stratification, Care Planning
Two AAFP resources ― the Risk-Stratified Care Management Scoring Algorithm and the Risk-Stratified Care Management Rubric ― can be useful in stratifying patients into risk levels based on utilization, chronic disease status, behavioral and mental health, and social determinants of health.
AAFP News : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/news/practice-professional-issues/20210505rscmtools.html
AAFP Tools Offer Pointers on Assessing Patients for STIs
Family physicians are ideally positioned to educate patients about the dangers of sexually transmitted infections, screen for these infections and provide appropriate care. New AAFP resources on STIs aim to help them do just that.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190918stismanual.html
AAFP Tools Ready for Those Considering Primary Care First
The Primary Care First program is structurally sound and directionally appropriate, but it isn't for everyone. The Academy has developed tools to help members decide whether to apply.
AAFP News : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/news/practice-professional-issues/20191126pcftools.html
AAFP Unveils Principles for Fair Measurement, Payment in APMs
A new set of principles from the AAFP says physicians cannot address social determinants of health without adequate payment.
AAFP News : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/news/practice-professional-issues/20180518apmprinciples.html
AAFP Updates Colorectal Cancer Screening Recommendation
The AAFP’s updated recommendation on colorectal cancer screening differs slightly from that of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, including a finding that there is insufficient evidence to assess the benefits and harms of screening adults ages 45 to 49.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20210901crcscreening.html
AAFP Updates Its PSA Screening Recommendation
The AAFP has issued an updated clinical preventive service recommendation on prostate-specific antigen-based screening that differs from that of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force in its level of specificity.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20180720aafppsarec.html
AAFP Updates Recommendation for Diabetes Screening
The Academy recently published a new clinical guidance page on diabetes that features the latest clinical recommendations, implementation tools, educational materials and more.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20211216diabetes.html
AAFP Updates Recommendation on Lung Cancer Screening
The Academy has published an updated recommendation that supports the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force’s final recommendation on screening for lung cancer with low-dose CT.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20210406lungcancer.html
AAFP Updates Unhealthy Drug Use, OUD Screening Guidance
The AAFP has published an updated recommendation statement on screening for unhealthy drug use and a separate recommendation on screening for opioid use disorder, which differ somewhat from guidance issued by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20200723aafpdrugrecs.html
AAFP Urges Better Broadband for Telehealth, Health Equity
AAFP President Sterling Ransone, M.D., testified to a Senate subcommittee that improved broadband access is essential for building on the success of telehealth that has been seen during the pandemic.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20211012telehealth.html
AAFP Urges Congress to Preserve Military Medical Workforce
The AAFP and other medical groups recently asked House and Senate leaders to delay a planned decrease in military medical staffing levels.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20200901militarycuts.html
AAFP Urges Improvements to Fledgling Patient Data Initiative
The AAFP made detailed suggestions to improve CMS' recently announced initiative to improve patients' access to and control of their electronic health data.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20180322myhealthedata.html
AAFP Urges Modifications to CMS' Proposed ACO Rule
The AAFP responded in writing to CMS with suggestions on how to improve its proposed rule on accountable care organizations.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20181031acoltr.html
AAFP Urges Quick Reunification of Families Separated at Border
The AAFP recently called on the administration to quickly reunite families that have been separated at the border and to ensure that those still in custody receive appropriate health care.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20180703familyseparation.html