PM&R's Response to COVID-19

Advocacy

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AAPM&R Collaborations and Partnerships

AAPM&R is working to ensure PM&R is part of the national conversation about healthcare amidst COVID-19 and advocating for the federal support, legislation, regulation relief and resources that physiatrists need now.

Long COVID Education, Engagement, and Care Management

The Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS) received supplemental funding to improve clinician education and engagement in the care of patients with Long COVID from the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Long COVID Research and Practice in partnership with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Academy is working with CMSS on this grant.

HHS Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Long COVID

Monica Verduzco-Gutierrez, MD, FAAPMR, has been appointed to the HHS Secretary Advisory Committee on Long COVID. This committee will inform action of the Executive Branch on Long COVID and associated conditions, with a focus on health equity, by providing recommendations to the Secretary through the Assistant Secretary for Health.

NASEM Workgroup on Examining the Working Definition for Long COVID

Monica Verduzco-Gutierrez, MD, FAAPMR, is participating on the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine committee that is examining and recommending a new definition for Long COVID.  

AHRQ COVID-19 Research Grants

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), announced the approval of 28 research grants designed to explore essential questions about the delivery of healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic. Check out the Academy's advocacy for this funding. 

Stay Up-to-Date

Just Announced: Second Round of Sweeping Changes to Support U.S. Healthcare System During COVID-19 Pandemic

Apr 30, 2020

On April 30, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued another round of sweeping regulatory waivers and rule changes to deliver expanded care to the nation’s seniors and provide flexibility to the health care system as America begins to reopen.

AAPM&R is currently undergoing an in-depth review of these lengthy materials, but we can share an important update with you below. As we take a closer look at the materials from CMS, we will share additional information with you.

  • Back on April 13, AAPM&R sent a letter to CMS advocating that audio-only (telephone) E/M visits should be reimbursed at the same rate as face-to-face E/M visits. In response, CMS has approved (retroactive to March 1) higher reimbursement for audio-only telephone visits. Instead of being reimbursed at $14-41, these services will now be reimbursed at a rate of $46-110, which CMS indicates matches the payment for similar office and outpatient visits.

Stay tuned for our in-depth analysis of these changes soon.