• FIX LINK: here [3]

As the 113th Congress looks to tackle major policy areas such as comprehensive tax and health care payment reform, the Academy has been active at the forefront of these discussions.

Payment Reform and the Repeal of the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR)

In February 2013, leadership from the U.S. House Committees on Energy & Commerce and Ways & Means solicited comments from the provider community regarding payment reform and the repeal of the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR). Specifically, the outlined proposed to:

• Repeal the SGR and provide a period of predictable, statutorily-defined payment rates;
• Reform Medicare's fee-for-service (FFS) payment system to better reflect the quality of the care provided;
• Further reform Medicare's FFS payment system to also account for the efficiency of care provided.

Click  here [4] to view the proposal in its entirety.

The Academy was pleased to offer comments in support of a more predictable, statutorily-defined and equitably allocated payment system. Additionally, we noted the efficacy of audiologic care and our subsequent endorsement for rewarding providers for meeting high-quality standards. We did remark, however, that smaller professions, such as audiology, are still acclimating to the measures development and reporting processes and, as such, encouraged an adequate adjustment period for this model. Finally, we reiterated the Academy's support for direct access to audiologists for Medicare beneficiaries and offered this as an example as Congress looks for ways to improve and streamline care. To view the Academy's comments, click  here [5].  

In April 2013, leadership from the U.S. House Committees on Energy & Commerce and Ways & Means followed-up the aforementioned proposal with a more detailed and refined second iteration which reflected stakeholder input, including the comments offered by the Academy. This second draft also included three phases/goals:

• Phase I: Stable, Predictable Updates
• Phase II: Portion of Payment Based on Quality through Update Incentive Program (UIP)
• Phase III: Reward for Efficient Resource Use

Click  here [6] to view the second iteration in its entirety.

 

Again, the Academy supports the goals of the proposal but offered additional comments to ensure audiology's unique perspective is represented as these reforms are being developed. Specifically, the Academy noted concerns with the Phase II portion which references an "alternative, yet similar" initiative to the UIP for non-physicians. Additionally, we noted the current lack of measures reportable by audiologists under the current Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) and the subsequent challenges the profession faces. To view the Academy's comments, click  here [7].

 

In addition to the audiology-specific comments we submitted, the Academy joined forces with our allies from the Patient's Access to Responsible Care Alliance (PARCA), a coalition of organizations representing hundreds-of-thousands of non-physician providers across the country, to reiterate our likeminded views that non-physician professionals should be included in the reform discussions. The Academy's membership in this coalition affords valuable opportunities, such as this, to express concerns of importance to these united organizations in an effective manner. Click  here [8] to view the PARCA comments.

On May 28, 2013, the Academy was among the provider groups invited to attend a briefing by professional staff for the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee and submitted  additional comments [9] in response to their subsequent request for feedback.

Comprehensive Tax Reform

In February 2013, as part of ongoing efforts towards comprehensive tax reform, the U.S. House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) and Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI) announced the formation of 11 separate Ways and Means Committee Tax Reform Working Groups. These Working Groups will be compiling feedback on their designated topic areas, based in part on comments received from community stakeholders. Click here [10] for more information.

Alongside other hearing health organizations, the Academy filed comments to the Manufacturer Working Group, outlining the benefits of the hearing aid tax credit legislation. Click here[[[FIX]]] [3] to learn more about the legislation, and  here [11] to view the comments submitted by the hearing health organizations.