THESE POSITIONS INCLUDE: American Medical Association House of Delegates • Chris Pittman, MD • Vineet Mishra, MD, Alternate American Medical Association CPT Editorial Panel Advisor • Satish Vayavegula, MD • Michael Graves, MD, Alternate American Medical Association Resource-Based Relative Value Update Committee (RUC) • John Blebea, MD • Kenneth “Trip” Todd, MD, Alternate Medicare Carrier Advisory Committee • Chris Pittman, MD—First Coast Services • Stephen Daugherty, MD—Palmetto • Michael Graves, MD—Novitas Intersocietal Accreditation Commission—Vein Center Division, Board of Directors • Khanh Nguyen, DO • Carl Fastabend, MD
AVLS ADVOCACY INSIDER (MONTHLY) We began publishing electronically to membership the Advocacy Insider during the past year to provide a timely review of new topics of interest to our members. While not comprehensive, the intent is to make members aware of issues that we think are vital for them to know. Additionally, the newsletter provides contact information for our members to learn more and get involved.
THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION The AVLS is the only organization devoted to the care of venous disorders represented at the AMA House of Delegates (HOD), the AMA CPT Editorial Panel (CPT Panel), and the ResourceBased Relative Value Update Committee (RUC).
Each of our AVLS “Senators” serves multipleyear terms in their roles that require several days out of their practices at least 2-3 times per year. The AMA HOD is the AMA policy-making body where decisions are made that affect medicine. We engage in relationships that may influence our effectiveness in our other AMA endeavors. The AMA CPT Editorial Panel writes and revises descriptions of medical services under the close supervision of CMS. A code and an accurate, detailed description of the service are essential for correct payment for the professional services and supplies necessary to perform each specific service. The RUC assigns value to the physician work and other expenses, including supplies required to perform the procedures described for each CPT code under CMS supervision with CMS veto power. An accurate description of the service from the CPT Panel and accurate assessment of the physician work and practice expenses from the RUC is key to appropriate and fair payment for old and new technologies. We are working to build our influence at the CPT Panel and the RUC.
INTERSOCIETAL ACCREDITATION COMMISSION—VEIN CENTER DIVISION (IAC-VC) The IAC-VC was formed in 2012 as an initiative from the AVLS as concern mounted about low-quality and possibly unsafe practices in vein clinics. The AVLS has two representatives on the IAC-VC Board of Directors. Several other members of the AVLS BOD also serve on the IAC—VC Division BOD representing other societies. The IAC—VC Division has engaged in efforts to convince payors to require IAC— VC Division accreditation as a condition for payment for vein treatment. This is controversial and is not generally supported by the AVLS Board of Directors. The IAC—VC Division recently published for comment revisions to its standards, which accept certification by the ABVLM as one of the key pathways to membership for the medical staff of an accredited vein center. This revision 34
