Advocacy in Action Newsletter
December 2024
Legislative Updates
HRS Applauds Senate Passage of Landmark HEARTS Act
The Senate unanimously passed H.R.6829, the Cardiomyopathy Health Education, Awareness, and Research, and AED Training in the Schools Act of 2024 – the HEARTS Act – on December 11, 2024. Passage of the HEARTS Act is the culmination of grassroots efforts by the Heart Rhythm Society and its partners in the Smart Heart Sports Coalition advocating for this life-saving legislation
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HRS Monitoring MedPAC’s Recommended Medicare Payment Updates and Policies
HRS continues to monitor recommendations from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), which could influence the direction of Medicare payment policies over the coming years.
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HRS Monitors Legislation to Expand Medicare Coverage for Breakthrough Medical Devices
Legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate (and previously passed by the House Ways and Means Committee) aims to expedite Medicare coverage for FDA-designated breakthrough devices.
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Regulatory Updates
HRS Monitoring CMS Proposed Changes for Medicare Advantage & Part D Plans in 2026 as Presidential Transition Creates Questions About Their Finalization
On November 26, 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed a number of changes for Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D Prescription Drug Plans in contract year 2026, many of which will be of interest to electrophysiologists and their practice staff.
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HRS Supports Cautious Approach to Implementation of Good Faith Estimate (GFE) Requirement for Insured Patients
In December 2020, the No Surprises Act was enacted after years of grappling with how to address "surprise medical bills." While many of the provisions are directed at emergency care and services where provider choice is often limited (e.g., anesthesiology and pathology), other sections of the No Surprises Act apply more broadly and could affect electrophysiologists.
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HRS Quality Reporting Alert: CMS Further Expands 2024 MIPS Automatic Exception
CMS recently announced a decision to expand the MIPS automatic Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances (EUC) exception for the 2024 performance year so that it applies to MIPS eligible clinicians in designated counties of Florida impacted by Hurricane Milton in October
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HRS Quality Reporting Alert: Check Your QPP Eligibility Status Now!
HRS members are encouraged to check their eligibility for either of the two tracks of the Quality Payment Program (QPP): MIPS and Advanced Alternative Payment Models (APMs).
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ASTP/ONC Finalize Select Policies to Promote Interoperability
The Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Heath Information Technology (ASTP/ONC) recently finalized a pared down version of its Health Data, Technology, and Interoperability: Patient Engagement, Information Sharing, and Public Health Interoperability (HTI-2) proposed rule.