AAO-HNS Comments on Anthem’s Modifier 25 Policy (6/11/2019)
Private Payer AdvocacyOn June 11, the Academy sent a letter to Anthem expressing our strong opposition to their revised modifier 25 reimbursement policy. According to the new policy, and effective for dates of service May 1, 2019 and beyond, Anthem may deny an E/M service, with…
AAO-HNS Comments on Moda Health's Reimbursement Policy (5/21/2019)
Private Payer AdvocacyOn May 21, the Academy commented on Moda Health’s reimbursement policy on postoperative sinus endoscopy and/or debridement procedures. According to the policy and effective for dates of service April 1, 2019, and beyond, Postoperative sinus endoscopies (31231) and postoperative sinus debridements (31237, S2342…
AAO-HNS Comments on Emblem Health’s Modifier 25 and E/M Policy (4/11/19)
Private Payer AdvocacyOn April 3, the Academy submitted a comment letter to Emblem Health opposing the company’s reimbursement policy to deny E/M services billed with modifier 25 within 28 days of a previous face-to-face service. The following will be denied: The E/M…
Highmark Now Covers Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation (4/11/2019)
Private Payer AdvocacyEffective April 8, 2019, Highmark Blue Shield now considers eustachian tube balloon dilation medically necessary in adult individuals (22 years and older) when ALL the following criteria are present: Diagnosis of chronic ETD and; Tympanogram type B or C and; Absence of a co-morbid…
Highmark Now Covers Standalone Balloon Sinus Ostial Dilation of the Sinus (2/28/2019)
Private Payer AdvocacyEffective February 18, 2019, Blue Cross Blue Shield Highmark updated its commercial medical policies in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia to cover stand-alone balloon sinus ostial dilation (BSOD). Highmark now considers BSOD as medically necessary in the sinus being considered for dilation (i.e…
AAO21: Otitis Media with Effusion: Hearing Test for Chronic OME > 3 months
Quality MeasureDownload PDF High Priority: No; N/A NQF Number: N/A Percentage of patients age 6 months to 12 years of age at the time of the visit with a diagnosis of otitis media with effusion including chronic serous, mucoid, or nonsuppurative otitis media with…
Planned Giving - Bequests
One key feature of planned giving is the ability to provide benefits to you as well as AAO-HNS foundation, as part of a sound overall financial plan. Planned giving provides you with a way to make a significant charitable gift and create a…
Hal Foster, MD Endowment
A charitable gift to the Hal Foster, MD Endowment ensures the future of the specialty through endowed lectures, research grants, International Visiting Scholarships (IVS), and humanitarian grants as well as providing opportunities specific to residents, young physicians, women, and promoting diversity of the specialty…
Ways to Donate to the Foundation
You can support the AAO-HNS Foundation today by donating to the Annual Fund or support the future of the specialty by donating to the Foundation's Hal Foster, MD Endowment. Create a Tradition of Giving Back Annual Fund donations are used to support…
Why Donate to the Foundation?
By donating to the foundation, you are supporting your specialty. TEN WAYS YOUR DONATION WILL BE USED TODAY AND TOMORROW TODAY’s Annual Fund: Advances the understanding and treatment of diseases through research. Develops guidelines and quality measures to improve standards of patient care…
Hal Foster Endowment Donors
Thanking Our Donors! The AAO-HNS foundation sincerely thanks our donors for their generous support to the Hal Foster, MD Endowment and for ensuring the future of their specialty for generations to come. The Hal Foster, MD Endowment enables the AAO-HNS foundation to…
Response to Private Payer Policy Reimbursing 50% E/M Services Performed with Concurrent Procedure
The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) is aware of a private payer’s policy to reimburse Evaluation and Management (E/M) services at a 50 percent rate when a significant, separately identifiable E/M service (appended with the 25…
Rande H. Lazar: Advancing Socio-economic Research in Otolaryngology
Rande H. Lazar, MD, of Memphis, TN, recently established an endowment for the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery in support of gathering socio-economic data related to otolaryngology. His goal is to inspire the investigation of health services and socioeconomic issues…
Bobby R. Alford, MD – Renowned Leader and Innovator
Dr. Bobby R. Alford’s dedication to the specialty of otolaryngology is evidenced by his accomplishments in patient care, education, and research at the department named in his honor at Baylor College of Medicine. His commitment to education and the training of otolaryngologists has…
Herbert Silverstein: Advancing Research in Otology and Neurotology
Herbert Silverstein, MD, FACS of Sarasota, FL, has established an endowment at the American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery in support ofclinical or basic science research projects focused on diseases of the peripheral or central auditory /vestibular system. His goal is is…
AAO34: Dysphonia: Postoperative Laryngeal Examination
Quality MeasureDownload PDF High Priority: No; N/A NQF Number: N/A Percentage of patients age 18 years and older who were diagnosed with new onset dysphonia within 2 months after a thyroidectomy who received or were referred for a laryngeal examination to examine vocal fold…
Funding Decisions
GrantAAO-HNSF Sponsored Grants Grant award decisions are based on the scores of the meritorious applications. Following the grant review and scoring process, the meritorious applications are recommended by the CORE Study Section for final approval by the Executive Vice President/CEO of the Academy…
Full Application Review
GrantReview Considerations All applications are reviewed based on the NIH review process and 1-9 scoring system with 1 exceptional. Applications are evaluated for scientific and technical merit by experts in the subject matter of the application. Reviewers comprising the CORE Study Section represent…
