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Registration Open for November Global Grand Rounds Webinar: Disruption and Innovation in Otology and Neurotology
Don’t miss the AAO-HNS Global Grand Rounds webinar, “Disruption and Innovation in Otology and Neurotology” on Saturday, November 5 at 9:00 AM EST! Sign up tod…
Surgical Ergonomics for the Woman Surgeon Webinar: October 5
Geeta Lal, MD, associate professor of surgery at the University of Iowa and co-founder of the Society for Surgical Ergonomics will speak on how ergonomics affe…
AAO-HNS Advocates for Immediate Change to Horizon’s Modifier 25 Policy
Advocacy, Private Payer Advocacy
Effective August 1, 2022, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield will reimburse E/M services appended with Modifier 25 at 50% if a procedural code is reported on the s…
AAO-HNS Summary of CY 2023 MPFS Proposed Rule
Advocacy, Physician Payment Reform, Private Payer Advocacy, Regulatory Relief, Reimbursement
On July 7, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the CY 2023 Proposed Rule for the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS), which also…
Cigna Delays New Modifier 25 Policy
Private Payer Advocacy
Following advocacy efforts by the AAO-HNS and other impacted specialties, Cigna announced that it plans to delay the implementation of their reimbursement poli…
Academy Urges CMS to Work with Physicians to Review Appropriate Use Criteria Program
Advocacy, Regulatory Relief
The Academy joined the American Medical Association and 42 other medical societies and associations to urge the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (C…
Cigna Announces Reimbursement Policy Update Related to Modifier 25
Private Payer Advocacy
Effective August 13, 2022, Cigna will require the submission of office notes with claims submitted with evaluation and management (E/M) CPT codes 99212, 99213,…
HRSA Details New Requirements for Late PRF Reporting
Advocacy, Regulatory Relief
Last week, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced that it would reopen the reporting portal for recipients of Period 1 Provider Reli…
Registration Open for May Global Grand Rounds Webinar: Artificial Intelligence in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery
Don’t miss the AAO-HNS Global Grand Rounds webinar, “Artificial Intelligence in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery” on Saturday, May 14 at 9:00 AM EST! Si…
2022 Health Policy Scholarship
The AAO-HNS and the American College of Surgeons (ACS) are offering an annual scholarship to subsidize attendance and participation in the Health Leadership Pr…
Update to Clinical Practice Guideline on Most Common Outpatient Surgery Performed on Children: Tympanostomy Tubes
ALEXANDRIA, VA ‒ The American Academy of Otolaryngology‒Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) published the Clinical Practice Guideline: Tympanostomy Tub…
Expired: 2022 Global Grand Round Webinar Series
The AAO-HNS 2022 Global Grand Rounds webinar series launches on Saturday, February 12, 9:00am (ET). The first topic of our 2022 series focuses on Chronic Rhino…
CMS Releases 2022 Physician Fee Schedule/Quality Payment Program Final Rule
Advocacy, Regulatory Relief
On November 2, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a final rule implementing changes to the Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Paym…
AAO-HNS Supports COVID-19 Physician Liability Protection Legislation
The AAO-HNS joined members of the Health Coalition on Liability and Access (HCLA) to offer its strong endorsement of H.R. 3021. The “Coronavirus Provider Prote…
AAO-HNS Comments on Second No Surprises Act Interim Final Rule
Advocacy
On December 6, the Academy joined 20 other surgical specialties in submitting coalition comments on the most recent No Surprises Act regulations. The joint com…
International Young Physicians Virtual Forum- Learn how to Avoid Publishing Pitfalls- Free Webinar
International Young Physicians Virtual Forum- Learn how to Avoid Publishing Pitfalls- Free WebinarRegistration is now open for the 2022 International Young Phy…
CMS Releases 2022 HOPPS/ASC Final Rule
Regulatory Relief
On November 2, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the calendar year 2022 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS)/Am…
AAO-HNS Comments on CY 2022 HOPPS/ASC Proposed Rule
Regulatory Relief
On September 17, the AAO-HNS submitted a comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on the CY 2022 Hospital Outpatient Prospectiv…
AAO-HNS Comments on CY 2022 Medicare PFS/QPP Proposed Rule
Regulatory Relief
On September 13, the AAO-HNS submitted a comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on the CY 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedul…
AAO-HNS Summary of CY 2022 MPFS Proposed Rule
Regulatory Relief
On July 13, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the CY 2022 Proposed Rule for the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS), which also …
AAO-HNS Virtual Career Fair
Attend the AAO-HNS Virtual Career Fair on September 9 from 5-8 pm (ET) to connect with private practice employers, group practices, hospitals, health systems, …
AAO-HNS Continues Medicare Advocacy Efforts on Payment for PPE
Regulatory Relief
On February 1 the AAO-HNS submitted a comment letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding its interim final policy on coding and p…
AAO-HNS Releases Summary of Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute Final Rules
Regulatory Relief
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued two new regulations, which took effect on January 19, that have implications for otolaryngologists and…
CMS Releases Revised 2021 Physician Fee Schedule Conversion Factor
Regulatory Relief
On January 7 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced modifications to the calendar year 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) base…
AAO-HNS Comments on CY 2021 HOPPS Final Rule
Regulatory Relief
On January 4 the AAO-HNS submitted a comment letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services on the Calendar Year 2021 Hospital Outpatient Prospective…
CMS Releases Calendar Year 2021 HOPPS Final Rule
Regulatory Relief
On December 2 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the calendar year 2021 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS) final…
AAO-HNS Preliminary Summary of CY 2021 MPFS Final Rule
Regulatory Relief
On December 1 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2021 Final Rule for the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and Quality Paym…
AAO-HNS Comments on CY 2021 MPFS Proposed Rule
Regulatory Relief
On October 5, the AAO-HNS submitted a comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on the CY 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule a…
AAO-HNS Comments on CY 2021 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS) Proposed Rule
Regulatory Relief
On October 5, the AAO-HNS submitted a comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on the CY 2021 Medicare HOPPS proposed rule. The…
Medicare to Require Prior Authorization for Certain Outpatient Department Services Starting July 1, 2020
Regulatory Relief
In the Calendar Year 2020 Outpatient Prospective Payment System/Ambulatory Surgical Center Final Rule (2020 OPPS Final Rule), the Centers for Medicare and Medi…
AAO-HNS Comments on Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule
Regulatory Relief
On December 30, the AAO-HNS submitted comments to CMS regarding the CY 2020 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule. In the November 15 federal register not…
AAO-HNS Comments on Medicare CY 2020 Hospital Outpatient Proposed Rule
Regulatory Relief
On September 27, the AAO-HNS submitted a comment letter to CMS regarding the CY 2020 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulat…
AAO-HNS Comments on Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule
Regulatory Relief
On August 30, the AAO-HNS submitted a comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on the CY 2020 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule a…
CMS Heeds AAO-HNS Concerns on CY 2019 MPFS
Regulatory Relief
On November 1, 2018, CMS released a final rule implementing changes to the 2019 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. In response to AAO-HNS advocacy and coordinate…
CMS Releases CY 2020 MPFS/QPP Proposed Rule
Regulatory Relief
On July 29, 2019, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the CY 2020 Proposed Rule for the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS), which…
AAO-HNS Comments on CY 2019 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule
Regulatory Relief
On December 31, the AAO-HNS submitted a comment letter on the CY 2019 PFS Final Rule thanking CMS for implementing multiple policy changes positively impacting…
CMS Releases CY 2019 OPPS and ASC Final Rule
Regulatory Relief
On November 2, 2018, CMS released a final rule implementing changes to the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center…
AAO-HNS Comments on Medicare CY 2019 Hospital Outpatient Proposed Rule
Regulatory Relief
On September 24, the AAO-HNS submitted a comment letter to CMS regarding the CY 2019 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulat…
AAO-HNS Submits Comments on Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule
Regulatory Relief
On September 10, the AAO-HNS submitted a comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) addressing several components of the CY 2019 …
CMS Releases CY 2019 MPFS/QPP Proposed Rule
Regulatory Relief
On July 12, 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the CY 2019 Proposed Rule for the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). Whi…
Phillips Recall of PAP Devices
On June 14, 2021, Phillips issued a voluntary recall notification of positive air pressure (PAP) and ventilator devices. The recall applies to all Phillips dev…
Announcing the International Advisory Board (IAB) Chair-elect: Sheng-Po Hao, MD
Sheng-Po Hao, MD, has been selected to become the Chair-elect of the International Advisory Board (IAB). Dr. Hao is professor and chair of the Department of Ot…
Annual Election Results
Thank you for sharing your voice and helping to decide the future of the specialty. The results are now in and have been verified. Find out which leaders were …
AAO-HNS/F Strategic Plan: Updated April 2021
Our Strategic Plan sets the overall direction of the organization by defining specific goals and objectives that guide resource management.
CMS Releases FY 2022 Inpatient Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule (5-13-21)
On April 27, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) proposed rule.…
Expired: Join the SRF Governing Council
Apply today for a position on the SRF Governing Council. Applications are due by August 2nd.
Now Closed Resident Leadership Grants Now Open
Applications for Resident Leadership Grants to help defray the cost of attending the AAO-HNS/F 2021 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience, October 3-6 in Los Ang…
AAO-HNS Celebrates House of Representatives Passage of Anti-Tobacco Legislation
Advocacy
Over the course of the past year, the American Academy of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) has collaborated with a number of physician and publi…
Medicare Begins Advance Payment Recoupment
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that the agency has begun recouping COVID-19 Accelerated and Advance Payments (CAAPs) received…
#MakeOTOstronger Today!
Donate to the 125 Strong Campaign to help shape the future of the specialty.
Reg-ent℠ Entering Next Phase of Data Transfer
Reg-ent
The Reg-ent registry is now firmly in its next phase of development curating data to be made available for research and reaching out for volunteers to particip…
Now Closed: Call for Nominations: WIO Governing Council
Apply for a position on the WIO Governing Council. Applications are due by August 2nd. APPLY TODAY
Now Closed: Young Physicians Travel Grant
Applications are now being accepted for 10 grants of $500 each to subsidize the costs of attending the AAO-HNSF 2021 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience. These…
Expired: Call for Nominations: YPS Governing Council
Apply for a position on the YPS Governing Council. Applications are due by July 19. APPLY TODAY
Reg-ent Clinical Data Registry
Research
Reg-ent, focused on quality improvement and patient outcomes, is an essential tool to advance outcomes in the specialty.
Anthem Announces Extension of Telehealth Flexibility (4/12/21)
Private Payer Advocacy
On April 6, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield announced that, until further notice, they will continue to cover telephone-only medical services from in-network and…
Wellmark Reverses Negative Coverage Policy for Balloon Sinus Ostial Dilation (11/19/20)
Private Payer Advocacy
Following extensive advocacy efforts by the AAO-HNS, the Iowa Academy of Otolaryngology, and other stakeholders, Wellmark revised its medical policy, “Function…
AAO-HNS Comments on Humana’s New Imaging and Interpretation Criteria (11/2/20)
Private Payer Advocacy
On November 2, the Academy sent comments to Humana opposing their new Imaging and Interpretation Criteria for Diagnostic Imaging Authorizations. The new criter…
AAO-HNS Advocates for Coverage of Balloon Sinus Ostial Dilation (8/5/20)
Private Payer Advocacy
On July 1, following the Academy’s advocacy efforts and submission of clinical input, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program updated its medical p…
AAO-HNS Continues Advocacy on Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation Coverage for Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (7/20/20)
Private Payer Advocacy
On July 20, the AAO-HNS sent comments to Anthem opposing their medical policy designating hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HGNS) as experimental / investigationa…
AAO-HNS Comments on Cigna Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment Services Coverage Policy (6/24/2020)
Private Payer Advocacy
On June 15, the AAO-HNS sent comments to Cigna opposing their medical policy on “Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment Services” which designated hypoglossal nerve…
AAO-HNS Continues Advocacy on Balloon Ostial Dilation for Treatment of Chronic Rhinosinusitis (2/5/2020)
Private Payer Advocacy
On February 5, the AAO-HNS sent comments to Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Federal Employee Program (BCBS FEP) opposing their medical policy designating balloon osti…
UHC Revises Medical Policies on Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery and Balloon Sinus Ostial Dilation (11/14/2019)
Private Payer Advocacy
In response to comments submitted by the AAO-HNS, United Healthcare (UHC) has revised its Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery and Balloon Sinus Ostial Dilation…
AAO-HNS Comments on Anthem BCBS of Virginia’s Modifier 25 Policy (7/23/2019)
Private Payer Advocacy
On July 23, the Academy sent a letter to Anthem BCBS of Virginia expressing our strong opposition to their revised modifier 25 reimbursement policy. According…
AAO-HNS Comments on Anthem’s Modifier 25 Policy (6/11/2019)
Private Payer Advocacy
On June 11, the Academy sent a letter to Anthem expressing our strong opposition to their revised modifier 25 reimbursement policy. According to the new polic…
AAO-HNS Comments on Moda Health’s Reimbursement Policy (5/21/2019)
Private Payer Advocacy
On May 21, the Academy commented on Moda Health’s reimbursement policy on postoperative sinus endoscopy and/or debridement procedures. According to the policy …
AAO-HNS Comments on Emblem Health’s Modifier 25 and E/M Policy (4/11/19)
Private Payer Advocacy
On 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 wi…
Highmark Now Covers Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation (4/11/2019)
Private Payer Advocacy
Effective April 8, 2019, Highmark Blue Shield now considers eustachian tube balloon dilation medically necessary in adult individuals (22 years and older) when…
Highmark Now Covers Standalone Balloon Sinus Ostial Dilation of the Sinus (2/28/2019)
Private Payer Advocacy
Effective February 18, 2019, Blue Cross Blue Shield Highmark updated its commercial medical policies in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia to cover stan…
Academy Continues Advocacy on Balloon Sinus Ostial Dilation (1/23/2019)
Private Payer Advocacy
In response to member feedback, the AAO-HNS submitted multiple comment letters to various private payers opposing their coverage policies designating balloon s…
Signed into Law: American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
On March 11, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) was enacted into law, after passage in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. The newest COVID r…
New AMA Resource Available on the “No Surprises Act”
On December 27, 2020 the “No Surprises Act” was signed into law. This legislation, which enacts changes to federal law to protect patients from the financial i…
Federal and State Financial Relief Information
Deadline Approaching to Apply for Phase 3 Provider Relief Fund PaymentsPhysicians have until Friday, November 6 to apply to the additional $20 billion in new …
COVID-19 Anosmia Reporting Tool: Initial Findings
The first data from the AAO-HNS COVID-19 Anosmia Reporting Tool was analyzed and reported in the following article, which has been accepted for publication in …
Statement from AAO-HNS President Duane J. Taylor, MD
The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) realizes that our country is currently in the midst of a crisis and potentially at a cro…
ENT Physicians and Researchers Showcase Studies at Otolaryngology’s Virtual Annual Meeting
ALEXANDRIA, VA— During the AAO-HNSF 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting & OTO Experience, which runs from September 13 through October 25, the most current researc…
American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and Its Foundation Announce New President: Carol R. Bradford, MD, MS
ALEXANDRIA, VA – Carol R. Bradford, MD, MS, became the new President of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) and its Foundati…
CYBERSECURITY ADVISORY Ransomware Activity Targeting U.S. Healthcare and Public Health Sector
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) i…
CARES Act Provisions Impacting Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Advocacy
On March 27, President Trump signed into law H.R. 748, the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” or the “CARES” Act. A summary of the provisions…
Ménière’s Disease: New Clinical Practice Guideline to Enhance Diagnostic Accuracy and Treatment
ALEXANDRIA, VA ‒ The American Academy of Otolaryngology‒Head and Neck Surgery Foundation published the Clinical Practice Guideline: Ménière’s Disease today in …
The AAO-HNSF Releases List of Common Tests and Treatments to Question as Part of the Choosing Wisely® Campaign
ALEXANDRIA, VA — The American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) today released its second list of specific tests and treatm…
AAO-HNSF Clinical Practice Guideline: Tympanostomy Tubes in Children
ALEXANDRIA, VA – A multidisciplinary clinical practice guideline that helps physicians identify children most likely to benefit from tympanostomy tubes, provid…
The AAO-HNSF, as Part of the Choosing Wisely® Campaign, Identifies Five Commonly Used Tests and Treatments to Question
ALEXANDRIA, VA — The American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) released a list of specific tests and treatments that are c…