News

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…