Prior Authorization Reforms: Alliance of Specialty Medicine Participates in CMS’ Roundtable

This week, the Alliance of Specialty Medicine (ASM), of which CSRO is a founding member, participated in a roundtable discussion on prior authorization processes and recent proposals for reform.

CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, and other senior agency leaders led the conversation with representatives from the provider community, including hospitals, primary care providers, and specialty physicians. Press reports following the event highlighted survey results from the Alliance on challenges with prior authorizations. Review a full summary of the meeting here.

Happening Now: Field Testing of Rheumatology Cost Measure Begins

CMS and its contractor, Acumen, LLC, will conduct field testing from January 17 to February 14, 2023 for a new Rheumatoid Arthritis episode-based cost measure for potential future use under the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS).

Starting on January 17, Field Test Reports for eligible clinicians and clinician groups will be available on the Quality Payment Program Portal. Field Test Reports contain information about a clinician's cost performance based on draft measure specifications. The measurement period for these Field Test Reports is from January 1 to December 31, 2021. 

The MACRA Feedback Page also includes several documents, such as the field testing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), the draft measure specifications for the RA measure, national testing results, and other resources to guide rheumatologists in providing feedback.

CSRO has actively participated in the development of the RA measure, and welcomes your feedback, which will inform our formal comments – email your thoughts to info@csro.info.

Advocacy Insider Part 2: Making it Happen

You don’t need to be an expert on policy to be involved in advocacy!

Log in on February 8 for the second installment of our Advocacy Insider series to learn from former Congressional health policy staff about what stands out in conversations and why it’s important for elected officials to hear from you, their constituents.

Plus, receive insights directly from a rheumatologist about their experiences successfully advocating for change, followed by an overview of anticipated opportunities for engagement in state activity in 2023.

Advocacy Insider Part 2

Wednesday, February 8

4:30pm PT / 5:30pm MT / 6:30pm CT / 7:30pm ET

What's Happening in the States

CSRO tracks legislative activity relevant to the rheumatology community and their patients – click here to view a full status report.

Be sure to check out our interactive legislative map tool for additional information about current policy in your state.

CSRO's Fellows Conference: March 10-11, 2023

Help rheumatology fellows as they prepare for their future roles as physicians by encouraging them to attend CSRO's 2023 Fellows Conference – an annual event curated by rheumatologists specifically for rheumatology fellows. Registration closes February 8.

CSRO's National Town Hall: January 25, 2023

2023 marks 20 years of advocacy for CSRO! Join us virtually for a National Town Hall to learn updates on our advocacy work and share about issues impacting you or your practice.

Advocacy Insider Part 2 - Making it Happen: February 8, 2023

Join CSRO for the second installment in our new webinar series highlighting what advocacy really is and the simple things you can do to make a positive impact.

CSRO's Advocacy Conference: August 25-27, 2023

Mark your calendars to join us in Austin for CSRO's Advocacy Conference and celebration of our 20th Anniversary! 

• Payer Issues Reporting Form
• Request assistance with any payer relation issues that may be impacting your patients or office.
• Legislative Map Tool
• Find your state on our interactive map tool to learn about current or proposed policy and ways you can take action to make an impact.
• Action Center
• Use CSRO's Voter-Voice engagement platform to easily communicate and engage directly with your elected officials.
• Policy Correspondence Archive
• Easily access all of CSRO’s policy letters submitted to payers, state, and federal governments as an informational resource.
• Career Center
• Locate the perfect fit whether you're looking for new career opportunities or trying to find the right candidate.