In a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), rheumatologists and other specialists lauded proposed policies that would advance interoperability and improve prior authorization (PA) processes across health plans, including Medicare Advantage.

CSRO and the Alliance of Specialty Medicine called on CMS to ensure medications, particularly those administered in the office setting, are included in the final policies. The groups also asked CMS to implement the policies more quickly so that practices and patients would see reduced burden and care delays and to improve enforcement so that plans are held accountable for complying with the requirements, once finalized.

CSRO was in San Francisco last weekend with rheumatology fellows from around the country for our annual Fellows Conference, providing the next generation of rheumatologists with practical career tips and insights not typically taught in academic training.

Thank you to all of our speakers for sharing your insights and expertise, and special thanks to Fellow-at-Large Dr. Christopher Sonntag for his many contributions over the course of his term!

Check out all of the photos from our event, and keep an eye on our Education Library because recordings from this year's event will be available soon.

CSRO is recruiting for a Fellow-at-Large to serve as a non-voting member of our Board of Directors for a one-year term beginning May 1.

This position provides a unique experience for a Fellow to engage with CSRO's Board members, who are rheumatologists from across the United States with years of varied career experiences, and to be a liaison to other fellows about the importance of advocacy in rheumatology. 

The application deadline is March 30. Interested or know someone who might be? Check out our website for more information and details on how to apply.

Cheers to 20 years! Advocating for patient access to care has been the cornerstone of CSRO’s mission since we were founded in 2003, and 2023 marks CSRO’s 20th anniversary!

Join us this August in celebrating our two decades of serving as a voice for rheumatology at our 2023 Advocacy Conference featuring keynote speaker Dr. Alex Oshmyansky, Founder and CEO of the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company.

Don't miss this renowned physician, speaker, and founder as he shares the inception story of his unprecedented company – register now to be a part of CSRO's anniversary celebration.

2023 Advocacy Conference

August 25-27

Austin, TX

ICYMI: Opportunity For Action in Your State

The following states have active legislation that needs your support – make your voice heard today:

Georgia

Biomarker Testing Coverage

• Take Action: HB 85

Illinois

Rebate Pass Through

• Take Action: HB 1054

Maryland

Biomarker Testing Coverage

• Take Action: HB1217/SB805

Oregon

Accumulator Programs

• Take Action: SB 565

What's Happening in the States

CSRO tracks legislative activity relevant to the rheumatology community and their patients. Check out the list below to see the status of CSRO priority bills from the past two weeks, and click here to view a full status report.

Be sure to check out our interactive legislative map tool for additional details.

ARKANSAS

Gold Card

• HB 1271: Approved by House, referred to Senate Insurance and Commerce committee

CONNECTICUT

Biomarker Testing Coverage

• SB 976: Public hearing held 2/14
• HB 6628: Re-referred to committee on Appropriations

GEORGIA

Biomarker Testing

• HB 85: Approved by the Senate

Rebate Pass Through

• HB 343: Approved by House, transmitted to the Senate
• SB 286: Introduced, read and referred

White Bagging

• HB 417: Reported do pass by committee

FLORIDA

Biomarker Testing

• HB 805: Referred to Health and Human Services committee, and Healthcare Regulation and Appropriations subcommittees
• SB 1218: Introduced

White Bagging

• HB 203: Referred to Healthcare Regulation subcommittee
• SB 1638: Introduced and referred to Banking and Insurance, Health Policy, Rules committees

ILLINOIS

Rebate Pass Through

• HB 1054: Re-referred to Rules committee

White Bagging

• SB 1255: Re-assigned to Assignments committee
• HB 2814: Re-referred to Rules committee

IOWA

Non-medical Switching

• HF 626: Passed House and referred to Health and Human Services committee

MAINE

Gold Card

• HB 485: Referred to committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services

MASSACHUSETTS

Rebate Pass Through

• HB 978: Referred to committee on Financial Services

Non-medical Switching

• HB 982: Referred to committee on Financial Services

MARYLAND

Biomarker Testing

• SB 805: Public hearing held
• HB 1217: Public hearing held

MINNESOTA

Biomarker Testing

• SF 1948: Reported do pass and re-referred to Health and Human Services committee
• HF 1978: Introduced and referred to Commerce, Finance, and Policy committee

Non-medical Switching

• SF 328: Reported do pass and re-referred to Commerce and Consumer Protection committee

Rebate Pass Through

• SF 2889: Referred to Health and Human Services committee
• HF 1711: Reported do pass and re-referred to Commerce, Finance, and Policy

White Bagging

• SF 482: Reported do pass as amended
• HF 544: Reported do pass as amended and re-referred to Commerce Finance and Policy

MISSOURI

Gold Card

• HB 1045: Referred to General Laws committee

White Bagging

• HB 198: Referred to Health and Mental Health Policy committee 
• SB 26: Hearing conducted 

MONTANA

White Bagging

• SB 223: Died, missed deadline for crossover

Gold Card

• SB 380: Approved by Senate, transmitted to House

NEW HAMPSHIRE

White Bagging

• HB 513: Retained in committee

NEW MEXICO

Accumulators

• SB 51: Passed the Senate, referred to House Health committee
• SB 14: Reported do pass by Tax, Business and Transportation and Judiciary committees 

Rebate Pass Through

• SB 14: Reported do pass by Tax, Business and Transportation and Judiciary committees 

Biomarker Testing

• HB 73: Reported do pass by Senate Finance committee

NORTH DAKOTA

Accumulators

• HB 1413: Passed the House, Referred to Senate Human Services committee

Non-medical Switching & Prior Authorization

• SB 2389: Hearing held

OKLAHOMA

Biomarker Testing

• SB 513: Approved by Senate, transmitted to the House

Step Therapy

• HB 1736: Approved by the House, transmitted to the Senate

OREGON

Accumulators

• SB 565: Public hearing held, work session scheduled for 3/29

RHODE ISLAND

Gold Card

• S290: Introduced and referred to Senate Health and Human Services

Utilization Management and PBM Rebate Reform

• H5078: Committee recommends measure be held for further study

White Bagging

• H5680: Scheduled for hearing, 3/15

TEXAS

Accumulators

• HB 999: Referred to Health Care Reform committee
• SB 1576: Filed

Rebate Pass Through

• HB 2180: Referred to Health Care Reform Committee

White Bagging

• HB 1647: Referred to Insurance committee
• SB 1138: Referred to Health and Human Services committee

VERMONT

Accumulators

• H233: Introduced and referred to Health Care committee

Rebate Pass Through

• H233: Introduced and referred to Health Care committee

WISCONSIN

Accumulators

• SB 100: Introduced and referred to committee on Insurance and Small Business
• AB: 103: Introduced and referred to committee on Health, Aging and Long-term Care 

Other Ways CSRO is Taking Action in the States

2023 marked the beginning of a new two-year legislative cycle for most state governments. The CSRO Board of Directors chose to kick-off this new cycle by focusing on strengthening relationships with their state legislators.

Meetings are well underway as Board Members work to educate their state officials about current issues impacting their patients and practice. Join us in taking action by inviting legislators to visit your office to help raise awareness about issues impacting the rheumatology community! Using CSRO's Action Center, you can easily send our pre-populated template message to your elected officials with an invitation to connect. If you receive a response, email us at info@csro.info and we will help you prepare for the visit.

Business of Rheumatology: March 23, 2023

Learn about the realities of in-office dispensing at CSRO's new virtual seminar series to help support rheumatology practices in building and strengthening their business.

Regional Town Halls: Mondays in April & May

Hear advocacy updates specific to your area and network with your community members.

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

Join us in Austin for our Advocacy Conference and celebration of our 20th Anniversary! 

Action Center

Use CSRO's Voter-Voice engagement platform to easily communicate and engage directly with your elected officials.

Career Center

Locate the perfect fit whether you're looking for new career opportunities or trying to find the right candidate.

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.

Payer Issues Reporting Form

Request assistance with any payer relation issues that may be impacting your patients or office.

Policy Correspondence

Easily access all of CSRO’s policy letters submitted to payers, state, and federal governments as an informational resource.

Questions?

Please visit the CSRO website for other news and updates, and do not hesitate to contact us with any questions at info@csro.info.