News from ACOI

Prior Authorization Burden Remains High Despite Insurer Promises

A new American Medical Association (AMA) survey of 1,000 physicians finds that prior authorization processes continue to have a devastating effect on patient outcome

ACOI Joins Coalition in Asking for Step Therapy Regulations

The ACOI has joined more than 100 organizations are part of the Safe Step Ad Hoc Coalition in a letter asking the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to unde

ACOI Endorses New Prior Authorization Bill

As part of a multifaceted approach to reform prior authorization, Reps.

USCIS Lifts Processing Holds for Physicians

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has lifted processing holds on immigration benefit applications filed by or on behalf of medical physicians.

Medicare GLP-1 Program Begins July 1

Beginning July 1, 2026 through Dec. 31, 2027, Medicare beneficiaries with Part D coverage may be eligible to access certain GLP-1 medications for $50 per month.

Are You Required to Participate in Medicare’s New Payment Model? Check the CMS List to Find Out

As previously reported by ACOI, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will launch two new payment models for heart failure and lower back pain on January 1, 2027.

Insurers Make Prior Authorization Data Available to Public

A new federal transparency requirement is making health plan prior authorization data publicly available for the first time—including for many Medicare Advantage (MA), Medicaid managed care, CHIP, and Affordable Care Act Marketplace plans.

New Bill Replaces Merit-Based Incentive Payment System

Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, MD (R-IA) and Herb Conaway, MD (D-NJ) have introduced the Medicare Physician Data-driven Performance Payment System Act of 2026.

CMS Encourages Providers to Prepare for e-Prior Authorization

Starting January 1, 2027, certain health plans regulated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) must implement and maintain Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to support electronic prior authorization.

New Bill Exempts Health Care Professionals from H-1B Fee

Representatives Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), and Sanford Bishop (D-GA) introduced the H1Bs for Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act (H.R. 7961).

ACOI Endorses Senate Community TEAMS Act

ACOI has endorsed the Senate companion of the Community Training, Education, and Access for Medical Students Act (Community TEAMS Act).

House Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Improve Physician Payment Stability

Legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that would make improvements to budget neutrality requirements within the Medicare physician fee schedule (PFS).

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