HRS and the American Medical Association (AMA)
Since 2010, HRS has defended the interests of electrophysiologists' on payment changes policies through its partnership with the American Medical Association. That partnership relies on our participation in the AMA's House of Delegates.
Join the American Medical Association
Membership in the American Medical Association's House of Delegates (HoD) is key to HRS' participation in AMA advocacy and reimbursement activities. HoD member societies earn an Advisor position at the RUC and CPT, allowing us to have a direct role in the development of new codes and reimbursement for EP services. HRS achieved its membership in the AMA House of Delegates (HoD) in 2010. In addition to the CPT and RUC role, HoD member organizations are included in AMA advocacy briefings, sign-on letters and meetings with CMS staff.
Our participation in the HOD strengthens our relationship with other members of the Cardiovascular Section Council including the American College of Cardiology, the American Society of Echocardiography, and Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions. Recently, we drafted and endorsed AMA resolutions addressing heart health topics including removing barriers to Automatic External Defibrillators. Other recently passed policies have addresses generic drug pricing and maintaining access to ethylene oxide.
Our Advisory Committee positions on the AMA's CPT Editorial Panel and the AMA/Specialty Society Relative Value Scale Update Committee (RUC) give HRS a significant voice in influencing changes that affect heart rhythm care services. The CPT Panel is the only avenue for creating CPT codes. Without an Advisory committee role, HRS cannot ensure that EP services are most effectively represented. The RUC is the only opportunity in valuing physician services that allows for an open process among physician colleagues from other specialties.
Since our last review, the Society
- Supported new codes for wireless cardiac stimulator procedures
- Worked with relevant stakeholders to draft and present the application for the new Category I codes for leadless pacemaker services
- Reviewed applications for remote physiologic monitoring and mobile external ECG monitoring
- Developed new codes for subcutaneous cardiac rhythm monitoring which also allows for implanting/removing the devices in the non-facility setting
- Protected the subcutaneous ICD codes from being re-valued
- Coordinated with relevant partners to develop and present recommended work valuation changes for all device programming and interrogation codes.
For more information about the House of Delegates, visit www.ama-assn.org/house-delegates.