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Site neutral payments: Are there winners and losers?
The mantra ‘location, location, location’ in property purchases was supposedly emphasized by Lord Harold Samuel, a British real estate tycoon. Location is also important when Medicare pays for some health care services. Depending on whether services are provided in Hospital…
Introducing the vascular surgery MIPS Value Pathway: A new era for meaningful, specialty-driven quality reporting
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently finalized a new Merit-based Incentive Payment (MIPS) System Value Pathway (MVP) specifically for vascular surgery — an important milestone for our specialty and the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS). Developed by…
Phaedro’s dog and Dr. Oz: Reclaiming physician leadership in health care
The novel I, Claudius, is a historical fiction written by Robert Graves in 1934. Daily life amidst Rome’s political decay during the despotic regimes of Augustus, Tiberius and Caligula is richly described. Claudius’ grandmother was the sinister Livia who manipulated…
Vascular surgeons descend on DC: Maiden SVS leadership conference takes advocacy efforts to legislative doorstep
The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) held its inaugural Advocacy and Leadership Conference Sept. 14–16, drawing vascular surgeons, trainees and healthcare advocates from across the country to the nation’s capital for three days of policy education, leadership training and direct…
Terumo Aortic announces ‘significant policy milestone’ with CMS establishing new DRG 209 for complex aortic arch procedures
Terumo Aortic today announced what it describes as a “significant policy milestone” with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) establishing a new Medicare Severity Diagnosis-Related Group (MS-DRG), MS-DRG 209, for complex aortic arch procedures. A company press release…
After the recess: Taking a look ahead to a busy September on Capitol Hill
Congress entered summer recess after passing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which was signed into law by President Donald J. Trump on July 4. This law has various healthcare provisions that will affect Medicare and Medicaid, provider taxes…
Join us: SVS goes to Washington
The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) invites members to register for its inaugural Advocacy and Leadership Conference, taking place Sept. 14–16, in Washington, D.C. The conference will bring together vascular surgeons, trainees, fellows and other key contributors to engage in…
Impact report finds no major change in balance between CAS and CEA following Medicare expansion
An evaluation of trends in the utilization of carotid artery stenting (CAS) versus carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has found there to be “no major change” to tip the balance following the 2023 US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) expansion…
Speaking in code: How a decline in Medicare reimbursement affects vascular care
Concerns were raised yesterday’s Plenary Session 2 over the recent decline in Medicare reimbursement at a national level. Querying current figures, speakers revealed discrepancies which highlight the importance of accurate reporting to ensure sustainable provision for the future of vascular…
Helping OBL vascular surgeons fight the squeeze
SVS Section on Ambulatory Vascular Care (SAVC) set to announce set of new initiatives designed to help office-based lab (OBL) vascular surgeons combat rising costs and stagnant payments during jam-packed session focused on the outpatient setting at the 2025 Vascular…