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Budget neutrality and code valuation basics
So, what is budget neutrality and how does it affect physician payment? The Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) is a resource-based relative value scale (RVS) payment system, where relative value units (RVUs) are based on resource costs associated with physician…
Society for Vascular Surgery addresses latest mainstream media reports on atherectomy
The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) has issued a statement addressing the latest reports published by ProPublica on atherectomy use in the U.S. The nonprofit investigative news outlet published three articles in its latest round of investigations looking into Medicare…
The top 10 most popular Vascular Specialist stories of November 2023
In November, the most read stories from Vascular Specialist include a reassessment of which carotid revascularization treatment modality is best after the recent Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) coverage expansion; updated analyses from the VOYAGER PAD clinical trial;…
Change: A driving force behind SVS advocacy initiatives
Change is a constant in life, and advocacy is no exception. The healthcare landscape is always evolving, and the SVS Advocacy Council is working to maintain a voice in the decision-making process. The council is committed to driving change that…
CMS confirms broadened Medicare coverage of carotid artery stenting in final decision
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released its final decision regarding National Coverage Determination (NCD) 20.7 covering carotid artery stenting (CAS), essentially confirming the coverage expansion outlined in a July proposed decision memo. In a communique to…
From the editor: Sex, lies, and carotid stents
First, a disclaimer. This commentary is woefully short of sex-related content. Not even the wholesome gender-based outcomes stuff. So, if that key term brought your internet search here, feel free to press on with your illicit journeys my friend. Now,…
Why CMS should still not extend reimbursement indications for carotid stenting or other carotid ‘revascularization’ procedures
This commentary—authored by Anne Abbott, PhD, MBBS, Lawrence Schott, MD, Lan Gao, MMed, PhD, Hrvoje Budincevic, MD, PhD, Rishad Faruqi, MD, Tatjana Rundek, MD, PhD, Jean-Baptiste Ricco, MD, PhD, Saeid Shahidi, MD, and Gert J. de Borst, MD, PhD—consists of…
SVS members rally to respond to CMS carotid stenting coverage proposal
Nearly one-third of the public comments submitted to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on a controversial proposed coverage decision affecting carotid stenting were from SVS members. “We could not have been more pleased with our members’ response…
Empowering vascular surgery to promote five pivotal healthcare bills before Congress
Welcome back to Government Grand Rounds, a campaign aimed at expanding vascular surgeons’ understanding of—and comfort with—the SVS’ many advocacy tools. In the dynamic landscape of healthcare, the promotion of positive change and the advancement of our profession require more…
Congress considers incremental steps towards Medicare payment reform
There is no doubt that the Medicare payment system needs reform. At this moment, the SVS is aiming to inspire reform through all facets of effective advocacy. This takes place incrementally by raising Congressional awareness of the issues that physicians…