CAA submits comments on the meaningful use Stage Two
proposed rule
May 7, 2011
The is moving forward with higher standards for your office to get up to $44,000 per physician over a five year period in incentive funds. If you don’t, Medicare will begin to apply penalties to your payments in 2015.In Stage 2, the requirements would ramp up the level of functions used by the physician. Read CAA's comments.

CAA submits comments on the proposed overpayment rule
April 16, 2011
CMS in a proposed rule states that Medicare providers must return overpayment within 60 days to avoid fines and penalties. One of the biggest concerns that CAA members have raised about the rule is that the proposed look-back period for overpayments is 10 years. CAA recognizes that this is an unreasonable expectation as medical documentation is generally not kept for 10 years and strongly suggested a shorter period in formal comments.

CAA submits comments on the CMS prepayment review program
April 9, 2011
As CAA requested, CMS reopened the public comment period for the prepayment review program of Medicare claims. CAA submitted comments back on Dec. 15, 2011 related to the emergency document review published on Dec. 7 after a press release announcement of the program on Nov. 15. The proposal is related to an 11 state expansion of current Medicare contractor medical utilization review of medical claims. In their review of alleged aberrant or unusual claims, the contractors request and review clinical documentation of the medical services provided to ensure that the documentation reflects what was billed following Medicare national and local coverage guidelines and other industry coding and documentation standards. Read CAA's Dec. 15 comments. Read CAA's April 9 comments.

CAA submits comments on the proposed TAVR policy
March 2, 2011
CMS published its proposed coverage policy for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) on Feb. 2. CAA submitted comments on the policy, seeking clarification on a number of terms regarding the demonstration of physician qualification and experience. Read CAA's comments.

CAA submits comments on the Sunshine Act
Feb. 17, 2011
Congress passed new transparency provisions for physicians. The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on Dec. 19, 2011. Read the CMS press release. Read CAA's comments.

CAA submits comments on the final physician fee schedule
Jan. 3, 2012
The Cardiology Advocacy Alliance submitted comments to CMS on the final 2012 Medicare physcian fee schedule. Read CAA's comments.

CAA submits formal statement to the National Committee on Vital Health Statistics
Nov. 18, 2011
National Committee on Vital Health Statistics (NCVHS) Subcommittee on Standards met Nov. 18 and addressed a number of items of concern to CAA members, including the forthcoming standards on Claims Attachments, standardized provider enrollment forms, claims edits and plan payment rules, among other items. Read CAA's statement.

CAA has a new Executive Director
Oct. 19, 2011
Jennifer Searfoss joined the Cardiology Advocacy Alliance on Oct. 11 as the new Executive Director. Read the press release.

For more/other information, please contact CAA Executive Director Jennifer Searfoss at jen@cardiologycaa.com.  

2012 CAA Membership Invoices Sent

Individual invocies for 2012 membership were sent out via email in late December. Membership is $150 per full time equivalent physician (Cardiologists). Use this blank invoice to submit your dues today!

Your membership includes:
• FREE Medicare physician fee schedule impact tool
• FREE webinar for the proposed Medicare physician fee schedule
• FREE webinar for the final Medicare physician fee schedule
• FREE attendance to the CAA Fly-In in Washington, DC

These valuable membership benefits are in addition the support and updates about advocacy efforts in Washington, DC to improve federal legislative and regulatory proposals affecting cardiology practices.

CAA strongly prefers payment by check for membership. However, we do offer online payment options. Please use the below system for credit card payment.

2012 Dues Payment Options

Annually : $150.00USD - yearly Monthly : $12.50USD - monthly

NOTICE: Contributions or gifts to the Cardiology Advocacy Alliance (CAA) are not tax deductible as charitable contributions. Due to lobbying activities, 100 percent of your 2012 dues contribution will not be deductible. CAA, as a Section 501(c)(6) tax-exempt organization, is required to give our members notice of non-deductibility of their dues to the extent they are used for lobbying purposes. Nondeductible lobbying and political expenditures are described in Internal Code Section 162(e), and include expenditures paid or incurred in connection with (i) influencing legislation; (ii) participating or intervening in any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office; (iii) attempting to influence the general public with respect to elections, legislative matters, or referendums; and any direct communication with a covered executive branch official in an attempt to influence the person’s official actions or positions. CAA cannot provide tax advice to its members; always consult your tax advisor.

For more/other information, please contact CAA Executive Director Jennifer Searfoss at jen@cardiologycaa.com or 202-505-2221.