The ACC on April 26 joined a coalition of other health care organizations, including the American Association for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation and the American Heart Association, in urging patient access in response to proposed changes to level of supervision requirements. The groups recommend the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) take action in upcoming CY 2022 rulemaking for physician fee schedule and hospital outpatient services.

The proposed changes by CMS would modify the proposed permanent status of virtual direct supervision from permanent to expiring at the end of the year that the public health emergency (PHE) expires. "[COVID-19] safety protocols have severely limited and continue to limit patient access to pulmonary, cardiac, and intensive cardiac rehabilitation services. The inclusion of direct supervision via virtual presence has improved access for patients during the PHE," the comment letter explains, stressing that rural patients will be disproportionately affected by disparities in access, should virtual supervision options not be made permanent.

Read the full comments here. ACC Advocacy continues to support patient access to care through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Check out ACC's health priorities and principles here.

Clinical Topics: Cardiovascular Care Team, COVID-19 Hub

Keywords: ACC Advocacy, Coronavirus, Coronavirus Infections, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, SARS-CoV-2, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S., Public Health, COVID-19, Medicare, American Heart Association, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Fee Schedules, Telemedicine, Health Services Accessibility

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