ACS CALLS FOR EXPANDED TELEMEDICINE POLICIES
ACS Joins Letter to State Governors for Expanded Telemedicine Policies (see attached)
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, state governors issued executive orders expanding state regulated insurance payer and Medicaid plan coverage for the use of telemedicine. In a joint letter to state governors and insurance commissioners, the ACS and several other physician organizations called for the continuation of the expanded coverage for access and payment of telemedicine visits at the same level as in-person visits. Click here to read the letter. A comprehensive list of state policies on telemedicine can be found at https://www.cchpca.org/covid-19-related-state-actions.
State advocacy resources
Participating in advocacy activities can seem a bit confusing, especially if surgeons have never done so. Questions arise as to how to do it, what to say, and where further information may be obtained on numerous state legislative and regulatory issues of interest. To learn about the many facets of grassroots advocacy, and to utilize the plethora of web-based information on state-related issues, check out the following.
Surgeons as Advocates: A SurgeonsVoice Handbook for Advocacy
A Guide to In-District Meetings
Tracking Legislation
State Legislation Tracked by the College
State Grassroots Advocacy on SurgeonsVoice
