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AAPM&R seeks an AMA Relative Value Update Committee (RUC) Advisor
The Academy is searching for candidates who are enthusiastic and have a great interest in coding and reimbursement. We are looking for members who would like to represent the Academy at the AMA/Specialty Society Relative Value Update Committee (RUC) process and who are willing to increase the visibility of PM&R as a specialty.
The purpose of the RUC is to make recommendations to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for the physician work and practice expense values to be assigned to new or revised CPT codes. If recommendations made by the RUC are accepted by CMS they will be taken into consideration for the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. The Academy has worked steadily with our RUC reps and our RUC alternates the last few years to increasingly affect PM&R positively in the area of reimbursement and to ultimately have the opportunity to obtain a rotating voting seat at RUC. For this to happen, the Academy's RUC Advisor would have to make a multi-year commitment and continue to set goals to further involve PM&R in RUC operations.
Each specialty society appoints an advisor to serve as a liaison to the RUC. Being the RUC Advisor for the Academy brings with it a significant time commitment. There are 3 meetings annually, 2 of which are held in Chicago and another that is held in another city (varies). Meetings are usually 3 days long and require attendance. The Academy is committed to this process and views it as a significant way to further its mission by advancing the specialty of physical medicine and rehabilitation, promoting excellence in physiatric practice.
Some criteria for Ideal Candidates are:
Experience and knowledge of coding and reimbursement issues
An understanding of physician work and practice expense values as they relate to reimbursement
Willingness to travel – 3 meetings per year, usually held in the months of February, April and September.
Availability to participate in several conference calls throughout the year regarding codes being worked on or revised, depending on Academy involvement.
Basic Responsibilities of the RUC Advisor
The RUC Advisor becomes an active member of the Academy's Medical Practice Committee (MPC) when appointment is confirmed. As any member of the MPC, the RUC Advisor is expected to be an active member of the committee, attend 1 committee fly-in meeting to our National Offices generally in the Spring and also our committee meeting held during the Annual Assembly.
The MPC is an active committee that provides representation and leadership on practice management issues impacting the field of PM&R and develops policies and position statements relating to the practice of PM&R. Committee members communicate primarily via email and members are expected to actively participate on all topics discussed.
Review Level of Interest form distributed by the AMA and determine any interest in codes presented for review
Work with staff and physician experts to develop surveys; answer member's technical questions as they relate to the survey.
Review survey data and suggest appropriate recommended values (with input from other specialty societies)
Prepare for presentations to the RUC with both staff and other specialty societies (conference calls, or during the RUC meetings)
Work closely with other specialty societies to review and select proposals before they are sent to the RUC to determine if the Academy should or shouldn't be involved and at what level.
Participate in additional workgroups as needed.
Members interested in being considered for this appointment should contact Ana Maria Bustos at 847-737-6024 or [email protected]
The Academy is searching for candidates who are enthusiastic and have a great interest in coding and reimbursement. We are looking for members who would like to represent the Academy at the AMA/Specialty Society Relative Value Update Committee (RUC) process and who are willing to increase the visibility of PM&R as a specialty.
The purpose of the RUC is to make recommendations to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for the physician work and practice expense values to be assigned to new or revised CPT codes. If recommendations made by the RUC are accepted by CMS they will be taken into consideration for the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. The Academy has worked steadily with our RUC reps and our RUC alternates the last few years to increasingly affect PM&R positively in the area of reimbursement and to ultimately have the opportunity to obtain a rotating voting seat at RUC. For this to happen, the Academy's RUC Advisor would have to make a multi-year commitment and continue to set goals to further involve PM&R in RUC operations.
Each specialty society appoints an advisor to serve as a liaison to the RUC. Being the RUC Advisor for the Academy brings with it a significant time commitment. There are 3 meetings annually, 2 of which are held in Chicago and another that is held in another city (varies). Meetings are usually 3 days long and require attendance. The Academy is committed to this process and views it as a significant way to further its mission by advancing the specialty of physical medicine and rehabilitation, promoting excellence in physiatric practice.
Some criteria for Ideal Candidates are:
Experience and knowledge of coding and reimbursement issues
An understanding of physician work and practice expense values as they relate to reimbursement
Willingness to travel – 3 meetings per year, usually held in the months of February, April and September.
Availability to participate in several conference calls throughout the year regarding codes being worked on or revised, depending on Academy involvement.
Basic Responsibilities of the RUC Advisor
The RUC Advisor becomes an active member of the Academy's Medical Practice Committee (MPC) when appointment is confirmed. As any member of the MPC, the RUC Advisor is expected to be an active member of the committee, attend 1 committee fly-in meeting to our National Offices generally in the Spring and also our committee meeting held during the Annual Assembly.
The MPC is an active committee that provides representation and leadership on practice management issues impacting the field of PM&R and develops policies and position statements relating to the practice of PM&R. Committee members communicate primarily via email and members are expected to actively participate on all topics discussed.
Review Level of Interest form distributed by the AMA and determine any interest in codes presented for review
Work with staff and physician experts to develop surveys; answer member's technical questions as they relate to the survey.
Review survey data and suggest appropriate recommended values (with input from other specialty societies)
Prepare for presentations to the RUC with both staff and other specialty societies (conference calls, or during the RUC meetings)
Work closely with other specialty societies to review and select proposals before they are sent to the RUC to determine if the Academy should or shouldn't be involved and at what level.
Participate in additional workgroups as needed.
Members interested in being considered for this appointment should contact Ana Maria Bustos at 847-737-6024 or [email protected]
