The Merger: AVF + AVFF = AVF
Dear AVF Members, On November 15, 2021, the Board of Directors of the AVF and the Board of Directors of the AVFF voted unanimously to approve a merger of the AVF and AVFF. We have included links to the Plan of Merger and a copy of the article that will appear in the...
CMS Proposed Physician Fee Schedule (PFS): The Rest of the Story
Dear AVF Members. We recently informed you of serious concerns about the impact that the proposed CMS PFS will have on your practices if it goes into effect without modification Jan 1, 2022. This could result in a MORE THAN 20% reduction in CMS payments to...
You Care About Patients. AVF Cares About Patients. Who Cares About You? AVF and SVS Lobby Congress For You and Patients
On July 21, 2021 Dan Monahan, MD and Mark Iafrati, MD (AVF Health Policy Committee leadership) together with 44 other SVS members representing 23 states, lobbied 93 congressional members or staffers in a virtual event. Faced with challenges to the provision of...
2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule
Dear AVF Members,This week the Centers for Medicare Services (CMS) circulated their annual proposed rule which lays out their vision for physician reimbursement for 2022. This is a complex document which will be examined by most professional societies in the...
AMA COVID-19 Vaccine Messaging Guide
In late December, the American Medical Association released our COVID-19 Vaccine Messaging Guide to the Federation and other key stakeholders. We recently made a few updates and adjustments to this guide, including publishing this resource on our website and...
Advocacy to Extend Current Moratorium on Medicare Sequester
The American Venous Forum (AVF) has joined other organizations to support the AMA's letter to congressional leadership advocating that Congress pass legislation to extend the current moratorium on the two percent Medicare payment sequester beyond the March 31...
SVS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Taskforce Shares Report and SVS Executive Board Responds
In September of 2019, the Society for Vascular Surgery charged the members of its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Taskforce with envisioning a more diverse and inclusive SVS and vascular surgery workforce. In December of 2020, their report (first link below) as...
NEW EXCITING RCT Data for Decreasing Morbidity and Mortality for COVID-19 with Therapeutic Anticoagulation
Interim data from NHLBI examining 3 international trials suggesting decreased morbidity and mortality for COVID-19 patients with therapeutic anticoagulation for patients not in the ICU. Please share this important summary. IT CAN SAVE LIVES. VIEW ARTICLE
Updated LCDs from First Coast and Novitas
Dear AVF Members,We are delighted to share with you updated LCDs for the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) First Coast and Novitas. These LCDs which are scheduled to take effect on 12/27/20, are felt to be very reasonable and appropriate concerning the care...
AVF Advocacy in Action
The AVF Health Policy Committee, in collaboration with the SVS and AVLS have been busy advocating for our patients and our members. This week, we submitted comment letters to CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) to address several significant regulatory...
