Advocating for ‘fair and equitable coverage’ of vascular services

Jan 03, 2021 Re-posted from the January 2021 issue of Vascular Specialist

By Beth Bales

Among the many projects of the SVS Coding and Reimbursement Committee, advocating appropriate coverage for vascular services continues to be a major focus. In 2021, the committee, led by chair Sunita Srivastava, MD, will continue to increase its coverage initiatives, working with government and private payers.

government and private payers. The committee will advocate for fair and equitable coverage of vascular services in a variety of sites of service by review of policies and commitment to upholding the SVS practice guidelines.

Srivastava says: “Through collaborative work with several multidisciplinary professional societies, we aim to provide timely review and response to new coverage determinations, alternate G code proposals and work valuation issues.

“The committee will work closely with vascular specialists to ensure appropriate coding, reimbursement and coverage policies for our members and patients.”

Tags
Vascular Specialist

Related Articles

Education and Representation at the Core of Inclusivity Efforts for DEI Committe

This article was published in the October issue of Vascular Specialist.

The Society for Vascular Surgery’s (SVS) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee continues to make strides in advancing inclusivity within the organization, with several projects underway to address both ongoing challenges and new opportunities.

Why donate to the SVS PAC?

A few years ago, in his presidential address to the Midwestern Vascular Surgical Society, Mark Mattos, MD, spoke eloquently about the need to “protect our specialty.” A large part of this, he argued, is protecting our patients; no other specialty in medicine can provide the type of comprehensive vascular care that we offer. The daily reality we all face is the potential for declining Medicare reimbursement for our services.

Progress made during year like no other

While the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects dominated 2020–21 fiscal year—including the cancellation of the live 2020 Vascular Annual Meeting (VAM)—it did not deter progress on many important initiatives. “When covid hit, it intensified our focus on what was truly important: our members, their patients and the SVS as their Society,” said Executive Director Kenneth M. Slaw, PhD. “That focus was sustained the past 15 months and it has led to innovation and an unprecedented volume of member value programs.” He outlined important highlights from the fiscal year that ended March 31—just more than a year after the pandemic was declared—and the vital initiatives that continue to move forward.