VAM shifted to August amid COVID pandemic, vaccination rollout

By Beth Bales

To enhance the chances of being able to hold the 2021 Vascular Annual Meeting (VAM) in-person, the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) has moved the conference, lock, stock and barrel to mid-August.

This pre-eminent event for vascular education now will take place Aug. 18–21 in San Diego, with educational programming on all four days and the Exhibit Hall open Aug. 19–20. Registration is expected to open in early May.

CMS confirms Physician Fee Schedule cuts; SVS members asked to contact lawmakers

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) has delivered a blow to vascular surgery in the form of a 7% cut in total payment for the services it provides. The cuts are included in the agency’s final rule for Medicare payments under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS), and were slated to take effect Jan.1, 2021.