The Society for Vascular Surgery, the American Podiatric Medical Association and the Society for Vascular Medicine collaboratively have published their first-ever set of clinical practice guidelines for treating the diabetic foot, based on a meta-analysis of the available literature. The guidelines, “The Management of the Diabetic Foot,” were developed after three years of study and were published online in late January and in print in the February 2016 edition of Journal for Vascular Surgery.

Vascular disease is among the leading causes of death in the United States, yet is generally asymptomatic until a catastrophic event occurs, such as a stroke or aneurysm rupture. Although preventive screening is available, millions of Americans at risk for stroke or death from vascular disorders remain unaware of their risk.

Background

The broken medical liability system remains one of the most difficult issues for physicians. It places a communications barrier between physicians and their patients. It forces physicians to practice defensive medicine. Lawsuits put physicians at emotional, reputational and financial risk and they drain resources out of an already financially strapped national health care system, which could be used for medical research or expanded access to care for patients.The numbers are staggering:

A New Medicare Physician Payment System: Principles for Replacement of the SGR Formula for Surgeons 

1. Early intervention from specialists will create cost-effectiveness by decreasing unnecessary diagnostic testing, allowing preventive measures to thwart disease progression and allowing early intervention to prevent end-stage conditions.

Many aspects of health care in the United States are the best in the world; however, escalating expense, lack of access and variable quality must be addressed. Continuation of the current system or creation of a reformed system that will cost trillions of dollars, likely bankrupting the United States, is not acceptable.

Below are the principles of health care reform that Society for Vascular Surgery® (SVS) supports:

Background

As of January 1, 2011, co-insurance for the abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening benefit in Medicare (G0389) was waived for beneficiaries who qualify for this one-time screening as part of the Welcome to Medicare Physical Exam, which is available during the first twelve months of Medicare eligibility. These beneficiaries include men who have ever smoked and men and women with a family history of AAA.

The Screening Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Very Efficiently (SAAAVE) Act passed the full (US) Senate as a last minute amendment to the Finance Committee’s budget reconciliation package in November 2005, but was not included in the House package because Medicare was not addressed. A conference committee met in December 2005 to compromise the differences. The committee decided to include the SAAAVE Act in its version, which was sent back to both chambers for a vote. The (US) House passed the bill on December 19, 2005 followed by the Senate on December 2, 2005.

Sign up for the Open Payments System under the Physician Payment Sunshine Act

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is encouraging physicians and teaching hospitals to register in CMS Enterprise Portal, requesting access to the Open Payments system.  This registration began on June 1. 

Disease Prevention

Establishes a Prevention and Public Health Fund to provide for expanded investment in prevention and public health programs and a National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health Council to develop a strategy for this within one year after the bill is enacted. Provides for a prevention and health promotion outreach and education campaign. Provides an annual comprehensive health risk assessment beginning in 2011 followed by a visit to a primary care provider for creation of a personalized prevention plan, including covered preventive services.