Last week, Congress passed a large budget package that was signed by the President. The AMA has provided an update on the eight major provisions impacting physicians from telehealth to burnout and prescription-drug pricing. Specifically, the budget deal—which helped to avoid a protracted federal government shutdown as seen in the fall—includes these big wins for patients and physicians:

• Medicare telehealth coverage renewed for two years.
  
  
• 1% bonus restored for physicians participating in Medicare alternative payment models (APMs).
  
  
• Access to the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program expanded.
  
  
• Medicare Advantage plans required to maintain accurate, regularly updated provider directories and publicly report directory accuracy.
  
  
• Acute Hospital Care at Home waiver extended for five years.
  
  
• The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act extended for five years.
  
  
• Targeted pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reformsintroduced to enhance transparency, curb abusive Medicare drug rebate practices, and strengthen enforcement against anticompetitive behavior.
  
  
• More funding to address preterm births and maternal health. 

Read the Full AMA Update >