[From AMA Advocacy Update 06/05/20]

In response to a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) request for information, the AMA made a number of recommendations to reduce and prevent rising rates of maternal mortality and morbidity and to ensure access to high-quality care for patients in rural communities. Specifically, CMS should apply the increase to standalone office visit codes to office visits included in the surgical and maternal global codes, improve access to treatment in rural areas for pregnant and postpartum women with opioid use disorder, and maintain expanded telehealth access.

While the letter highlighted promising models for addressing workforce shortages in rural and underserved areas, the AMA stressed the need for adequate payments for physician practices that care for patients in rural communities. In addition, the AMA recommended steps to ensure consistent data collection and effective evaluation to improve maternal and infant health outcomes and quality, as well as to address social determinants of health including housing, transportation and food insecurity.