Campaign for Patient Access
Older adults living with heart disease often depend on a steady pattern of medical care. Routine cardiology visits, medication reviews, diagnostic testing,…
A national public affairs campaign launched by the American College of Cardiology in December 2009 to oppose Medicare physician fee schedule cuts affecting cardiology patients and practices.
About the Campaign
The Campaign for Patient Access was launched by the American College of Cardiology in December 2009 as a national effort to reverse Medicare physician fee schedule cuts that threatened cardiovascular care. The site provided background on the issue, the ACC's legislative and legal response, resources for patients and practices, a newsroom tracking coverage across the country, and ways for supporters to share their stories and support the campaign.
From the Newsroom
April 30, 2010
Medicare Meltdown: Access to Health Care in "Critical Condition"
A press release warning that cardiology access was in critical condition due to Medicare payment cuts.
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December 29, 2009
Cardiology Takes Legal Action Against Medicare
The ACC filed suit against HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius over the 2010 Physician Fee Schedule.
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January 12, 2010
ACC Statement on Health Care Reform
The ACC used the State of the Union address to highlight the need to reverse the Medicare cuts.
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April 12, 2010
Medicare Patients and Physicians Join Petition Drive
Patients and physicians in Washington, DC joined a petition drive calling on Congress for Medicare reform.
Read moreGuides
Cardiology depends on timely evaluation, regular follow-up, medication management, and careful monitoring of changing symptoms. When physician payment…
For patients seeking a first appointment with a cardiologist, a long wait can seem like an administrative inconvenience. In many practices, however, limited…
Heart disease care depends on a coordinated system of physicians, nurses, diagnostic specialists, hospitals, and community services. When Medicare reduces…
Medicare payment policy can seem distant from everyday life, but decisions about physician reimbursement can affect whether patients find a cardiologist,…
Medicare physician payment policy can look like a technical exercise involving conversion factors, relative value units, and budget neutrality. For…
The Medicare Physician Fee Schedule is the system used to determine how much Medicare pays doctors and other qualified clinicians for covered outpatient…
Independent cardiology practices play a vital role in the U.S. healthcare system. They often serve communities where hospital-based specialists are limited,…
Preventive cardiology helps people avoid a first heart attack, stroke, or hospitalization and supports patients living with established cardiovascular disease.…
Medicare payment policy can seem like a direct exchange between the federal government and medical practices, but several institutions shape the outcome. The…
