Explore the AAOS Advocacy Action Center 

Prior Authorization Reform  

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a landmark final rule reforming prior authorization requirements. This victory streamlines administrative processes by implementing shorter decision timeframes and expanded electronic procedures for Medicare Advantage plans, reducing paperwork burden and allowing more time for patient care.   

Rural Healthcare Access  

Significant progress was made in expanding access to orthopaedic care in rural communities through the introduction of legislation modernizing Physician-Owned Hospital (POH) policies. This initiative aims to enhance access to timely, high-quality orthopaedic care in underserved areas, reducing travel burdens for rural patients.  

Medicare Payment Reform  

We built substantial momentum in Medicare payment reform through multiple legislative initiatives and congressional support. Our coalition work successfully positioned orthopaedic priorities at the forefront of MACRA modernization discussions, focusing on fair surgical reimbursement and regulatory burden reduction.   

Physical Therapy Supervision Flexibility  

For CY 2025, CMS finalized regulatory changes allowing general supervision of physical therapist assistants (PTAs) and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) in private practice settings, enhancing therapy service delivery while maintaining quality standards.