ASIPP

Planning your CME activities for August?

ASIPP will offer three hands-on workshops in Memphis, including Ultrasound for Regenerative Medicine, Regenerative Medicine, and Interventional Techniques in IPM.

Combine Friday and Saturday workshop participation to earn up to 16 CMEs.

Learn more: https://conta.cc/4ftoyPc

Skill Development. Hands-On Education. CME Opportunities.

🔹 Ultrasound for Regenerative Medicine Hands-On Workshop

🔹 Regenerative Medicine Hands-On Cadaver Workshop

🔹 Interventional Techniques in IPM Hands-On Cadaver Workshop

Space is limited, register today: https://conta.cc/4ftoyPc

The American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP) has sent formal letters to CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz; Representative, Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee; Representative James Comer, Chairman of the House Oversight Committee; and Senator Bill Cassidy, Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee.

The letters raise concerns regarding several Medicare policies that may affect independent physician practices and patient access to care, including proposed reductions to practice expense reimbursement, implementation of the Ambulatory Specialty Model (ASM), and physician payment reductions associated with assumptions regarding artificial intelligence-driven efficiencies.

In order to resolve the multitude of issues and protect independent practices into the future, ASIPP is requesting that the following changes are made in the upcoming proposed rule:

1. Modification of Practice Expenses of 6 to 11% Cuts for Independent Physicians by Adding a Modifier to Identify Independent Physicians.

2. Ambulatory Specialty Model (ASM) – Which is an Unproven Concept Leading to Major Access Issues and Cuts to be Removed as it also Conflicts with ACCESS (Advancing Chronic Care with Effective, Scalable Solutions) Model and WISeR (Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction) Model, and Elimination of Inconsistent ASM Specialty Model Program.

3. Reversal of Efficiency Cuts of 2.5% as There is No Efficiency as Studies Show that AI May Help if at All, 20 Seconds Per Note.

In addition, ASIPP sent letters to all relevant committee members in both the House and Senate, including members of the Senate Finance Committee and the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, as well as members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee.

ASIPP remains committed to advocating for policies that preserve independent medical practices, protect patient access to care, and promote a sustainable physician payment system.

Copies of the letters are available below:

• Letter to CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz (https://asipp.org/sent-letter-to-dr-oz-re-request-to-change-medicare-policies-detrimental-to-independent-practices-5-27-26/)

• Letter to Representative Brett Guthrie (https://asipp.org/sent-letter-to-u-s-representative-brett-guthrie-re-request-to-change-medicare-policies-detrimental-to-indpendent-practices/)

• Letter to Representative James Comer (https://asipp.org/sent-letter-to-u-s-repersentative-james-comer-re-request-to-change-medicare-policies-detrimental-to-independent-practices-5-29-26/)

• Letter to Senator Bill Cassidy (https://asipp.org/sent-letter-to-senator-bill-cassidy-re-follow-up-to-medicare-physician-fee-schedule-5-29-26/)

Looking to advance your skills this summer?

Join ASIPP this August in Memphis for hands-on workshops designed to help refine your techniques.

Learn more: https://conta.cc/4ftoyPc

On May 28, 2026, the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP) Board of Directors submitted a formal letter to UnitedHealthcare leadership regarding recently implemented referral requirements affecting Medicare Advantage HMO and HMO-POS plans.

The letter, addressed to UnitedHealthcare Chief Executive Officer Stephen J. Hemsley and Chief Medical Officer Anne Docimo, MD, expresses significant concerns regarding revisions to the referral process that took effect on April 30, 2026.

The letter states that the updated requirements have created substantial administrative burdens for referring physicians and may result in delays, reduced referrals, interruptions in continuity of care, and barriers to medically necessary interventional pain management treatment for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries.

ASIPP requested that UnitedHealthcare reconsider the revised policy and either return to the previous one-time referral process or implement a simplified annual renewal process comparable to prior referral standards.

The letter notes that the current revised process requires referring physicians to enter separate referrals for each individual practitioner within an interventional pain management group practice, rather than allowing a single referral for the practice itself. ASIPP stated that this approach creates unnecessary administrative burdens and may delay timely patient access to care.

The Board of Directors further emphasized that Medicare Advantage plans are required to follow established Medicare coverage policies, including applicable Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) and national Medicare coverage standards.

Referenced Medicare Local Coverage Determinations include:

• LCD – Facet Joint Interventions for Pain Management (L38773):
https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/lcd.aspx?lcdid=38773&ver=30&ContrId=228&ContrVer=2&CntrctrSelected=228*2&Cntrctr=228&name=&DocType=2%7C4&bc=AAAAgACAAAAA&=

• LCD – Epidural Steroid Injections for Pain Management (L39015):
https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/lcd.aspx?lcdid=39015&ver=16&bc=0

• LCD – Sacroiliac Joint Injections and Procedures (L39383):
https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/lcd.aspx?lcdid=39383&ver=13&bc=0

The letter also references federal Medicare Advantage coverage requirements under 42 U.S.C. § 1395w-22(a)(1)(A), CMS Medicare Managed Care Manual Chapter 4, Section 10.1, and 42 C.F.R. § 422.101(b).

Read the full letter:
https://asipp.org/sent-letter-to-steven-hemsley-and-anne-domico-requirements-for-medicare-advantage-hmo-hmo-pos-plans-5-26-26/

Earn up to 16 CMEs this August at a Hands-On Workshop in Memphis.

Attend the Friday workshop plus one Saturday workshop for hands-on learning in:

• Ultrasound for Regenerative Medicine
• Regenerative Medicine (Basic, Intermediate, & Advanced)
• Interventional Techniques in IPM (Basic, Intermediate & PNS)

https://conta.cc/4ftoyPc

Register: https://conta.cc/4ftoyPc

This August, ASIPP brings three hands-on educational workshops to Memphis:

• Ultrasound for Regenerative Medicine
• Regenerative Medicine Cadaver Workshop (Basic/Intermediate/Advanced)
• Interventional Techniques in IPM Cadaver Workshop (Basic/Intermediate/PNS)

Attend Friday + Saturday to earn up to 16 CMEs.

Register: https://conta.cc/4ftoyPc

👏 Congratulations to Joshua A. Hirsch, MD! The Keck School of Medicine of USC has appointed Dr. Hirsch chair of the Department of Radiology & will also be nominated as the holder of the Stewart Dale Fordham, MD, Chair in Radiology.
Click to read more: http://bit.ly/4dN8LbQ

ASIPP Workshops are heading to Memphis this August!

• Ultrasound for Regenerative Medicine
• Regenerative Medicine Cadaver Workshop (Basic/Intermediate/Advanced)
• Interventional Techniques in IPM Cadaver Workshop (Basic/Intermediate/PNS)

Register: https://conta.cc/4ftoyPc

Join ASIPP August 28 & 29 in Memphis, Tennessee for three hands-on educational workshops:

• Ultrasound for Regenerative Medicine Hands-On Workshop
• Regenerative Medicine Hands-On Cadaver Workshop (Basic, Intermediate, & Advanced)
• Interventional Techniques in IPM Hands-On Cadaver Workshop (Basic, Intermediate, & PNS)

Each workshop offers 8 CME credits through practical, hands-on instruction.
Optimize your visit to Memphis by attending the Friday workshop plus one Saturday workshop to earn up to 16 CMEs.

Space is limited — early registration is encouraged.

Learn More & Register: https://conta.cc/4ftoyPc