Senators Warren, Paul, Grassley, Shaheen, Brown, and Sinema Introduce Medicare Audiologist Access and Services Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On May 19, 2021, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) introduced the Medicare Audiologist Access and Services Act (MAASA) of 2021, along with Senators Rand Paul (R-KY), Charles Grassley (R-IA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ). Representatives Tom Rice (R-SC) and Matt Cartwright (D-PA) introduced identical legislation (H.R. 1587) in the…
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American Academy of Audiology Names Patrick Gallagher, MBA, as New Executive Director
RESTON, VIRGNIA — The American Academy of Audiology (AAA) has announced the appointment of Patrick Gallagher, MBA, as its new executive director effective March 15, 2021. Gallagher holds an master’s in business administration from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University, and a bachelor of science degree in economics and finance from DePaul University. He…
Read MoreAmerican Academy of Audiology Announces Resignation of Executive Director
RESTON, VIRGINIA — Tanya Tolpegin, MBA, CAE, executive director of the American Academy of Audiology (AAA), will be leaving her position after six years of serving the organization. Ms. Tolpegin reported that “After six years of leading the Academy, I will step down as the executive director in early 2021. This is a planned transition…
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National Audiology Associations Issue Request to CMS for Removal of the Medicare Physician Order Requirement
The Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA), the American Academy of Audiology (AAA), and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) sent a joint letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) requesting the removal of the Medicare physician order requirement. The physician order requirement “exceeds state scope of practice laws, impedes beneficiary access to care,…
Read MoreAAA Offers Considerations for Patients and Professionals Regarding COVID-19 Treatments Using Quinine Derivatives and Other Ototoxic Compounds
RESTON, VIRGINIA — In recognition of May Is Better Hearing Month, the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) has offered considerations for audiologists and their patients regarding COVID 19 treatments with potentially ototoxic compounds. Hydroxychloroquine, for example, was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency use to treat adults and adolescents with…
Read MoreAmerican Academy of Audiology Offers Professional Telehealth Update and Guidance
RESTON, VIRGINIA — As COVID-19 continues to impact individuals across the United States, the Department of Health and Human Services, state and local agencies, and commercial insurance programs are creating new and revised regulations/guidance regarding telehealth payment policies. Audiologists are beginning to employ creative solutions to assist their patients while mitigating the risk of further…
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AAA and ADA Urge CMS to Lift Medicare Physician Order Requirement and Allow Audiologists to Provide Services via Telehealth
The American Academy of Audiology (AAA) and the Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA) have both submitted letters to CMS this week, urging them to “exercise their regulatory authority to waive the physician order requirement currently required before a Medicare beneficiary may access the services of an audiologist”. In addition, both organizations have requested that…
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AAA 2020 Conference Officially Cancelled
RESTON, VIRGINIA — The American Academy of Audiology (AAA) announced late this evening that it has decided, “in an abundance of caution” to officially cancel the planned AAA 2020 conference, which had been set to take place in New Orleans, Louisiana from April 1-4. The conference is the latest in a string of high profile…
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AAA’s “Best of Audiology” Lacks Some of the Fireworks of Past Meetings and Quietly Moves into the Future
Any grizzled audiologist wandering the expo floor at the recently concluded AAA convention, auspiciously known this year as The Best of Audiology, had to be a little stunned by how the once marquee show floor has gradually shrunk in just a few short years. It wasn’t that long ago, after all, when some of…
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In Shift, AAA to Offer Support of Audiology Patient Choice Act
RESTON, VIRGINIA — The Board of Directors of the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) announced yesterday that it has voted to endorse the Audiology Patient Choice Act (APCA) on the condition that it include language to provide audiologists with the ability to opt-out of Medicare. According to the announcement, the AAA board feels that the…
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