American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)

Continuing education and programsmanaged the apma online learning center that provides continuing education courses to podiatrists both live and on-demand. Successfully planned and managed the educational program for the apma 2022 annual scientific meeting in orlando, fl. Successfully planned and managed the virtual apma 2022 coding and clinical education seminar. Successfully managed continuing education for the virtual apma 2023 spring coding seminar. Apma received and processed more than 120 new applications for the apma seal of approval/acceptance and more than 100 products were renewed for the seal of approval/acceptance.

Cpmeadopted the standards and procedures used to accredit colleges of Podiatric medicine. Continued the comprehensive review process of the standards and procedures used to approve continuing education providers.continued the comprehensive review process of the standards and procedures used to recognize specialty boards in Podiatric medicine and surgery.adopted the standards and procedures used to approve Podiatric residency and fellowship programs. Conducted 42 residency and fellowship on-site evaluations.

Clinical affairsprovided Podiatric population health resources and education related to "the role of a podiatrist in geriatric falls prevention," "suicide prevention," "knowing burnout, and "pain and peri-operative considerations of cannabis." Supported physician suicide prevention writing competition for students and residents.worked with 12 research groups to finalize project for analysis in pearl diver dataset.supported podiatrists' participation in the 2022 and 2023 mips performance years through the apma mips app.offered one-on-one support to members with questions regarding mips eligibility, the hardship exception, and finding the best mips measures for them.supported apma stewarded mips clinical quality measures #126 and #127.explored opportunities for monetization of the apma registry through request for proposal process. Prepared visualizations related to the evaluation and management code changes from apma registry data.represented apma at Association of diabetes care and education specialists meeting.built/maintained relationship with society for interventional radiology, society of vascular surgery, and the alliance of gout awareness.participated heavily, along with several apma volunteer leaders, with American heart Association's peripheral artery disease national action plan collaborative.supported the work of the committee on physician parity education workgroup. Published "concerning rates of laboratory-confirmed antifungal-resistant onychomycosis and tinea pedis: an online survey of podiatrists, united states" in health science reports.awarded over 50 apha student membership scholarships to current Podiatric Medical students for the 2022 year.

Legislative advocacylobbied congress to recognize doctors of Podiatric medicine as physicians in medicaid statute, and to clarify paperwork requirements under the medicare therapeutic shoe program. Lobbied congress for coverage of peripheral artery disease screening tests without cost-sharing under medicare, medicaid, and private health insurance for certain at-risk individuals, and for the development of certain educational programs and medicare quality measures to reduce amputations relating to such disease. Lobbied congress in support of legislation to authorize the government to negotiate with drug makers to lower prescription drug prices in the medicare and medicaid programs, to improve transparency related to pharmaceutical prices and transactions, to lower patients' out-of-pocket costs, and to ensure accountability to taxpayers. Lobbied congress to modify erisa plans to require coverage for preventive care for individuals with chronic conditions without requiring cost-sharing by the patient.lobbied congress to clarify requirements for suppliers and distinguish between orthotists/prosthetists and other dme suppliers. Lobbied congress to improve workforce conditions at the veterans health administration by expanding eligibility for reimbursement of costs incurred for continuing Medical education and licensure exam expenses. Lobbied congress to address funding deficiencies under the medicare physician fee schedule. Lobbied congress to prohibit private insurance plans and carriers from using the name "medicare" in plan titles and advertising. Lobbied congress to reauthorize funding for the special diabetes program. Lobbied congress to expand access to diabetes self-management training. Lobbied congress to address Medical student debt by authorizing a program for Medical and dental residents to defer insteres on their federal student loans while still in residency. Lobbied congress to address inefficients with prior authorization by requiring that board-certified physicians in the relevant specialty are the ones making these important decisions, and also direct medicare, medicare advantage, and medicare part d plans to comply with requirements that restrictions must be based on Medical necessity and written clinical criteria, as well as additional transparency obligations.lobbied congress to address the lack of inclusion of accredited Podiatric Medical education entities in legislation regarding opioid training requirements for holders of drug enforcement agency licenses.

Health policy and practicecontinued participation in ruc and cpt.met with and submitted regular comments to cms and other federal and private entities and forcefully advocated for coding, reimbursement, and coverage policies more favorable to the Podiatric profession.educated members on medicare and private payer payment issues and advocated for equitable treatment of doctors of Podiatric medicine in federal and private health care delivery and payment systems.communicated with private insurance entities in advocating for the Podiatric profession.conducted coding seminars and additional webinars for apma members, including programs targeted to coding and quality payment, as well as other needs.facilitated the annual national cac-piac meeting for disseminating best practices to cac and piac representatives.developed coalitions and relationships with similar clinical associations to advocate for common issues.developed or contracted with consultants for development of educational and compliance materials for members.published articles in various apma publications relevant to state regulatory, legal, and legislative issues.

Communications and marketingpublished six issues of the award-winning apma news magazine and six issues of the award-winning journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association. Redesigned apma news with a more modern, streamlined look.published weekly issues of the apma weekly focus, a digital newsletter, as well as apma news brief. Conducted multiple public education campaigns, touting the education, training, and experience of today's podiatrist and breaking previous records for media exposure and website traffic.continued to expand apma's presence on social media, reaching millions of health-care consumers, as well as thousands of podiatrists and other members of the profession. Launched apma engage app, a rebranded, year-round version of the popular apma meetings app. Exceeded advertising revenue targets for 2022-23 by more than 31 percent thanks to a diversified portfolio of advertising options.continued to support an expanding portfolio of educational offerings with marketing and promotions, including a hybrid annual scientific meeting.continued an outstanding career awareness campaign designed to introduce high school students to Podiatric medicine and surgery as a career. The campaign, to date, has engaged millions of prospective students.

Young physicians' programsupported the work of the young physician leadership panel (yplp), a group comprised of members that guide staff in coordinating young physician programming and developing resources.coordinated and released six issues of your apma, the young physician publication.reimagined the organization's young physician programming and created the apma emerging leaders program (elp). The apma elp is a leadership intensive program designed to support young physicians with a vested interest in future leadership opportunities. Participants will attend apma events, cultivate leadership skills, and work closely with the young physician leadership panel (yplp) to guide future young physician engagement.released multiple episodes "adventures in externing," a podcast.supported the work of the apma college visit task force, including its transition to the apma student engagement committee.hosted in-person career center at the apma annual scientific meeting for young physicians to gain access to early career resources, take complimentary professional headshots, share resumes, and network with others in the profession.

Center for professional advocacysuccessfully planned and held the 2022 virtual state advocacy forum, hosting over 70 representatives from 30 states, fostering collaboration and strategic planning among state leadership with their peers in other states.provided direct assistance to numerous states on advocacy issues and topics, like scope of practice, legislator and stakeholder outreach and education, public health concerns, medicaid, and private insurance, in the form of guidance, research and monetary grants, assisted members in numerous states on the issue of equitable reimbursement, hospital privileging and credentialing, promoting the underlying education, training, and qualifications of Podiatric physicians.updated previously drafted issues briefs, facts sheets and other materials to educate stakeholders on the important public policy issues relevant to the practice of Podiatric medicine.