The American Venous Forum is committed to promoting evidence-based best practices to ensure that patients have access to the highest quality care – especially the underserved.

We believe that vigorous advocacy in venous and lymphatic disease is critical to this commitment.

The AVF is actively advocating on behalf of our members and the patients they serve.  The following are just a few of the comment letters we have submitted as the AVF or as part of a larger coalition:

• AVF Letter to CMS
• Coalition – CY 2022 Payment Policies under the Physician Fee Schedule
• Coalition – CY 2022 Payment Policies under the Physician Payment Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Payment Policies
• AVF and SVS Comment to CMS – Transvenous Pulmonary Embolectomy NCD

AVF efforts to work with insurers to update their venous coverage policies to reflect current nomenclature and to reflect clinical practice guidelines which have been developed by the AVF/SVS continue to gain ground! The latest can be seen in the Anthem Blue Cross CA policy on:

Subject: Treatment of Varicose Veins (Lower Extremities)

Document #: SURG.00037            Publish Date: 12/29/2021

Status: Revised Last Review Date: 11/11/2021

With no particular fanfare they begin their description of medical necessity as including:

• Truncal vein incompetence (that is, reflux with retrograde flow of 0.5 second duration or greater in the GSV, AAGSV, or SSV) based on vein anatomy is confirmed by Doppler or duplex ultrasound evaluation and report; and
• Prior policies had required “junctional incompetence.”

This simple change will save the frequent denials in patients with a competent SFJ but symptomatic reflux down the remainder of the GSV.

Read the complete policy >>

We would like to thank the Medical Directors of Anthem Blue Cross CA for addressing our concern about their prior policy and for their willingness to update this policy which benefits their patients and their providers.

The AVF Health Policy Committee continues to work to identify flawed coverage policies (commercial and governmental) and work toward bringing them in line with best practices.

Sincerely,

Mark Iafrati, MD
Chairman, AVF Health Policy Committee

Please join us as we raise our collective voice for the sake of our patients!

It’s our honor to fight on your behalf.

Antonios Gasparis – President, AVF

Mark Iafrati – Chair, AVF Health Policy Committee

Please support these efforts with a donation to the American Venous Forum.