Why it matters: Family physicians spent a lot of time in 2023 advocating for policies and regulations that would improve patient care. The American Academy of Family Physicians applauds Congress and health care agencies for implementing changes to strengthen access to care and ensure that physicians have the tools and resources they need to continue providing high-quality, longitudinal primary care to patients. 

What we’re working on

A few of the changes in 2024 that made a positive difference for family physicians and their patients include the following.

• The implementation of the G2211 Medicare add-on code that began on Jan. 1, which more appropriately values the complex, continuous services they provide.

• New Medicare codes in 2024 that will better assess patients’ unmet social needs and integrate community-based services to address those needs. This supports the foundation of family medicine: comprehensive, person-centered primary care.
• The requirement for states to provide one-year continuous coverage for children enrolled in Medicaid/CHIP, which began Jan. 1. The AAFP strongly supported this provision and continues to advocate strongly in favor of expanding continuous coverage requirements to other beneficiaries.
  
• Provisions enacted in the Inflation Reduction Act that will make prescription drugs more affordable for Medicare patients. 

• Additional Medicare payment for at-home vaccination for patients with certain conditions and/or limitations that prevent them from being vaccinated at their primary care physician’s office. 

• New guardrails and transparency requirements on Medicare Advantage plans’ use of prior authorization, reducing care delays and inappropriate coverage denials. 

Article content provided by the American Academy of Family Physicians.