American Medical Association Advances Pain Treatment Review Amidst Lawmaker Demands for Transparency
The American Medical Association (AMA) is proceeding with a review of medical billing codes for non-opioid pain treatments, a process that could significantly alter how physicians are compensated for these services. This development comes as lawmakers, including Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R., Tenn.) and Senate HELP Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy (R., La.), are pressing the AMA for greater transparency regarding the review process. The AMA established a work group last year to examine these codes and determine necessary changes. While the AMA initially declined to identify the work group members, their names are now publicly available in an AMA work plan. However, the AMA has not responded to inquiries about its conflict of interest policy for work group members or whether any members receive compensation from companies affected by the group's recommendations. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R., Ky.) has also questioned the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) about the federal gover...
