The Importance of Advocacy to Nephrology

The Renal Physicians Association (RPA) is the leading advocacy organization for the nephrology community. We have this as one of the highest priorities in order to ensure the nephrologist’s ability to provide the best medical services to kidney patients. One of the most effective tools we have is public policy advocacy. This means RPA works to influence and, where appropriate, change laws, regulations, and public programs to accomplish our mission: to promote optimal care utilizing the highest standards of medical practice for patients with renal and related diseases; to promote and protect the professional status of the discipline of nephrology and to serve as a resource for the development of national health policy affecting renal physicians and their patients. 

RPA’s work in public policy elevates our concerns about our ability to provide care to chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients out of the medical practice and into the halls of Congress, state capitals, and even the White House and federal agencies. 

RPA seeks to educate, advise, and inform policy makers on issues regarding nephrology care and delivery as laws and policies affecting nephrologists and their patients are developed or refined in Congress. Further, we seek to develop the documents, tools, and resources necessary for all RPA members to participate in advocacy on their own behalf as well.

2022 Advocacy Successes

• Successfully Advocated for Full Implementation of the Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage, Effective January 1, 2023
• Successfully Advocated for Positive ASC Payment Changes
• 2.8% Payment Increase for 2023
• Adoption of Complexity Adjustment for Dialysis Vascular Access Procedures
• Transition of pAVF Codes to CPT Status
• Successfully Sought Continuance of Delayed Implementation of MFS Split/Shared Services Rule
• Participated In Successful Organized Medicine Legislative Effort to Mitigate Deep Cuts in Medicare Physician Payment Due to Conversion Factor Reduction and Scheduled Sequester-Based Decreases

2021 Advocacy Successes

• Achieved Relief from CMMI Delay of KCC Model Implementation
  • Access to MIPS Exception
  • Use of 2021 1Q ESCO Participation for Yearly 5% MACRA Bonus
• Successfully Advocated for Positive ASC Payment Changes
  • 2% Payment Increase for 2022
  • Reversal of Proposal to Eliminate Inpatient Only Code List
  • Basing Device-Intensive Status on ASC Rates
• Successfully Sought Delayed Implementation of MFS Split/Shared Services Rule

2019 Advocacy Victories

RPA Past President, Jeff Perlmutter, MD Journey to RPA

Obama Throws SGR Thank-you Event

View our video on Advocacy for Excellence in Nephrology Practice

View our video on CMS Removes Medical Director Safe Harbor: RPA's Role


Nephrology 101