Health policy analyst focusing on kidney care delivery issues, competent home cook, DC area sports fan. He/him. #NephSkyhttps://bsky.app/profile/robertblaser.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/robertblaser.bsky.social/post/3mdyo3z7fjs2kFolks, I know a lot of people already know about this but the FY2026 appropriations bill included a health package with key provisions for nephrology. Among these provisions was a two-year extension of current telehealth flexibilities (until December 31, 2027 (1)04 Feb 2026 00:55 +0000at://did:plc:e5wsl6igyeuhtcxmkrouys6m/app.bsky.feed.post/3mdyo3z7fjs2khttps://bsky.app/profile/robertblaser.bsky.social/post/3m73ouokywk27Good morning people. I know many folks have heard about the new CMS/CMMI ACCESS Payment Model (link below) that seeks to leverage digital and technological assets to help manage and delay the onset of chronic disease. (1) https://www.cms.gov/priorities/innovation/innovation-models/access03 Dec 2025 14:41 +0000at://did:plc:e5wsl6igyeuhtcxmkrouys6m/app.bsky.feed.post/3m73ouokywk27https://bsky.app/profile/robertblaser.bsky.social/post/3m5gu5cyg222rI realize folks have probably heard this elsewhere, but it looks like the shutdown will likely end very soon, if not tonight then tomorrow. The good health policy news is that the telehealth flexibilities will be extended until January 30 and made retroactive back to October 1. (1)12 Nov 2025 14:24 +0000at://did:plc:e5wsl6igyeuhtcxmkrouys6m/app.bsky.feed.post/3m5gu5cyg222rhttps://bsky.app/profile/robertblaser.bsky.social/post/3m4jq673apc2vFolks, the final rule for the 2026 Medicare Fee Schedule was released tonight, and it appears to have been finalized almost exactly as it was proposed. (1)01 Nov 2025 00:26 +0000at://did:plc:e5wsl6igyeuhtcxmkrouys6m/app.bsky.feed.post/3m4jq673apc2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/robertblaser.bsky.social/post/3m2sbrb3nn22q@rpanephrology leaders strategizing about RPA’s Capitol Hill Day tomorrow. Over drinks.09 Oct 2025 23:12 +0000at://did:plc:e5wsl6igyeuhtcxmkrouys6m/app.bsky.feed.post/3m2sbrb3nn22qhttps://bsky.app/profile/robertblaser.bsky.social/post/3lzo3qeraws2oFolks, there is a lot of chatter among nephrology practices about whether the telehealth flexibilities and thus the ability to provide services via those means will end on September 30. (1)25 Sep 2025 13:48 +0000at://did:plc:e5wsl6igyeuhtcxmkrouys6m/app.bsky.feed.post/3lzo3qeraws2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/robertblaser.bsky.social/post/3lz4dgivpks2vNEPHROLOGY NURSES, YOU ROCK!!! Happy Nephrology Nurses Week to all of the heroes out there providing great care to persons with kidney disease, can't wait to spend time with our friends at the American Nephrology Nurses Association next week. Thanks for everything y'all do!18 Sep 2025 12:18 +0000at://did:plc:e5wsl6igyeuhtcxmkrouys6m/app.bsky.feed.post/3lz4dgivpks2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/robertblaser.bsky.social/post/3luan4uorhs2kFolks, the proposed rule for the 2026 Medicare Fee Schedule came out on Monday, with two primary headlines. The first is that there are now two conversion factors (CFs--with the conversion factor being the multiplier expressed as a dollar figure through which physician (1)18 Jul 2025 14:16 +0000at://did:plc:e5wsl6igyeuhtcxmkrouys6m/app.bsky.feed.post/3luan4uorhs2khttps://bsky.app/profile/robertblaser.bsky.social/post/3lsygv6of4s26The proposed rule for the 2026 ESRD prospective Payment System came out Monday evening, and it contained few surprises, highlights include: For CY 2026, CMS proposes to increase the PPS base rate to $281.06, which CMS expects would increase total payments to all ESRD facilities by 1.9%. (1)02 Jul 2025 14:38 +0000at://did:plc:e5wsl6igyeuhtcxmkrouys6m/app.bsky.feed.post/3lsygv6of4s26https://bsky.app/profile/robertblaser.bsky.social/post/3lsteseelxs26So folks, the proposed rule for the 2026 Medicare Fee Schedule is still at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), so the usual pre-July 4th holiday release would seem to be in doubt (although it has happened late on July 3rd numerous times).30 Jun 2025 14:17 +0000at://did:plc:e5wsl6igyeuhtcxmkrouys6m/app.bsky.feed.post/3lsteseelxs26https://bsky.app/profile/robertblaser.bsky.social/post/3llztjblsvs26The RPA leadership brain trust, plus me, with Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV) at the RPA PAC Reception as part of our Annual Meeting.05 Apr 2025 02:00 +0000at://did:plc:e5wsl6igyeuhtcxmkrouys6m/app.bsky.feed.post/3llztjblsvs26https://bsky.app/profile/robertblaser.bsky.social/post/3llw7dqiwns2aJust got done introducing the speakers at the RPA Coding and Billing Seminar, one of the critically important activities that RPA performs. #RPA202503 Apr 2025 15:21 +0000at://did:plc:e5wsl6igyeuhtcxmkrouys6m/app.bsky.feed.post/3llw7dqiwns2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/robertblaser.bsky.social/post/3lgmnbkr4pk2sThe RPA Board of Directors doing what it does best, having a great time.26 Jan 2025 04:58 +0000at://did:plc:e5wsl6igyeuhtcxmkrouys6m/app.bsky.feed.post/3lgmnbkr4pk2shttps://bsky.app/profile/robertblaser.bsky.social/post/3lg3vzer3ik2cHail, HTTC, all of it! Sorry for my friends in Detroit (sincerely, no snark) but you don’t know what’s going to happen until you play the game.19 Jan 2025 13:19 +0000at://did:plc:e5wsl6igyeuhtcxmkrouys6m/app.bsky.feed.post/3lg3vzer3ik2c