Health Policy and Payment Update

• AUGS issued formal responses to two major Medicare proposed payment regulations, advocating for policies that promote appropriate reimbursement for services, enhance access to high-quality urogynecologic care, and recognize the important contributions of specialty providers serving women with pelvic floor disorders.
• AUGS responded to an NIH request for information, calling on NIH to strengthen federal support for early-career clinical trial investigators and mentors to help sustain the future research workforce and advance women's health innovation.
• Congress passed a continuing resolution that not only funds the federal government but also delays OMB's proposed overhaul of federal grant regulations, blocking its planned October 1 implementation date until at least December 11.
• The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health held a hearing to examine several proposals to reform Medicare physician payment policies, signaling continued interest in addressing reimbursement challenges that affect physician practices and patient access to care.

What this means for you: AUGS recently submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on both the CY 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) proposed rules. Through these comments, AUGS continues to advocate for payment policies that support high-quality urogynecologic care, preserve access to medically necessary treatments, and recognize the value of specialty care for women with pelvic floor disorders.

In our comments on the PFS proposed rule, AUGS expressed concern about continued reductions to physician payments and urged CMS to work with Congress on long-term reforms to create a more stable and sustainable Medicare payment system. AUGS also strongly opposed CMS's proposal to reduce reimbursement for same-day evaluation and management (E/M) services billed with global procedures using modifier -25, noting that the policy would underpay physicians for medically necessary clinical decision-making and could disproportionately affect urogynecology practices in rural areas. AUGS further supported CMS's proposal to create a new supply code for urethral bulking agents, helping ensure appropriate reimbursement and continued patient access to this important treatment in the office setting.

In comments on the OPPS proposed rule, AUGS urged CMS not to finalize proposed ambulatory surgical center (ASC) payment reductions for sacral neuromodulation (SNM) procedures. AUGS explained that these device-intensive procedures are an important treatment option for patients with refractory urinary and pelvic floor disorders and warned that the proposed payment cuts could discourage ASC participation, reduce patient access, and shift care to higher-cost hospital settings.

CMS is expected to release the final PFS and OPPS rules around November 1, 2026. AUGS will update members on the final policies and highlight any areas where our recommendations were adopted.

What this means for you: AUGS recently submitted comments to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in response to its request for information on future approaches to clinical trial training and career development. AUGS continues to advocate on behalf of our members and the larger research community that federal grants for research, public health, and workforce programs are essential to advancing the United States' leadership in clinical research, lifesaving treatments, and innovative therapies.

In our letter, AUGS emphasized the critical importance of maintaining robust federal support for early-career clinician-scientists and the mentors who train them. AUGS warned that reducing opportunities for K award recipients to gain hands-on clinical trial experience could further shrink an already limited pipeline of clinical trial investigators and concentrate research opportunities at only the largest academic medical centers.

AUGS urged NIH to develop dedicated funding mechanisms that support both junior investigators and their mentors, including pathways that allow trainees to participate meaningfully in clinical trials while receiving structured career development and mentorship. The Society also highlighted the importance of sustaining multicenter research networks, such as the NICHD Pelvic Floor Disorders Network and the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units (MFMU) Network, which play a vital role in training future clinical trial leaders.

What this means for you: On September 2, 2026, President Trump signed a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the federal government through December 11, 2026. In addition to avoiding a potential government shutdown, the legislation temporarily prohibits the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) from finalizing or implementing its proposed overhaul of the Uniform Guidance, the government-wide framework governing federal grants and cooperative agreements. Importantly, the CR blocks OMB's planned October 1, 2026, implementation date, ensuring that the proposed changes cannot take effect as originally scheduled.  

AUGS has strongly opposed OMB's proposed rule, which would significantly alter how federal grants are administered, including changes related to grant approval and oversight by political officials, award terminations, subrecipient monitoring, and compliance requirements. While the delay provides temporary relief from the proposed changes, it is important to recognize that the OMB rule has not been withdrawn and could move forward after December 11, 2026.

In related news, NIH leaders, including Director Bhattacharya, testified at a hearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee. Democrats pressed the NIH leaders on terminated research contracts and the potential loss of critical research capacity. Democrats and Senate Appropriations Chair Collins (R-ME) raised concerns about capping indirect costs, while other Republicans highlighted specific NIH-supported research initiatives such as rural clinical trials.

What this means for you: The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health held a legislative hearing on September 15, 2026, titled "Examining Legislative Proposals to Reform Medicare Provider Payment and Bolster Health Care Cybersecurity." The hearing focused on a number of bills aimed at addressing long-standing challenges with Medicare physician reimbursement, including proposals to improve payment stability, enhance access to care, and modernize physician payment policies. The hearing is particularly notable because it reflects continued congressional interest in physician payment reform at a time when Medicare reimbursement rates face ongoing pressure. While the hearing highlighted ongoing congressional interest in these issues, it is unclear whether any of the related bills will see additional movement this year.

Enjoying the newsletter? Please send us feedback at [email protected].

American Urogynecologic Society

9466 Georgia Ave PMB 2064, Silver Spring, MD 20910

(301) 273-0570

Update contact preferences or unsubscribe