
ACG is deeply saddened by the devastating Southern California wildfires that have impacted thousands of individuals and their homes, businesses, and medical practices. As the response and recovery continues, ACG is committed to supporting GI providers and patients in the region.
This week, ACG sent a letter to CMS, urging the agency to provide Medicare quality reporting exceptions for providers in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. This is consistent with federal and California state emergency declarations, and follows similar actions by state regulatory agencies, who instructed payors to remove barriers to care during this period.
In addition, given the upcoming March 31 data submission deadline, we are urging similar flexibility for impacted physicians in Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee – where HHS has extended the public health emergency in response to Hurricane Helene through the end of March.
For each reporting period, CMS offers an “Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Exception”; however, this deadline for the 2024 performance year was December 31, 2024. Our letter asks CMS to apply a blanket, retroactive exception based on the federal emergency declarations.
“When faced with emergencies, we hear inspiring stories of healthcare providers rising to the occasion, helping their neighbors, friends, and family,” the letter reads. “As these areas face an uphill battle, ACG members and healthcare providers must harness resources and efforts to prioritize patient care and serve their communities – they should not be hindered by a looming -9% payment cut in CY 2026 for failing to report 2024 QPP measures by March 31, 2025.”
ACG will keep members updated of any response from CMS. The ACG family sends our best wishes to colleagues in California, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee for their continued safety and recovery.