SCAI President Srihari Naidu, MD, detailed some of the challenges interventional cardiologists face as reimbursements keep declining. The group has been building new partnerships with other medical societies to strengthen its influence in Washington. 

President Donald Trump’s administration argues that their “WISeR” model will eliminate unnecessary testing and save Medicare money. But eight Democrats opposing it think it will only bring Medicare Advantage chaos to Part A and Part B.

With eight Democrats agreeing to the Republican-backed deal that reverses the firings of federal workers, the Senate now has the 60 votes needed for the bill to advance. The rehirings will include the 1,200 workers fired at the Department of Health and Human Services. 

Starting in 2026, patients covered by UnitedHealthcare's Medicare Advantage and commercial plans will not have care reimbursed for instances of remote patient monitoring unless they have diagnosed heart failure or are pregnant and experiencing hypertension. The shift stands at odds with traditional Medicare, which added new claims codes for providers to use next year.

Nasser Mohamed, MD, a neurologist who operates a clinical practice in San Francisco, said an artificial intelligence system used by the autonomous taxi company led to him being denied multiple rides. He is seeking injunctive relief.