Neurology Workforce
Priority Issues
The AAN is committed to supporting issues and initiatives related to strengthening the neurology workforce including physician reimbursement, wellness, and immigration. As the population in the United States grows older, more Americans are expected to develop chronic neurologic conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease which require specialized care. Without a strong neurology workforce, patients are unable to receive the care they need.
Reimbursement
Our current Medicare payment system is broken. Medicare Access and Chip Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA), which began as a well-intended and widely supported fix to previous issues in the payment system, is now fraught with barriers to patient access to care. These issues are compounded by the lack of an annual inflationary update for physician payment. Due to these widespread payment issues and other added workforce challenges, neurology practices continue to struggle to stay afloat and provide care to their patients. The AAN is committed to payment reform efforts to promote a sustainable payment system and to working with regulators and legislators to ensure that the work done by neurologists is appropriately valued.
AAN Supports:
Recent Activity:
- AAN and Others Commend Representatives on Introduction of H.R. 2474, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act | Posted April 19, 2023
- AAN Joins Request for Annual Inflation-Based Payment Update for Physicians | Posted March 15, 2023
- AAN Joins Recommendations on MIPS Value Pathways Implementation | Posted March 2, 2023
- AAN Reiterates Request to Congress to Enact Medicare Payment Reform | Posted January 23, 2023
- AAN Comments in Response to the 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule | Posted August 25, 2022
Additional Resources:
Physician Wellness
Physician wellness and mental health have always been critical when addressing workforce challenges, but it has become even more pressing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The AAN has supported efforts to increase access to mental health services, like the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, and advocates for policy changes that are conducive to physician wellness. These efforts ensure that physician health is not forgotten as our members care for their patients and that physicians are able to stay in the workforce to provide their much-needed expertise.
Immigration
The AAN values our diverse membership and the compassionate care our members provide to patients worldwide. Immigration policy is an integral part of addressing the issues facing the neurology workforce in the United States. With international medical graduates (IMGs) making up 31.5% of the active neurology workforce, these members are essential to providing quality neurologic care to patients nationwide.