As the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is more determined than ever to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. ACS CAN is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state, and local levels. ACS CAN empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence based public policy change, as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden.

In 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) annual Physician Fee Schedule proposed creating a new reimbursement code for Medicare enrollees diagnosed with high-risk conditions, including cancer, to access Principal Illness Navigation (PIN) services. In response, ACS CAN issued a letter to CMS, with the support of 59 partner organizations, as well as a second letter commenting on the then proposed rule in support of the patient navigation provisions along with specific recommendations on how the new reimbursement should be implemented. These adopted rules took effect on January 1, 2024. 

This year, in response to CMS’ CY2025 Physician Fee Schedule’s Principal Illness Navigation provisions, ACS CAN has once again drafted a sign-on letter. If your organization wishes to sign on after reading the attached letter, please complete the following form by Friday, September 6, 2024, at 12 pm EST. Please note that ONLY organization signatures will be accepted (no individual signatures will be accepted). This letter is intended for patient advocacy organizations, as well as Community Based Organizations that offer patient navigation services and health care organizations that have or are considering having patient navigation programs and are Medicare providers to sign onto. 

If you have any questions please contact Gladys Arias, Principal, Health Equity Policy Analysis and Legislative Support at ACS CAN at [email protected] Thanks!