LUGPA Fly-In Recap: October 21–22, 2025 | Washington, D.C.Advocating for Reimbursement Reform, ASP+6 Protections, Telehealth Permanency, and Patient Access to Medications
The October 2025 LUGPA Fly-In took place under extraordinary circumstances in Washington, D.C., as the federal government shutdown, beginning October 1, entered its fourth week. Despite these challenges, LUGPA’s physician leaders and advocacy team advanced critical discussions with congressional offices to promote sustainable reimbursement reform, preserve community-based cancer care, protect patient access to medications, and secure permanent telehealth coverage. Advocacy Amid a Shutdown While the House remained out of session, LUGPA members met with key legislators and staff to highlight how payment instability, supply restrictions, and expiring telehealth flexibilities threaten patient access and the viability of independent practices. Reimbursement Reform: Ensuring Practice Stability
Independent urology practices continue to face mounting financial pressure as Medicare payments have increased only 9% since 2001, while practice costs have risen more than 45% over the same period. The 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule imposed yet another 2.83% cut, compounding years of underpayment and resulting in an estimated 6.3% real-dollar loss for practices. To address this unsustainable trend, LUGPA urged Congress to enact immediate relief through:
LUGPA’s Message: Congress must enact long-term reimbursement reform that reflects real practice costs, protects patient access, and prevents further consolidation. Preserving ASP+6% for Community-Based Cancer Care LUGPA strongly advocated for H.R. 4299 – Protecting Patient Access to Cancer and Complex Therapies Act, introduced by Reps. Adam Gray (D-CA), Greg Murphy, MD (R-NC), and Neal Dunn, MD (R-FL). This bipartisan legislation safeguards the ASP+6% add-on payments for Medicare Part B drugs by preserving provider reimbursements at that level while requiring manufacturers to pay equivalent rebates directly to CMS for drugs subject to maximum fair price (MFP) negotiations. It also adjusts beneficiary coinsurance to be based on the lower MFP+6% rate, ensuring patients benefit from reduced costs without disrupting provider payments. Without this reform, the Inflation Reduction Act's drug price negotiations, effective for Part B starting in 2028, could reduce reimbursement rates by up to 61% for certain drugs, based on independent analyses, potentially jeopardizing the viability of independent practices. This might force patients to shift from cost-effective community settings to more expensive hospital-based care. Thanks to our fly-in advocacy efforts, Representatives Harris, Kustoff, Kean, and Miller-Meeks joined as new cosponsors of the Protecting Patient Access to Cancer and Complex Therapies Act. LUGPA’s Message: Congress must pass H.R. 4299 to preserve ASP+6% reimbursements, maintain access to advanced therapies in community practices, and ensure fair compensation for independent physicians while aligning with the IRA's goals of affordability. Permanent Telehealth Coverage With pandemic-era telehealth waivers expiring on October 1, 2025, LUGPA emphasized the urgency of passing H.R. 2263 – Telehealth Coverage Act of 2025, which would make permanent critical flexibilities such as:
These provisions are essential for patients in rural and underserved areas to maintain continuity of care. LUGPA’s Message: Telehealth is essential for modern patient care. Congress must prevent a “telehealth cliff” that would disrupt access for millions of seniors. Restoring Patient Access to Medications LUGPA also prioritized H.R. 2484 – the Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act - which restores physicians’ ability to dispense and mail Part D medications to patients under the in-office ancillary services exception. Advanced through the House Energy and Commerce Committee with strong bipartisan support (38–7), this bill addresses CMS restrictions that have hindered seniors' and rural patients' access to medication. LUGPA’s Message: Physicians should be able to safely dispense and mail medications to ensure timely treatment for patients, especially those facing mobility or geographic barriers. Core Advocacy Priorities
Looking Ahead Even amid a government shutdown, the 2025 Fly-In reaffirmed LUGPA’s leadership in advocating for policies that sustain independent urology and protect patient access to care.
LUGPA’s message remains clear: Independent urology is essential to delivering high-quality, cost-effective, and patient-centered care. Meetings and Engagement In-Person Meetings
Staff-Level Meetings
Your Participation Matters LUGPA’s October Fly-In once again demonstrated the power of direct physician advocacy in shaping federal policy. These efforts are only possible because of the dedication of our members, whose insights and leadership continue to make a difference. We encourage all LUGPA members, especially participants in our advocacy donor groups, to consider joining a future fly-in. Your expertise, stories, and presence on Capitol Hill give weight to our message and help ensure independent urology remains a strong voice in national healthcare policy. If you are interested in participating in a future Washington, D.C. Fly-In, please contact Matthew Glans at [email protected]. Thank You to Our Attending Members LUGPA extends sincere appreciation to the physicians and staff who participated in the October 2025 Fly-In. Your time, expertise, and commitment to advocacy are vital to advancing policies that protect independent urology and ensure patient access to high-quality care. Attending Members: Thank You to Our Participating Practices The LUGPA Political Affairs Committee extends its sincere gratitude to the physicians and administrators whose time and commitment made the October Fly-In possible:
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