AAA, ADA, and ASHA Respond to False Claims about Medicare Audiology Legislation

The American Academy of Audiology (AAA), Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA), and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) have issued a formal response to the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) rebutting its recent letter to Congress [PDF] opposing the Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act (S.1996/H.R.2757) and asking for a meeting to discuss the bill.

The response from the presidents of the three audiology groups disputes AAO-HNS’s mischaracterization of the legislation and the role of audiologists in providing hearing and balance care. The audiology organizations describe the AAO-HNS letter, which was sent to Congress on June 3, as “false, misleading, and inaccurate,” and in direct contradiction to evidence-based clinical practice and federal data.

The letter from the audiology groups [PDF] highlights the following:

• Audiologists are doctoral-level, licensed providers authorized in all states to practice independently. They provide direct, safe, and effective care to patients across the lifespan.
• The Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act does not alter the scope of practice or designate audiologists as physicians. Instead, it removes unnecessary physician order requirements and restrictions on reimbursement that unfairly penalize seniors, aligning with existing practices in Medicare Advantage and other programs and payers.
• AAO-HNS’s own clinical guidelines recognize the vital and independent role audiologists play in diagnosing and treating a range of hearing and balance conditions.
• Audiologists and the physicians that AAO-HNS represents work collaboratively and often in an integrated manner as part of a holistic care team.

AAA, ADA, and ASHA have requested a meeting with AAO-HNS to clarify misunderstandings and reinforce a shared commitment to evidence-based, patient-centered care for individuals of all ages who need care that audiologists are licensed to provide.

Resources:

• Take Action for the Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act.
• Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act Reintroduced in U.S. House of Representatives
• Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act Introduced in Senate