The AfPA Online Resource Center provides AfPA members with tools to assist them in their advocacy efforts. In addition to advocacy tips, a glossary of key reimbursement terms, and links to useful websites, also available are sample appeal letters and policy statements that can help guide AfPA members thinking and get them started on the path to influencing policy.

Policy Advocacy Tips
Medicare Advantage Plans and Medicare Cost Plans - How to File a Complaint
Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage - How to File a Complaint
Tips on Policy Advocacy for Physicians
Key Criteria for Payers

Glossary of Reimbursement Terms
Glossary

Sample Appeal Letters
Example appeal letter from California Rheumatology Alliance

Sample Position Statements
AfPA Position Statement on the Principles of Evidence-Based Medical Policy Making
AfPA Position Statement on Massachusetts Gift Ban Legislation
AAN Position Statement on EMG
Example position statement on infusion therapy
Example position statements from North Carolina Rheumatology Association

Fact Sheets:
MAC Jurisdiction Facts
PQRI Fact Sheet

Articles of Interest:

• Almanac of Chronic Disease, 2008 edition, May 15, 2008
• "Insurers entice doctors to prescribe generic drugs," Associated Press, October 31, 2008

Website Links:

Medicare:

1. Medicare Home Page
2. List of All Medicare Intermediaries & Carriers
3. Search Regional Medicare Contractor Medical Directors (CMDs) & Other Key Contacts
4. Search Medicare Coverage Database
5. Search Draft LCD Status Reports
6. Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Lookup
7. National Correct Coding Initiative Edits for Physician
8. Medicare Fee Schedule Analyzer/Modeler
9. CMS Information for Medicare Providers
10. CMS Quarterly Provider Update

Medicaid:

1. Link to All State Medicaid Agencies
2. U.S. Map Link to All State Medicaid Agencies
3. National Association of State Medicaid Directors
4. List of All State Medicaid Directors

Workers Compensation:

1. Workers Comp - News and Information
2. Workers Comp Administrators Directory

Patient Assistance Programs:

1. Partnership for Prescription Assistance
2. In the Face of Pain® Online Advocacy Toolkit, a free interactive resource for the pain advocacy community that provides pain-specific advocacy information and resources covering topics related to legislative, media, community and professional organizations, as well as advocacy through research and access to care. The web site also provides advocates with the ability to research hundreds of current pain-related statistics based on condition, population or issue.

Medical Associations:

1. American Academy of Neurology
2. American Academy of Pain Medicine
3. American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
4. American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine
5. American College of Cardiology
6. American College of Rheumatology
7. American Medical Association
8. American Neurological Association
9. State Medical Societies

State Agencies:

1. State Medical Boards
2. State Departments of Insurance
3. State Health Departments

Legislators:

1. Search United States House of Representatives
2. Search United States Senate
3. State Legislative Home Pages