November 2023

American Vascular Unveils New Chapter:

Welcoming Dr. Andrew Mullins to Cardiac Thoracic & Endovascular Therapies

We are excited to share a momentous development at Cardiac Thoracic &  Endovascular Therapies. Our esteemed Interventional Radiologist, Dr. Andrew Mullins, is joining forces with the visionary founder, Dr. James B. Williams, to further elevate the standard of vascular care in the Central Illinois region.

A Fusion of Dedication and Expertise

Dr. Andrew Mullins’ journey is evidence of his dedication and service. A recipient of a Navy Health Professions Scholarship, Dr. Mullins completed his medical degree at Kirksville College of
Osteopathic Medicine. His diverse experience includes a surgical internship at the National Naval Medical Center and two years as a General Medical Officer with Special Boat Team-22. After 17 years of distinguished military service, Dr. Mullins transitioned to private practice, joining a thriving Cardiovascular Interventional Radiology practice at a community hospital. Now, Dr. Mullins is bringing his passion and expertise to Cardiac Thoracic & Endovascular Therapies in Peoria. Together with Dr. James B. Williams, they share a commitment to aggressively treating peripheral arterial disease, preventing life-altering consequences like amputation, and improving access to high-quality care for the community.

Dr. James B. Williams: Pioneering Excellence
Founded in 2000, Cardiac Thoracic & Endovascular Therapies stands as a testament to Dr. James B. Williams’ pioneering spirit. His unwavering dedication to the Central Illinois community is reflected in the center’s focus on cutting-edge techniques in a unique outpatient setting. Dr. Williams’ expertise in endovascular therapies has not only helped patients avoid more invasive procedures but has also resulted in faster recoveries and an improved quality of life.

Welcoming Dr. Mullins to the team marks a new chapter in the center’s journey. Dr. Williams envisions expanded reach and collaboration, enhancing accessibility and quality of cardiovascular and endovascular treatments for all patients in need. Since their Open House, they have proudly expanded their reach with satellite locations in Peru and Galesburg, IL. We invite you to join us in welcoming Dr. Mullins and celebrating the growth and continued
excellence of Cardiac Thoracic & Endovascular Therapies. This collaboration represents American Vascular’s commitment to providing the highest level of care to local communities.

Thank you for being a valued part of the community. We look forward to the continued journey of advancing vascular care and making a positive impact on the lives of all patients.

Southern Delaware Vascular Institute Grand Opening: A Beacon of
Comprehensive Vascular Care in Lewes, Delaware Lewes, DE — September, 2023 — Southern Delaware Vascular Institute (SDeVI) proudly opens its doors to the provider community, marking a significant milestone in bringing state-of-the-art vascular care to the heart of Delaware. A Confluence of Expertise for Comprehensive Care What happens when a prominent cardiovascular group, a team of vascular surgeons, an Interventional Radiologist with a passion for embolization therapies, and one of the largest Vascular management company join forces? The answer is Southern Delaware Vascular Institute (SDeVI), an innovative healthcare facility that addresses the diverse vascular needs of the community. The esteemed physicians behind this initiative include Dr.s’ Rob Myers, Carlos Neves, Kevin Caldwell, Sean Ryan, Alberto Rosa, Ajith Kumar, and Mark Garcia.

Recognizing a crucial need in the community for a comprehensive vascular care center, these innovative physicians reached out to American Vascular for its expertise in making their vision a reality. The result is a state-of-the-art facility that brings together advanced medical technology, a team of skilled professionals, and a commitment to delivering unparalleled care. Your Destination for Vascular Health Needs SDeVI stands as a beacon of hope for individuals seeking top-notch vascular care in the Delmarva region. The Grand Opening on November 2, 2023, was an opportunity for the provider community to witness the culmination of months of dedication, collaboration,
and planning.

The facility’s Office-Based Lab (OBL) is designed to offer a comprehensive suite of vascular health services, providing patients with a convenient and accessible location for their healthcare needs. The physicians at SDeVI are committed to delivering personalized, patient-centric care, utilizing the latest advancements in vascular medicine. American Vascular: Partnering for Success American Vascular is thrilled to be part of this collaborative effort, working alongside the visionary physicians at SDeVI to make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of the Delmarva community. The Grand Opening marks not only the unveiling of a cutting-edge healthcare facility but also the beginning of a journey to enhance accessibility and quality of vascular care in the region.

June 2023

May 26, 2023
The Honorable Gus Bilirakis                                                         The Honorable Tony Cardenas
2306 Rayburn House Office Building                                          2181 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515                                                                Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Greg Murphy, MD                                               The Honorable Danny Davis
407 Cannon House Office Building                                             2159 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515                                                                Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representatives Bilirakis, Murphy, Cardenas, and Davis:

On behalf of the undersigned organizations, a coalition of national medical societies,
representing a broad range of physicians, health professionals and practice managers who
care for Medicare beneficiaries in a community-based, office setting, thank you for
introducing H.R. 3674, the “Providing Relief and Stability for Medicare Patients Act of
2023.” This critical legislation mitigates cuts to office-based specialists for a targeted group
of services for two years, thereby helping to avoid significant disruptions in patient access
to care while overall concerns regarding the future of Medicare physician payments are
addressed.

Office-based specialty care is a critical service outside of the hospital setting. These
specialists provide a wide range of services to patients with cancer, end-stage renal
disease, eye disease, fibroids, as well as limb salvage and venous ulcer needs. The office
setting is also critical for patient access (especially in rural and underserved areas) and can
result in patients receiving care in a timelier manner. Unfortunately, the prolonged
instability within the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS)—driven by a confluence of
fiscal uncertainties physician practices face related to statutory payment cuts, perennial
lack of inflationary updates, significant administrative barriers, and the cumulative impact
of the pandemic—is jeopardizing the financial viability of many community, office-based,
physician practices.

H.R. 3674 would provide targeted relief for these practices by providing an increase to the
non-facility practice expense relative value units (PE RVU’s) for those procedures performed
in an office-based setting that utilize high-tech medical devices and/or equipment and thus
were most negatively impacted in the 2022 PFS with the updating of the clinical labor costs
in the budget neutral practice expense methodology.

As you are aware, the discrepancy between what it costs to run a physician practice and
actual payment combined with the administrative and financial burden of participating in
Medicare is incentivizing market consolidation. We are concerned that the ongoing severity
of these cuts, combined with additional payment adjustments anticipated in the
forthcoming CY2024 PFS, will result in a breaking point for many physicians. Absent
additional Congressional intervention via passage of H.R. 3674, the result will be
more providers leaving the field (either through retirement or career adjustment),
more practices being closed or sold, and a significant number of patients losing
access to a variety of healthcare service in their communities.

Again, thank you for your efforts and leadership in introducing legislation to provide
targeted relief for community-based physician practices. Our organizations stand in strong
support of H.R. 3674 and look forward to working with you to advance this critical bill.

Sincerely,

Alliance of Wound Care Stakeholders
American Association of Clinical Urologists
American College of Cardiology
American College of Radiation Oncology
American College of Radiology
American Rhinologic Society
American Society for Radiation Oncology
American Society of Diagnostic and Interventional Nephrology
American Society of Nephrology
American Urological Association
American Vein & Lymphatic Society
American Venous Forum
Association of Freestanding Radiation Oncology Centers
CardioVascular Coalition
Dialysis Vascular Access Coalition
Free From Fibroids Foundation
Large Urology Group Practice Association (LUGPA)
Outpatient Endovascular and Interventional Society
Renal Physicians Association
Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions
Society for Vascular Surgery
Society of Interventional Radiology
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
United Specialists for Patient Access

June 2023

We need you to make your voice heard!

H.R. 3674, the “Providing Relief and Stability for Medicare Patients Act of 2023” is bipartisan legislation that mitigates cuts to office-based specialists and avoids significant disruptions in patient access to care.

We need providers to weigh in with Congress and express how important this new legislation is. 

How you can help: CLICK HERE TO CONTACT YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS AND TELL THEM TO SUPPORT H.R. 3674.

Office-based specialty care is a critical service outside of the hospital setting. These specialists provide a wide range of services to patients with cancer, end-stage renal disease, eye disease, fibroids, as well as limb salvage and venous ulcer needs. The office setting is also critical for patient access (especially in rural and underserved areas) and lower patient copays. Unfortunately, the prolonged instability within the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS)—driven by statutory payment cuts, perennial lack of inflationary updates, significant administrative barriers, and the cumulative impact of the pandemic—is jeopardizing the financial viability of many community, office-based, physician practices.

​

H.R. 3674 would provide targeted relief for office-based practices that utilize high-tech medical devices and/or equipment and thus were most negatively impacted in the 2022 PFS with the updating of the clinical labor costs in the budget neutral practice expense methodology.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE ACTION!
Failure to pass H.R. 3674 will result in more providers leaving the field (either through retirement or career adjustment), more practices being closed or sold, and a significant number of patients losing access to a variety of healthcare services in their communities.

Best,

The USPA Team

The mission of USPA is to unify and strengthen the voice of office-based specialists, enabling professionals and patient advocates to work collaboratively with Congress and the Administration to achieve near-term relief and long-term payment stability in the Physician Fee Schedule. For more information, please click here: https://www.uspaccess.org.

Dr. Siddhartha Rao to Join Revolutionary Amputation Prevention Campaign

We are proud to announce that Dr. Siddhartha Rao of Vascular Solutions of North Carolina — one of our associate centers — has been invited by the American Diabetes Association to join its newest Amputation Prevention Campaign.

This campaign is focused on preventing unnecessary diabetes-related amputations, thereby enhancing patient outcomes and quality of life via state, federal, and regulatory action.

Dr. Rao will serve as an expert on the campaign’s clinical panel, which focuses on critical insights and perspectives as a part of the Clinical Advisory Working Group.

According to the American Diabetes Association, this impactful group will “regularly convene to provide subject matter expertise on preventing unnecessary amputations, developing educational material for providers and at-risk populations, and shape recommendations for improving Standards of Care.”

Congratulations, Dr. Rao!

Day of Action: USPA Members Discuss | Clinical Labor and EM Cuts With Congress

USPA members participated in over 100 meetings with members of Congress and their staff to stop the ongoing clinical labor and EM cuts to office-based specialists in the 2023 MPFS

WASHINGTON, DC — Yesterday, the United Specialists for Patient

Access (USPA) organized a virtual lobby day to meet with over 100 members of Congress and staff to discuss the proposed cuts to clinical labor and EM in the 2023 Physician Fee Schedule (CMS-1770-P). 

USPA

Members shared with lawmakers and their staff the vital role office-based specialists play in our healthcare system and the patients who rely on their care. If the cuts proposed in the 2023 PFS are finalized as written, office-based specialists would have no choice but to close their doors or reduce services. This round of closures would further accelerate widespread health system consolidation, limit patient options, and, as a result, undermine the Biden administration’s efforts to address health equity issues.

Click here to read USPA’s comment letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). 

Dr. Mark Garcia, USPA board member and CMO for American Vascular Associates, said,

 “Right now, our priority is to do all we can to stop the proposed cuts to office-based specialists in the 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. We need lawmakers to see that our nation’s specialists cannot endure another round of drastic cuts. It’s not sustainable and the outlook is bleak if nothing is done. Office-based centers are already closing in record numbers. Further Medicare cuts will only accelerate this trend, cause higher prices, limit patient access to care, and worsen health equity issues nationwide.”

Dr. Garcia continued, “Congress and CMS must stop these cuts to office-based specialists!”

October, 2021

We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our associate center, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐡𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐦 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲, for being recognized by the American College of Cardiology in the 2022 𝘜.𝘚. 𝘕𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘰𝘧 “𝘉𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘏𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘴”!⁣
⁣
This guidebook is compiled to highlight the health care leaders that foster a positive patient experience, implement the highest standards of care, and more. Congratulations on your exemplary cardiovascular care!⁣

September, 2021

OEIS

We’re proud to announce that we will be participating in the 𝟾𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘖𝘌𝘐𝘚 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨!
𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐬:
Sept. 24 – 25
Booth #206

July, 2021

July UFE Post with Collaborative IR video

July is UFE Awareness Month! Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) is a minimally-invasive method for blocking blood flow to a uterine fibroid, thereby shrinking it to the point of elimination in one simple outpatient procedure. UFE is FDA-approved, requires no general anesthesia, requires no large surgical incisions, and does not affect fertility. If you’re looking for more uterine fibroid-related resources to pass on to a loved one or patient, we can help. Our CEO, Jan Dees, is the Vice-Chair of the Free From Fibroids board of directors. Check out the Free From Fibroids website below to learn more about the 501(c)(3) and its mission!
https://freefromfibroids.org/

May, 2021

National Meeting

• American Vascular Associates was proud to host its annual National Center Director Educational Symposium from May 4th through May 7th, which was held at the esteemed Sheraton Sand Key on Clearwater Beach.

While on-site, attendees were not only provided with industry updates regarding EMR systems, staff organization and leadership, revenue cycle management, and more, but they were also offered the opportunity to engage with one another in regular break-out sessions and workshops.

In all, between symposium sessions and social events, leaders from both American Vascular Associates and its associate centers effectively furthered their combined commitment to physician development and patient care through collaborative education.

May 7, 2021

Welcome Chief Medical Officer: Dr. Mark Garcia

Please join American Vascular Associates in welcoming our new Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Mark Garcia!

Dr. Garcia is an award-winning vascular and interventional radiologist who is board-certified by the American Board of Radiology in diagnostic radiology. With a proven history of excellence, he brings with him years of experience in publishing academic articles and research, conducting clinical trials, and providing quality care to patients for nearly 20 years.

Now, as the new CMO, Dr. Garcia will strengthen the American Vascular Associates’ vision of synergistically expanding and supporting associate centers.

“I elected to join AVA because, from the moment I met the leadership team, it was clear they really want to make a difference for both the patient and physician,” Dr. Garcia said. “With their strong leadership, expertise, and ability to implement positive change to the practice, not only will the patient benefit but so will a physician’s ability to focus on and improve their patient care. It’s very clear to me they are dedicated to enhancing patient care and the practice, as well as a physician’s lifestyle and well-being.”

Dr. Garcia is also the founder and medical director of Endovascular Consultants, where he is the owner of his own vascular center in Wilmington, DE.

Welcome to the team, Dr. Garcia!

April 14, 2021

Recognizing Dr. Davis

We would like to take a moment to recognize Dr. Davis of Douglas Vascular Center, one of our associate centers, for passing the comprehensive exam and meeting all of the requirements of the American Board Of Venous & Lymphatic Medicine (ABVLM)!

Certification in venous and lymphatic medicine demonstrates Dr. Davis’s commitment to providing quality patient care, as well as to continuing to elevate his professional standards of care for venous disease patients.

As of 2020, there were only 886 physicians certified in Venous & Lymphatic Medicine in the United States — and now Dr. Davis is one of the esteemed few to be a part of their ranks!

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Davis!

March, 2021

Celebrating The Skills Of Dr. Rao & Dr. Vitulli

We are proud to celebrate Dr. Sid Rao and Dr. Paul Vitulli two of our physicians for their recent recognition by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS)!

As leading endovascular specialists, Dr. Rao and Dr. Vitulli — of Vascular Solutions of North Carolina and Duval Vascular Center, respectively — have been listed by the CMS as members of an elite group of U.S.-based vascular specialists that perform pedal–plantar loop technique — a minimally-invasive procedure capable of saving a patient’s limb.

Thus, they not only save patients’ limbs but also patients’  lives as they prevent the disease progression of PAD (Peripheral Arterial Disease).

Congratulations, Dr. Rao and Dr. Vitulli, we’re proud to have you in our network!

Click here to see the LinkedIn post citing other such specialists.

Click here to visit the official website of Vascular Solutions of North Carolina and Dr. Rao.

Click here to visit the official website of Duval Vascular Center and Dr. Vitulli.

December 2020

We Need Your Support

Starting Jan. 1, 2021, new Medicare cuts instituted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will go into effect, thereby placing an additional financial burden on providers. In response, H.B. 8702, “The Holding Providers Harmless From Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act of 2020,” was introduced by members of Congress in October. This bill would allow providers to be paid in 2021 and 2022 under the original 2020 PFS, thereby making them whole.

Please visit FreeRoots to automatically draft a letter to your Congressional representative(s) and ask them to save specialty care!

November 2020

The 2020 PAD Awareness Lifetime Achievement Award Winner: Mary Yost

Please join us in congratulating our colleague and friend, Mary Yost, for her passion and endless commitment to peripheral arterial disease (PAD) awareness and limb salvation!

On Tuesday, Nov. 17, Mary was presented with the PAD Awareness Lifetime Achievement Award by The Way To My Heart, a non-profit organization whose mission focuses on PAD patients.

Mary was the first recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award in nearly two decades. As the co-founder and president of the Sage Group, she created a significant positive impact on PAD patient outcomes through her extensive research and various efforts to raise awareness of the disease.

To learn more about the award and Mary’s achievement, please read this article.

Otherwise, please take a moment to watch the video below, which contains a brief lecture entitled “PAD & CLI Where is the Media?”

July 2020

Congratulations Team Rao!

Sid Rao, MD is a world-class interventional cardiologist located in Cary, NC. Dr Rao, Dr Devulapalli and their team, along with assistance from American Vascular Associates (AVA) has opened Amputation Prevention Center of North Carolina. AVA is exceptionally fortunate to have Dr Rao as a part of our 100+ network of physicians across the US. When you meet Dr Rao you immediately understand his passion for providing the optimum level of patient care. Check out his most recent publication in Cath Lab Digest and SAGE Open Medicine.

Congratulations Team Rao!