FROM: Taha Meraj, MD, President-elect

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MOS SUBJECT: ADVOCACY UPDATE – BCBSM Modifier 25 Policy

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Dear MOS membership,

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I am writing to provide you with an update regarding our ongoing advocacy efforts

against the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) policy that proposes a 50%

reimbursement reduction for Evaluation and Management (E/M) services billed with

Modifier 25, currently scheduled to take effect on May 1, 2026. Over the past several

weeks, MOS has been working alongside our state and national partners to ensure

BCBSM leadership fully understands the severe clinical and financial impacts of this

flawed policy. On Tuesday, March 24, 2026, a meeting was held with BCBSM. This

meeting demonstrated the full weight of organized medicine with representation from

the Michigan State Medical Society (MSMS), the American Medical Association (AMA)

including AMA President Dr. Mukkamala, and leadership from various state specialty

societies, including MOS.

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During this meeting, our coalition presented BCBSM with a comprehensive list of

clinical, operational, and valuation concerns. MOS specifically raised awareness of

how this would affect everyday clinical practice and patient care, and how it would

increase medical costs by penalizing care efficiency. MOS is hopeful that BCBSM will

recognize the disruptive nature of this policy and choose to formally rescind it.

We anticipate receiving a formal response from BCBSM soon and expect to provide you

with another definitive update around mid-April. While we remain optimistic, if BCBSM

ignores the medical community's consensus, and allows this policy to stand, MOS,

working closely with MSMS, is actively investigating and preparing to deploy all

available advocacy, regulatory, and legal strategies to protect our practices and our

patients.

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We will continue to keep you informed as this situation develops over the coming

weeks. Thank you for your continued membership and your dedication to providing

exceptional otolaryngology care to your patients.

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Sincerely,

Taha Meraj, MD

President-Elect, Michigan Otolaryngologic Society