Previous Advocacy Updates

The CAP resurveyed laboratory directors and confirmed what was stated in late April—that laboratories will ramp up their capacity and offer more COVID-19 tests.

The CAP launched a campaign of advocacy demanding that Congress delay, mitigate, or cancel the -8% Medicare cut for pathology services that will take effect on January 2021. Congress can stop this cut by waiving budget neutrality for Medicare changes to evaluation and management (E/M) services.

The AMA and the CAP asked the CMS to reconsider scope of practice provisions in the proposed 2021 Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System regulation.

The Department of Health and Human Services released guidance on June 4 detailing the additional data for COVID-19 tests that laboratories must report to the federal government.

The CAP applauded that the House passed the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020, as it provides flexibility to use funds beyond an initial eight-week timeframe.

The CAP has engaged with lawmakers to support certain provisions in the bill, but also called for additional changes to address specific issues concerning pathologists.

The CAP surveyed directors of accredited laboratories nationwide regarding the rate of COVID-19 testing, critical barriers to expanding testing, and the impact on pathologists.

Under new the FDA policy, commercial manufacturers will submit emergency use authorization requests for COVID-19 serology tests. The FDA released this policy following concerns regarding serology tests.

The White House published a “National Testing Blueprint” on April 27 in response to growing criticism regarding availability of testing. The CAP remains engaged with the Trump Administration and Congress regarding its response to the COVID 19 pandemic, including testing, and will be reviewing certain elements of the blueprint.

Responding to the CAP’s urgency, congressional leaders agreed to a $484 billion spending package to replenish loans program and cover expenses to expand capacity for COVID-19 tests.

The CAP and dozens of other physician groups asked Congress to strengthen the long-term financial stability of physician practices by stopping scheduled Medicare cuts in 2021.

The CAP pushes Congress to provide further financial and economic assistance to pathology practices as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn.

Pathology practices should apply early for new small business assistance loans for the Paycheck Protection Program federal assistance.

On April 3, federal assistance programs, such as the Paycheck Protection Program, began offering loans to small businesses. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act created more than $350 billion in emergency aid for small businesses during the COVID-19 national emergency and economic downturn.

Through a strategic advocacy campaign deploying the necessary resources only the CAP can provide, the CAP persuaded the federal government to issue a waiver that allows pathologists to work remotely during this national emergency.

The CAP asked to clarify insurance coverage for COVID-19 tests, suspend 2021 Medicare cuts to clinical laboratory services, and provide funds for critical relief to hospitals preparing for the surge of patients in the $2 trillion economic stimulus bill.

The CMS granted the CAP’s request for a temporary waiver giving pathologists the flexibility needed to work remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The CAP urged the CMS and engaged with Congress to allow pathologists and laboratory personnel to work remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) informed the CAP that it will suspend mandatory CLIA inspections for laboratories for a period of three weeks.

The CDC strongly encouraged clinical laboratories that are developing and implementing their own COVID-19 tests to contact their state public health department first.