Previous Advocacy Updates

Medicare should remove discounts applied to add-on codes for IHC and other services, the CAP advocated in its comments on the 2017 fee schedule.

Leading organizations representing pathologists have stated their strong support for the Local Coverage Determination Clarification Act (HR 5721).

According to the latest experience report on the PQRS program, 86.3% of eligible pathologists earned a Medicare bonus by reporting quality measures developed by the CAP.

The CAP applauded the introduction of the Local Coverage Determination Clarification Act to improve transparency and accountability when Medicare contractors set LCD policies.

In the proposed 2017 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, the CMS proposed to maintain value for several pathology codes targeted as misvalued. The CMS also proposed gains for add-on codes used for IHC and FISH services, which the CAP had strongly advocated for in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

The CAP advocated for several changes to the proposed MACRA regulation that reflect the value pathologists have on patient care and ensure pathologists can participate in the new payment programs.

The AMA House of Delegates approved a modernized Code of Medical Ethics, which concluded two years of work and deliberation on the code, including input from the CAP.

The CMS delayed until 2018 the implementation of PAMA reforms to the Medicare clinical laboratory fee schedule, which requires collection and reporting of private payer data.

The CMS detailed how it plans to implement payment reforms mandated by the MACRA law in a proposed regulation released on April 27.

Precision medicine and medical innovations legislation advanced in the Senate after gaining approval from the Health, Education, Labor, & Pension Committee.

California strengthens patient access to in-network hospital-based physicians, including pathologists in new regulation addressing health plan network adequacy.

The CAP and state pathology societies blocked legislation to limit balance billing by out-of-network physicians in Colorado and Tennessee.

The CAP continues to directly engage with the CMS on how to implement the new Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and Alternative Payment Models (APMs).

The Institute of Medicine published several recommendations regarding biomarker tests in a new report co-sponsored by the CAP.

Stay up to date on Northeastern states' balance billing, meaningful use penalties, and anticipated regulatory developments.

After passing the New Jersey Senate, Governor Christie vetoed the CAP-Model ACO Advisory Board Bill on January 19.

Following advocacy by the CAP and laboratory community, Congress sent a letter urging the CMS to reconsider and rewrite key provisions of its PAMA rule.

Register to view our presentation on the CMS' plans to move forward with new PAMA rules affecting laboratory operations and future CLFS Medicare pay.

CAP members urged their elected officials to sign a letter calling on the CMS to reconsider key provisions in its Medicare CLFS reforms.

The CAP called for significant changes to the regulation that revamps the Medicare clinical laboratory fee schedule and creates new mandates in 2016.