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On August 25, 2008, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a guide to assists stakeholders with better understanding the processes used to determine coverage, coding and payment for new technologies under the Medicare program. Read the rest of this entry »
In the August 22, 2008 Federal Register, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a proposed rule that would replace ICD-9 code sets with ICD-10 code sets effective October 1, 2011. Developed 30 years ago, ICD-9 has just 17,000 codes and is expected to run out of space as early as 2009. The ICD-10 sets contain more than 155,000 codes, which can accommodate a variety of new diagnoses and procedures. Read the rest of this entry »
On July 31, 2008, the “Clinical Laboratory Diagnostic Fee Schedule Modernization Act of 2008” (HR 6761) was introduced in an effort to modernize the clinical diagnostic laboratory fee schedule. Read the rest of this entry »
The original September 1, 2008 deadline for required usage of the new ABN was extended by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). According to the CMS website, providers (including independent laboratories), physicians, practitioners, and suppliers will not be required to use the new form until March 1, 2009. Read the rest of this entry »
Public Comment Encouraged
Aug. 4 – Sept. 3, 2008
Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) has opened a National Coverage Analysis (NCA) to complete a thorough review of evidence to determine if the use of pharmacogenomic testing for warfarin is reasonable and necessary under the Medicare program. (https://www.cms.hhs.gov/mcd/viewtrackingsheet.asp?id=224) Read the rest of this entry »
On Wednesday, July 9, the US Senate, by a 69-30 veto-proof majority passed the “Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008.”
The legislation would replace a 10.6 percent cut in Medicare physician payments that took effect July 1 with a 0.5 percent update extension through Dec. 31 and provide a 1.1 percent update for 2009.
Two weeks ago, the bill (HR 6331) was passed in the House of Representatives by a veto-proof majority of 355 to 59. The bill now goes to President George w. Bush to be signed into law.
On Friday, June 6, 2008, Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (MT) introduced the “Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008.” The most significant provision impacting clinical laboratories is the repeal of the competitive bidding demonstration project. Read the rest of this entry »
On Tuesday, April 8, a United States judge ordered a preliminary injunction against the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) competitive bidding demonstration in the San Diego-San Marcos-Carlsbad Metropolitan Statistical Area. The ruling was in response to a motion filed by three area laboratories seeking to stop the CMS from implementing the project. Read the rest of this entry »
The Clinical Laboratory Coalition (CLC) announced its support for a lawsuit filed today by San Diego area clinical laboratories and health systems in an attempt to stop the federal government from moving forward in its plan to limit San Diego laboratory services. The lawsuit also seeks to require public notice and comment on this project, as mandated by federal law. Read the rest of this entry »
Diagnosis Is Key to Prevent Health Complications and Spread of Infectious Diseases.
Cases of Chlamydia Trachomatis and Neisseria Gonorrhoeae continue to increase across the United States, according to a recent CDC report, Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance 2006. Ranked by cases per 100,000 people, Tennessee was listed No. 9 in the country for numbers of Chlamydia cases and No. 10 for gonorrhea. Read the rest of this entry »