CMS Estimates 2016 PFS to Have Positive Impact on Pathology, Independent Labs

This past year brought many unwelcome reimbursement developments most notably, the initial steps to implement PAMA; but it also included the repeal of the Sustainable Growth Rate. CMS predicts the 2016 Physician Fee Schedule final rule, the first physician fee schedule issued since the SGR repeal, brings some silver linings with a positive impact on payment to pathologists and independent laboratories, 8% and 9% respectively. CMS predicts that for pathology, work relative value units (RVU) changes and Practice Expense RVU changes will each have a 4% positive impact. For independent laboratories, CMS predicts a 1% impact due to Work RVU changes and a 7% positive impact due to Practice Expense RVU changes.