CMS July 18th Public Meeting and AMA July 20th Meeting

Dark Daily reported this week on the CMS public meeting in Baltimore on July 18, 2011 that will discuss reimbursement for pathology groups and clinical laboratories for genetic tests and molecular diagnostic assays and rightfully points out that the stakes for some medical laboratory testing companies are substantial.

XiFin is hosting a webinar to discuss how this and the July 20 AMA meeting in Chicago have the potential to radically rewrite the reimbursement landscape. Participate in the webinar to prepare for new coding rules, and strategically plan in these uncertain waters, both before and after January 1, 2013, when new code requirements will go into effect. If you miss the webinar on July 8th, be sure to catch the recording, which will be posted on www.xifin.com.

The focus for the July 18 meeting is to update the CPT codes and reduce the use of “code stacking”, CMS would like stakeholders to comment about:

• Which types of genetic and molecular tests should be incorporated into the medical lab charge plan, and which tests should be incorporated into the medical professional charge plan;
• How existing CPT codes might better reflect the steps—including methods and techniques—used in specific genetic and molecular laboratory tests; and,
• How various genetic tests are similar to/different from existing laboratory tests.

What comments do you have in response that you want to be sure are included as CMS develops coverage guidelines and reimbursement levels for the 2012 laboratory test fee schedule?