Previous Advocacy Updates

Significant changes are needed to the Food and Drug Administration draft guidance on oversight of LDTs, the CAP said during testimony at an FDA forum.

Laboratories file appeal in Medicare Clinical Laboratory Fees Case and PA ends Prior Authorizations for opioid treatments after AMA and PA Medical Society advocacy efforts.

New law confronting opioid epidemic includes autopsy reports in CDC surveillance and additional information on 2019 MIPS payment adjustments.

On November 1, the CMS issued the 2019 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program changes that will impact Medicare pathology payment and services.

The CAP opposes CGS Administrators, LLC’s proposal to adopt a local coverage determination on special IHC stains in Kentucky and Ohio.

The CAP urged Noridian to rescind a draft LCD on special stains because its base evidence is unsubstantiated and it encroaches on medical judgment.

At an FDA workshop, the CAP expressed concern over an approach to regulating diagnostic tests for human genetics and genomics using NGS technology.

The Senate passed a SGR repeal bill that includes a CAP provision to ensure pathologists can more easily comply with Medicare quality initiatives.

CMS grants some CAP-requested changes to specific payment issues in 2019 Hospital Outpatient Regulation and CAP reviews final changes in 2019 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule regulation.

CAP advocates for accurate patient diagnoses, health quality at 2018 AMA Interim Meeting and check out the latest Pathology workforce and economic trends in the 2018 Practice Leader Survey Report.

The CAP opposes eliminating CMS autopsy standard and asks the agency to reduce regulatory burden on Pathologists.

Recent GAO report claims new clinical laboratory rates may create excess payments.

The CAP files legal brief calling on court to set aside PAMA rates and CMS releases 2019 CLFS rates.

The CMS approves Pathologists Quality Registry with more quality measures for 2019 and the CAP fights for more flexibility for Pathologists in QPP.

The CAP improves changes to Medicare's Shared Savings Program to help protect pathologists and CMS updates QPP login credentials.

Pathologists’ Medicare services get covered and paid during government shutdown and recurring PathPAC donation option still available to CAP members.

The CAP lists key congressional committee leaders important to Pathologists and for 2019 Data Collection, the CMS updates PAMA laboratory requirements.

The CAP asks CMS to reconsider coverage changes to NGS-based tests and April 2 is the last day to attest to Improvement Activities and avoid a penalty.

The CAP advocates with FDA for broader labeling of companion diagnostics to help protect pathologists. Working to ensure patient care is guided by the best test available, the CAP engaged with the FDA in support of broader labeling of companion diagnostics.

The CAP, along with laboratory industry groups, requested a meeting with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to discuss strong disagreements with a recent GAO report concerning new Medicare payment rates for clinical laboratory services as mandated by PAMA.