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November 1, 2016
Avoid Medicare Payment Penalties; Take Action in 2017
In 2017, most pathologists will need to take action to stop penalties from reducing future Medicare payments for their services. On November 2, the CAP will host a 60-minute webinar to discuss 2017 options for preventing Medicare penalties and, in certain cases, increase reimbursements in 2019. The webinar will be led by Patrick Godbey, MD, FCAP; Diana Cardona, MD, FCAP; and Stephen Black-Schaffer, MD, FCAP. The presentation begins at 2 PM ET/1 PM CT.
On October 14, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its final rulemaking that implemented provisions of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA). Measurement for new quality payment programs will begin in 2017 and affect Medicare reimbursement in 2019. One payment pathway, the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), is projected to have a $1.5 billion impact on pathology reimbursement between 2019 and 2024.
Key elements in the final MACRA regulation include:
- Additional flexibility with four MIPS participation options for physicians.
- Pathologists, including pathologists practicing at independent laboratories, are considered eligible for MIPS and are required to participate in the program
- A new definition of non-patient-facing physicians
- Reduced risk criteria for alternative payment models (APMs).
In addition to registering for the CAP's webinar, read the CAP's initial analysis of the MACRA regulation.
CAP Webinar: Medicare Changes in Pathology Reimbursement for 2017
With the 2017 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule due out as soon as today, the CAP invites you to find out what Medicare will pay for pathology services in next year by registering for the CAP's webinar: "The Final 2017 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule's Impact on Pathology Services." The CAP will host this presentation for members on November 8 at 2 PM ET/1 PM CT.
Throughout this hour-long panel discussion, CAP experts will explain the changes by the CMS in the 2017 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. Our featured presenters are Patrick Godbey, MD, FCAP; Jonathan Myles, MD, FCAP; Mark Synovec, MD, FCAP; and John Scott, VP of CAP Policy and Advocacy.
In July, the CMS provided detail on its intention to revalue certain pathology services targeted as potentially misvalued. For 2017, the CMS proposed increases for:
- Pathology add-on services
- Microslide consultations
- Prostate biopsy, any method G-code
- Tumor immunohistochemistry
The CMS also proposed decreases in the physician work and practice expense for some services, such as flow cytometry.
During the webinar, CAP experts will discuss how the final rule affects Medicare reimbursement for pathology services and the CAP's advocacy efforts to impact these changes. The second part of the webinar will be a question-and-answer session.
Save the Date: The 2017 CAP Policy Meeting April 24-26
Join your colleagues at the 2017 CAP Policy Meeting April 24-26 in Washington, DC. Focus on the issues most important to pathologists and participate in the CAP's annual Hill Day, when CAP members visit Capitol Hill to speak with their elected officials and seek their support on vital public policy issues that impact the specialty. This is a unique opportunity for you to personally advocate to improve patient care and the practice of pathology.
Policymakers want to hear from pathologists to gain a better understanding of how legislative initiatives will impact patient care and the practice of medicine. Your involvement in these discussions will have a significant impact on the laws and regulations that are changing how health care is delivered.
At the 2017 CAP Policy Meeting, government leaders and policy experts will discuss how these major changes will impact your practice. CAP members will receive information on how to prepare your practice for these changes and how to make an impact on the regulations moving through Congress.