Sep 19, 2012 | Compliance, Legal, and Malpractice, Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology, Uncategorized
Pathologists and clinical laboratory administrators have an opportunity to add value to physicians who are transitioning to new ACO model
It is good news for advocates of accountable care organizations (ACOs). Since the beginning of 2012, an ever-growing number of provider organizations have signed up to participate in Medicare ACO contracts.
This steady increase in the number of hospitals and health systems participating in Medicare and private payer ACOs will have at one interesting consequence. It means that the clinical laboratories will be part of the clinical service mix for the ACOs operated by the hospitals and health systems. (more…)
Feb 14, 2011 | Compliance, Legal, and Malpractice, Laboratory Pathology, Managed Care Contracts & Payer Reimbursement
CMS says it will take steps to rescind the final rule before its scheduled implementation on April 1, 2011
Clinical laboratories and pathology groups will welcome the news that the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will take steps to rescind the final rule that requires the physician’s signature be on all paper requisitions for medical laboratory tests ordered on behalf of Medicare patients. It means that implementation of the rule—now scheduled to become effective on April 1, 2011—will not happen if CMS officials act in a timely manner.
Dark Daily has learned that last Friday a conference call took place involving Jonathan Blum, Director of the Center for Medicare Management, and representatives from the American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB) and the American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA). During the conference call, Blum disclosed that a decision had been reached within CMS to rescind the final rule that would require physicians’ signatures on paper requisitions for medical laboratory tests. Apparently, CMS intends to take the steps necessary to rescind this final rule before its effective date of April 1, 2011.
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Dec 1, 2010 | Laboratory Pathology, Managed Care Contracts & Payer Reimbursement
Still No Medicare Quality Measures for Clinical Laboratories and Pathology Groups
Transparency in provider outcomes is moving one step forward and this time it’s a new bonus plan for Medicare Advantage plans. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) believes the enhancement will encourage lower performing plans to improve their quality of care.
Quality Measures Should Interest Medical Laboratory Managers
Pathologists and clinical laboratory managers will be interested to learn that, during the 3-year demonstration project, bonuses of 5% will be paid to Medicare Advantage plans that achieve a 5-star rating. Lesser bonuses will be paid to those plans that achieve three to four stars. A new twist is that this update also includes a new “low performer” icon to alert Medicare Advantage recipients of plans that earn less than three stars over a 3-year period.
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