“Meet the new boss. . . same as the old boss.” The Who’s “Won’t Get Fooled Again” is a rock classic; but as far as U.S. presidents and federal regulation are concerned, the “new boss” is almost … [Read more...]
Focus On
How the Transition from Trump to Biden Will Affect Federal Regulation and Reimbursement
February 19, 2021
FOCUS ON
The Year in Labs Regulation: The 9 Biggest Stories of 2020
December 20, 2020
When 2020 started, COVID-19 was just a news story unfolding on the other side of the globe in China. The novelty of the pathogen meant that there were no tests specifically targeting the virus on the … [Read more...]
Special Report
Final Rules Offer Real Stark and Kickback Relief but Largely Exclude Labs
With its time apparently running out, the Trump administration completed one of its pet projects by finalizing the kickback reform rules it proposed in October 2019. Issued on Nov. 20, the new final … [Read more...]
CMS Says Improper Medicare Fee-for-Service Payments Are Down $15 Billion Since 2016
November 17, 2020
CMS is claiming that its “aggressive corrective actions” have saved taxpayers over $15 billion in improper Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) payments over the past four years. According to the November … [Read more...]
Reimbursement
CMS Disguises COVID-19 Rate Cut as Incentive to Process Tests Faster
November 2, 2020
Few would argue that the current turnaround time for COVID-19 testing is too long. But there are good reasons why it’s taking labs so long to process and report test results, including unprecedented … [Read more...]
Reimbursement
New Medicare 2021 Pay Rule Penalizes Labs for Long COVID-19 Test Turnaround Times
October 19, 2020
On Oct. 15, CMS announced new Medicare reimbursement policies designed to cut turnaround time and speed up processing of COVID-19 tests. Medicare Reimbursement of COVID-19 Testing When the … [Read more...]
Technology
CMS Proposes Clarified Medicare Coverage “Reasonable and Necessary” Criteria for Breakthrough Devices
September 17, 2020
On Sept. 1, CMS proposed a new rule that would, among other things, shed some light on an issue that has been a perennial compliance and reimbursement stumbling block for developers of new lab tests: … [Read more...]
PANDEMIC
Hospitals, Labs, LTCs Face Big Fines for Failing to Meet New CMS COVID-19 Test Daily Reporting Rules
September 17, 2020
Nursing and other long-term care (LTC) facilities have been a hotspot for COVID-19 infection since the public health emergency began. On Aug. 27, CMS issued a new Interim rule requiring LTC facilities … [Read more...]
Stark Law
CMS Proposes to Peel Back Restrictions on Physician Owned Hospital Expansions
September 4, 2020
From the onset, the Administration has assigned a high priority to loosening Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) restrictions. And now CMS has floated two new proposals allowing for greater … [Read more...]
Fee Schedules
2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Slashes Lab Reimbursements 5% but Provides Some PAMA Relief
September 4, 2020
On Aug. 3, CMS released the proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) rule for 2021. Bottom line on top: The agency is slashing lab reimbursement rates. Here are the four key takeaways for labs. … [Read more...]
