The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) prepared the following FAQ sheet answering questions about a proposed new rule to allow patients direct access to their testing results from previously-exempted labs. To view the proposed regulation, click here. Frequently Asked Questions CMS-2319-P: Patients’ Access to Test Reports 1. What are the proposed changes to…
COLA, a national laboratory accreditor and an advocate for quality in laboratory medicine and patient care, announced that Asheville Physician, R. W. “Chip” Watkins, M.D., M.P.H. has been appointed to the organization’s Board of Directors by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). Dr. Watkins serves as Medical Director of Community Care of Western…
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a proposed rule to retract the so-called physician signature requirement for clinical diagnostic lab testing. Originally part of the 2011 Physician Fee Schedule final rule, the policy would have required the signature of a physician or qualified non-physician practitioner on a requisition for tests paid…
In an effort to help address the workforce shortage which has plagued the medical laboratory profession, ASCP and Siemens will be awarding more than $125,000 in scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students during the 2011-2012 academic year. More than 100 scholarships ranging from $500 to $2,000 are available, The deadline for applications is November 15,…
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The FDA has issued an alert on Biotin in blood or other samples taken from patients who are ingesting high levels of biotin in dietary supplements can cause clinically significant incorrect lab test results. The FDA has seen an increase in the number of reported adverse events, including one death, related to biotin interference…
In 2014, Congress passed PAMA Regulations (Protecting Access to Medicare Act) to direct the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to develop a market-based methodology for determining the future rates Medicare will pay for tests under the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule. Analysis shows that the current data collection and evaluative pricing methodology, if fully…
Instant Access Webinar Hosted by John Daly, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, COLA Description: Dr. Daly presents a comprehensive background of the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA.) This PAMA update informs of the CMS newly released laboratory test reporting format. Learn More from CMS by Clicking Here Cost: FREE Click Here to View The Impact of…
Instant Access Webinar Hosted by John Daly, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, COLA Description: Dr. Daly presents a comprehensive background of the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA.) This update covers the CMS update of the Frequent Asked Questions about the PAMA regulations. The update aims to provide further clarification as to which physician office-based labs will be…
