In its July 2011 update to the list of waived tests, CMS added three new devices approved by the FDA for this purpose. CPT CODE EFFECTIVE DATE DESCRIPTION 82274QW, G0328QW January 1, 2011 Polymedco Poly Stat OC-light FOB Test 87804QW January 10, 2011 BTNX, Inc. Rapid Response Influenza A Test Cassette 87804QW January…
COLA continues to expand its capabilities to support laboratories during COVID-19, and recently the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved COLA’s virtual survey process. This process was submitted in response to the current pandemic and its effect on the ability to perform surveys within the timeframe required by CMS. “Currently, we anticipate…
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released its final rates for the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule (CLFS) that will phase-in a significant cut in the rates of those common tests physicians use every day to diagnose and treat patients. The first cut is 10% effective January 1, 2018. The Protecting Access to…
Agency offers healthcare providers flexibilities to ensure continued access to care for patients Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma today announced new efforts underway at the agency to support millions of Americans impacted by Hurricane Harvey. The ongoing response at CMS is focused on helping Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, providers, facilities…
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued proposed regulations which would, among other things, includes regulatory revisions to the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act Amendments of 1988 (CLIA 88). Specifically, the proposed rule would implement the “Taking Essential Steps for Testing Act of 2012” (Pub. L. 112-202). Enacted on December 4, 2012, the…
Congratulations to COLA Accredited, Moleculera Labs, who today, announced the receipt of a two-year, $300,000 matching grant from the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST). This grant supports the development and clinical validation of new diagnostic testing panels to identify autoantibodies directed against neuronal antigens in patients experiencing neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression,…
Accreditor Calls for More Education for Point-of-Care Testing Personnel
COLA was approved by Laboratory Field Services (LFS) to accredit laboratories for purposes of demonstrating compliance with California’s unique laws and regulations, which are aimed to ensure quality in clinical laboratory testing. COLA made its first application for approval in December 2011 and was given official notification of approval in September of 2013. Three other…
Fledgling program surges in popularity among COLA members
COLA, marking 25 years of service to the laboratory industry, announced it is funding a $25,000 endowment to expand Howard Community College’s newly created Medical Laboratory Technician program. The gift is designed to help create further awareness of laboratory science careers, at a time when there are more than 40,000 current lab job vacancies in…
