Advocacy Update

Read the Latest Issue of Advocacy Update

• CAP Partners with Physician Associations Lobbying for a Balanced Solution on Surprise Bills
• Laboratories Should Be Aware as First US Reported Case of Deadly Coronavirus Illness
• 2019 Practice Characteristics Survey Insights: How Pathologists Spend Their Time
• Overwhelmed with Medicare Payment Policies? The Pathologists Leadership Summit Can Help
• Last Chance to Take January Advocacy News Quiz

With renewed attention on surprise bills in 2020, the CAP strongly advocated for reimbursement provisions to fairly compensate physicians for medical care provided out-of-network. In a January 21 letter to leaders of the House Ways and Means Committee, the CAP, and ten other physician associations, including the American Medical Association, engaged with Congress on developing bipartisan legislation that will protect patients from surprise bills and safeguard patient access to care.

The CAP stands shoulder-to-shoulder with physicians in our opposition to the use of median in-network rates to pay for out-of-network services. The median in-network rate will create an imbalance in the US health care system in favor of health insurers. We also urged that Congress:

• Protect patients, who should only be responsible for in-network cost-sharing amounts.
• Establish a fair, accessible independent dispute resolution process.
• Allow arbiters to consider commercially reasonable rates for comparable services, previous contracting history, the complexity of services rendered, and other relevant economic and clinical factors.

In addition to the AMA and CAP, the letter was signed by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Radiology, American College of Surgeons, American Society of Anesthesiologists, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, and National Association of Spine Specialists.

The CAP has asked Congress to solve the issue of unexpected out-of-network medical without establishing a reimbursement system that relies on benchmark rates controlled by insurance companies. Learn more about the CAP’s position on surprise bills.

Stay Engaged on Surprise Medical Bills

Pathologists need to remain part of the conversation as your voice matters. Stay engaged by urging urge your congressional representatives to protect patients from surprise bills and stop insurer-led efforts to drive down reimbursement.

Go to our grassroots platform, provide your email and ZIP Code, and take action today!

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring an outbreak of a 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, that began in December 2019. Last week, US health officials confirmed the first case of the novel coronavirus in Seattle, WA, in a man who recently traveled from Wuhan, China. Additionally, several other cases have been reported in the US. The CAP and the CDC strongly encourage clinical laboratories to be familiar with the novel coronavirus outbreak and review the updated guidance.

Clinical laboratories should consult with their respective public health departments if they receive a sample from patients with travel histories that include Wuhan City. Currently, clinical diagnostic testing for the novel coronavirus can only be completed at the CDC. However, testing for other respiratory pathogens should not delay specimen shipping to the CDC. For biosafety reasons, it is not recommended to perform virus isolation in cell culture.

For the latest updates on the coronavirus, visit www.cdc.gov.

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The category "Independent laboratory" includes central laboratories, pathologist-owned stand-alone laboratories, and specialized laboratories.

About 62% of pathologists based in academic medical centers reported spending less time on services for individual patients than did pathologists in other settings. On average, pathologists based in non-academic hospitals spent more than 75% of the time on services for individual patients.

By contrast, pathologists based in academic medical centers spent substantially more time on professional responsibilities, such as teaching and research, about 22% than did pathologists based in other settings.

For more information see: The 2019 Practice Characteristics Survey

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The category "Independent laboratory" includes central laboratories, pathologist-owned stand-alone laboratories, and specialized laboratories.

About 62% of pathologists based in academic medical centers reported spending less time on services for individual patients than did pathologists in other settings. On average, pathologists based in non-academic hospitals spent more than 75% of the time on services for individual patients.

By contrast, pathologists based in academic medical centers spent substantially more time on professional responsibilities, such as teaching and research, about 22% than did pathologists based in other settings.

For more information see: The 2019 Practice Characteristics Survey

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Are you overwhelmed with the many reimbursement and payment policies your pathology practice has to handle? You’re not alone—learn how to lead your laboratory through change at the Pathologists Leadership Summit.

This is an exclusive opportunity for CAP members to elevate leadership skills, take action, and be more effective advocates for positive change—particularly now that the Spring House of Delegates Meeting and our annual Hill Day are also part of this event.

The Pathologists Leadership Summit will help you better manage your practice, achieve greater influence, and establish and maintain relationships with the legislators who make decisions that affect your specialty.

There is no fee to attend this event, and it includes CME credits. The Pathologists Leadership Summit will give you exclusive access to unparalleled education, training, and brainstorming sessions with key CAP leaders to inspire the leader within you.

Visit pathologistsleadershipsummit.org for more information and help us set the path to a better future and register today.

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This is the last week to take January’s advocacy news quiz. Join hundreds of your fellow CAP members to test your advocacy knowledge. Try sharing your results on social media to see who has the highest score. Take the quiz today.

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