Advocacy News

• Fighting Medicare cuts: Protecting pathology services
• Ask your Medicare questions Aug. 5
• BCBS settlement deadline July 29
• August recess rally: Make your voice heard
• Path News Daily now streaming
• 90+ CME credits, 75+ expert courses, one unmissable annual meeting

In the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) officials have proposed new policies that would arbitrarily drive down pay for specialty services—including pathology. 
 

Our response: The CAP strongly objects to CMS' arbitrary cuts and is seeking to reverse reductions to pathology services in the fee schedule released July 14.
 

Medicare proposals for 2026 affect pathologists differently, depending on a variety of factors including case mix and practice type.

Efficiency adjustments

CMS is creating "efficiency adjustments" because it believes productivity gains are not captured in physician work relative values (RVUs) used to calculate fees.

• They propose a 2.5% decrease in work RVUs for non-time-based specialty services.
• Officials think these services should be more efficient with experience and technology—and they’re planning to adjust services every three years. 

For pathologists: Adjustments apply to all 129 common pathology services, including key CPT codes 88305, 88312, and 88341.

• The work RVUs assigned to 88305, for example, decrease from 0.75 to 0.73. Global and professional component (26-modifiers) payments will be affected by this policy. 

Facility setting
CMS also wants to significantly reduce pay for indirect practice costs for services priced in the facility setting. 

• This proposal affects the valuation of bone marrow, blood, consultations, and apheresis services in facility settings. Surgical pathology services are not affected.
• CAP's stance: The CMS' assumptions for these cuts are flawed. We’re stressing that the proposed reductions will hinder physicians' ability to deliver essential care.

The bottom line: Pay for pathology services would be higher in 2026 if not for these policies. 

• The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” increased overall physician spending by 2.5% in 2026, but pathology will see a net gain of only 0.56%.

What's next: The CAP will submit comments, meet with CMS officials, and continue opposing the adverse policies.

• The comment period for the fee schedule closes September 12.
   

We’ll answer questions about the proposed 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program rulemaking on August 5. 

Our experts will provide a comprehensive overview of proposed changes and how they affect pathologists next year.

• Panelists: A. Joe Saad, MD, CPE, FCAP; Ronald W. McLawhon, MD, PhD, FCAP; Gregary Bocsi, DO, FCAP
• Date and Time: August 5, 1:00 PM ET

Register today

Physicians and their practices might be eligible for part of a multi-billion-dollar settlement involving BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS).

A US District Court in Alabama has given preliminary approval to a landmark BCBS antitrust settlement. 

• The settlement calls for BCBS to pay $2.8 billion into a fund designated for settlement class members, including physicians, group practices, and health care facilities.

What's next: Physicians and physician groups who want to make a claim and meet settlement criteria should file by July 29. 

Go Deeper: Read what physicians should know.

August is a prime time to protect your laboratory from regulatory overreach and additional cuts. 

Opportunity: With members of Congress back home, you can connect with and educate them on pathology's top legislative issues, such as physician workforce shortages and private payer authorization. 

Your representatives and senators will only act on these issues if they hear from you. 

• Congress will return in September with a packed legislative agenda, so it's crucial to make pathology issues top of mind now.
• Engaging during the recess ensures that when they get back to Capitol Hill, they’ll prioritize pathology concerns. 

What's next: CAP members will receive updates throughout August on how to take action and advocate effectively during the August recess rally. 

• Sign up for our text alerts and monitor our action alert center so you can make sure your voice is heard!

Path News Network Daily Edition is now live! 

Subscribe to our new flagship daily newscast, delivering the latest in pathology and laboratory medicine. 

Listen to the Path News Network Daily Edition, weekdays at 5:00 AM ET on YouTube or wherever podcasts are available!

The countdown to CAP25 is on!

CAP25 provides an opportunity to learn about the latest developments in the specialty through dynamic and interactive courses, all while networking and connecting with your peers. We’ll also host the Inaugural celebration for CAP President-Elect Qihui “Jim” Zhai, MD, FCAP.

Other key highlights include:

• Over 75 expert-led courses offering 90+ CME credits, featuring:
• Case-Based Approaches to Challenging Pathologic Concepts
• How Is My Payment Determined for Pathology Services?
• Pathology Pathways: Ask Me Anything with various sub-specialties
• 11 video microscopy sessions and eight "bite-size" Learning Labs
• Four hands-on workshops, five new case-based mini courses, and more!

Register now with code CME25200 to receive $200 off an All-Access pass!