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May 01, 2018
Pathologists to Advocate for LCD, PAMA Reform at the 2018 Policy Meeting
Almost 100 CAP members traveled to Washington, DC, to advocate for pathology during the 2018 Policy Meeting from April 30 through May 2.
Council on Government and Professional Affairs (CGPA) Chair Donald S. Karcher, MD, FCAP, opened the meeting on April 30 by reviewing the challenges facing the pathology specialty. Dr. Karcher then led a panel discussion with CGPA leaders Emily E. Volk, MD, FCAP, Stephen Black-Schaffer, MD, FCAP, and Joe Saad, MD, FCAP.
The panel reviewed the momentum gained in Congress for the CAP’s Medicare Local Coverage Determination (LCD) Clarification Act and discussed what is needed for the bill’s passage this year. Pathologists also will advocate for eforms to the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) to fix the implementation of a market-based payment system to reimburse clinical laboratory services.
Nearly 80 CAP members will discuss these advocacy priorities during 130 meetings with the offices of Senate and House members on May 2. Since 2012, CAP members have participated in over 700 meetings with congressional offices and achieved several victories. For example, physicians successfully advocated for the repeal of the sustainable growth rate (SGR). CAP members also have successfully avoided Medicare payment penalties from the Electronic Health Record (EHR) Meaningful Use program after engaging with members of Congress at previous Policy Meetings and through the CAP's grassroots network PathNET.
Reporting Burdens on Pathologists in MIPS Reporting
Dr. Volk, who is the vice-chair of the CGPA, led a panel discussion on advocating for pathologists’ success in MIPS and challenges pathologists face as hospital-based physicians in reporting under the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and how the CAP is helping pathologists participate in the program.
Dr. Volk was joined by Diana M. Cardona, MD, FCAP, Vice Chair, Economic Affairs Committee; Reena Duseja, MD, Director, Division of Quality Measurement at CM and; Kevin Donnelly, CEO/Executive Director at PCPI.
During the first session, pathologists discussed burdens they faced in Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) reporting and strategies to reduce burdens for physicians. Dr. Volk reviewed how MIPS rules apply to pathologists and the CAP’s strategy to help pathologists be successful in MIPS. Dr. Cardona also discussed the importance of quality measures development and how the CAP is addressing the unique circumstances of the pathology practice. Dr. Duseja stated that the CAP has been engaged with the CMS on these issues and she encouraged pathologists to continue to communicate concerns about the MIPS program to the agency.
Woodruff Provides Overview on the Current Policy Environment
During her luncheon keynote address, Judy Woodruff provided an objective overview on the current news environment and the Trump Administration. Members asked engaging questions regarding the fatigue of breaking news and reporting on current events, such as the firing of former FBI Director James Comey, and the renewed relationship of North and South Korea.
On May 1, Policy Meeting attendees will receive additional political analysis from Charlie Cook, a political analyst and publisher of the Cook Political Report, and William Kristol, founder and editor-at-large for The Weekly Standard and an analyst with ABC News.
Valuation, Payment, and Coverage Pressures Facing Pathology
Jonathan Myles, MD, FCAP, and Susan Bailey, MD, Speaker of the AMA House of Delegates, discussed how the AMA and the CAP work together on important policy issues facing pathologists as well as payment pressures facing pathology. Dr. Bailey voiced the House of Medicine concerns on important payment policy issues, while Dr. Myles discussed how the CAP is specifically working to stop and mitigate cuts to pathology and clinical laboratory services.
Dr. Black-Schaffer and Dr. Saad led a panel on current trends in advocacy and coverage determinations with Tamara Syrek-Jensen, JD, Director, Coverage & Analysis Group, Center for Clinical Standards and Quality at the CMS. Dr. Black-Schaffer identified problems with the current LCD process and Dr. Saad spoke about how the CAP’s LCD Clarification Act would address those problems.
Ms. Syrek-Jensen encouraged pathologists to engage with the CMS on their concerns regarding coverage policy.
Look for more coverage of the 2018 Policy Meeting in the next issue of STATLINE.
Join, Use PathNET to Lobby Congress during the 2018 Policy Meeting
On May 2, your colleagues will be in Washington, DC, meeting with congressional offices and advocating for pathology during our annual Hill Day. Pathologists will highlight the need to increase transparency, strengthen accountability, and empower physician participation in regulatory programs that are impacting pathology by reforming the Medicare LCD process. They will also urge legislators to amend the PAMA to reflect an accurate, market-based payment system for laboratories paid through the clinical laboratory fee schedule.
If you couldn’t make it to Washington this year you can still make a difference from your home or office! Visit our Action Center to see national and local advocacy campaigns. It’s easy and takes little time to advocate on the issues impacting how you practice and your ability to provide patients with quality care.
Join PathNET and visit the Action Center today.
2018 Practice Leader Survey Is Now Open
Do you wonder if your pathology practice has the same issues as other practices across the nation? If so, the CAP 2018 Practice Leader Survey (PLS ), which is now open, will collect information from practice leaders about practice demographics, patient case mix, staffing trends, impacts of mergers and acquisitions, and the impact from regulatory issues and an evolving healthcare marketplace.
Do you wonder if your pathology practice has the same issues as other practices across the nation? If so, the CAP 2018 Practice Leader Survey (PLS ), which is now open, will collect information from practice leaders about practice demographics, patient case mix, staffing trends, impacts of mergers and acquisitions, and the impact from regulatory issues and an evolving healthcare marketplace.
The 2018 PLS is the second CAP Policy and Advocacy survey targeting pathology practice leaders. Practice leaders should have received an email with the survey link. The link will also be sent to many practice managers and administrators, with a request that they bring the survey to the attention of their practice leader. CAP members should encourage their practice leader to take the survey, which only takes 20 minutes to complete. There will be one survey per practice. Those practices that complete the 2018 PLS will be eligible to win one of three $150 Amazon gift cards. The PLS is confidential. Anyone taking the survey will remain anonymous and results will only be shared in aggregate form.
All survey participants will be able to view an exclusive webinar that will review the findings later this year.
For questions about completing the survey, or if you want to make sure that your practice leader received the survey, please email PRACTICESURVEY@CAP.ORG.