October 30, 2026
CAP Economic Affairs Committee
Transcript
Nick Lanyi
The federal government issues its final rule on new healthcare IT products. The new chair of the CAP's Economic Affairs Committee describes its work. And some spooky stuff from the world of pathology. Oooooh. These stories and more coming up next. Welcome to CAP News. I'm Nick Lanyi with the College of American Pathologists. It's Friday, October 30th. Here's what's making news in pathology and laboratory medicine. The federal government this week released new rules that make it easier for healthcare IT companies to get their products to market. The so-called HTI-5 final rule was issued by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. The rule reduces the number of requirements for companies to achieve federal certification. While the CAP supported updating some of these requirements, the final rule eliminated some that the CAP supported, notably requiring IT companies to disclose information about the data and training used to create their models. The CAP argues that transparency helps pathologists decide how to use a software or AI product safely. Before the end of the year, Congress will consider healthcare bills affecting Medicare reimbursement, the physician workforce shortage, prior authorization of laboratory tests, and more. Those are all reasons why all members should sign up for the CAP's virtual Hill Day on Wednesday, November eighteenth. Members will meet online with congressional representatives and their staffs that day. No advocacy experience is required. Meetings are less than 30 minutes long, and the CAP will handle the scheduling and provide talking points. Go to the CAP website's advocacy page for more information and to register. Speaking of advocacy issues, many of the biggest ones right now are on the agenda of the CAP's Economic Affairs Committee. The committee reads the paragraphs, subparagraphs, and subsubparagraphs of reimbursement policies by Medicare and private insurers, and it examines the metrics used to determine payments. The work may sound dry, and it is, but it's at the heart of how pathologists and laboratories get paid. The committee's new chair is Dr. Theresa Emory. Here she is describing two of the most important concepts.
Dr. Theresa Emory
CPT stands for Current Procedural Terminology. These are the codes used to describe and report medical services. The RUC is an American Medical Association committee that recommends to Medicare the physician work and practice resources required to provide those services.
Nick Lanyi
The committee works to inform and influence that process.
Dr. Theresa Emory
So every service we report has a code describing it, and how that service is described in value affects the resources available to us to provide care. For example, interpreting a biopsy may involve reviewing clinical information, comparing previous specimens, selecting additional studies, and discussing findings with a treating physician. The work can vary considerably, even among cases reported under the same code. And we pathologists need to be able to explain that work clearly to people outside of our specialty and support our assessments with accurate information.
Nick Lanyi
How can CAP members help?
Dr. Theresa Emory
First and foremost, participate thoughtfully if you receive a survey from the CAP. Also, share specific examples of coding or insurance problems affecting patient care. And respond to advocacy opportunities. You do not need to be a policy expert to offer valuable insight. You understand the work you perform and what your patients need.
Nick Lanyi
And finally, it's the day before the year's scariest holiday, and that means you still have time to prepare, pathology style. Immerse yourself in creepy crawlies with the CAP's new Arthropod Benchtop Reference Guide, 2nd edition. Or do a deep dive among the many microorganisms with monster names, like vampirococcus, a predatory bacteria that sucks the life out of its victims. Or listen to ghost stories from Dr. Kendall Crowns, Chief Medical Examiner of Tarrant County, Texas. He devoted an episode of his Mayhem in the Morgue podcast to such characters as the Lady in Red, a spectral figure that haunts hospitals. However, you choose to celebrate, have a happy and safe Halloween. Well, that's all for today. See the show notes for more information on today's stories. And spread the word about the podcast by sharing a link on social media. We'll be back Monday, November 2nd with another edition of CAP News. I'm Nick Lanyi. Have a wonderful weekend.