In the August 22, 2008 Federal Register, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a proposed rule that would replace ICD-9 code sets with ICD-10 code sets effective October 1, 2011. Developed 30 years ago, ICD-9 has just 17,000 codes and is expected to run out of space as early as 2009. The ICD-10 sets contain more than 155,000 codes, which can accommodate a variety of new diagnoses and procedures. Read the rest of this entry »
On July 31, 2008, the “Clinical Laboratory Diagnostic Fee Schedule Modernization Act of 2008” (HR 6761) was introduced in an effort to modernize the clinical diagnostic laboratory fee schedule. Read the rest of this entry »
The original September 1, 2008 deadline for required usage of the new ABN was extended by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). According to the CMS website, providers (including independent laboratories), physicians, practitioners, and suppliers will not be required to use the new form until March 1, 2009. Read the rest of this entry »
Public Comment Encouraged
Aug. 4 – Sept. 3, 2008
Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) has opened a National Coverage Analysis (NCA) to complete a thorough review of evidence to determine if the use of pharmacogenomic testing for warfarin is reasonable and necessary under the Medicare program. (https://www.cms.hhs.gov/mcd/viewtrackingsheet.asp?id=224) Read the rest of this entry »
Daryl Lundgrin, MD, was named the new medical director of Ascendant Medical Laboratory. He will also provide hematopathology services to Ascendant’s parent company, Molecular Pathology Laboratory Network, Inc. (MPLN) in Maryville, Tenn. Read the rest of this entry »
On Friday, June 6, 2008, Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (MT) introduced the “Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008.” The most significant provision impacting clinical laboratories is the repeal of the competitive bidding demonstration project. Read the rest of this entry »
Nearly 20 million American men and women suffer from asthma, half of which experience allergic asthma. To promote the importance of early detection and appropriate treatment of allergies before they develop into asthma, May is recognized as Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month. Read the rest of this entry »
Ascendant Medical Laboratory’s parent company, Molecular Pathology Laboratory Network, Inc. (MPLN), was presented with the Innovator Award on April 25, at the 2008 Pinnacle Business Awards hosted by the Knoxville Chamber. Read the rest of this entry »
Ascendant Medical Laboratory’s parent company, Molecular Pathology Laboratory Network, Inc. (MPLN). now offers Human papillomavirus (HPV) genotyping. Read the rest of this entry »
On Tuesday, April 8, a United States judge ordered a preliminary injunction against the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) competitive bidding demonstration in the San Diego-San Marcos-Carlsbad Metropolitan Statistical Area. The ruling was in response to a motion filed by three area laboratories seeking to stop the CMS from implementing the project. Read the rest of this entry »