ePolicy News January 2022

New York to Spend $10 Billion to Expand Healthcare Workforce
In her State of the State address, New York Governor Kathy Hochul outlined her plan to spend $10 billion to expand the state’s healthcare workforce by 20 percent over the next five years. Read more.

ASCP is taking issue with some rules in the No Surprises Act passed by Congress in 2021. The Act, which goes into effect in January, seeks to protect consumers from surprise medical bills that result from care unknowingly received from out of network hospitals, doctors or other providers they did not choose. ASCP is continuing to engaged with the Biden Administration to ensure the final rule results in fair payment to pathologists and other service providers. Read more.

ASCP, AMA File Amicus Brief Urging Supreme Court to Support OSHA Rule
The U.S. Supreme Court should deny legal challenges to a temporary requirement by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration that workers who are not vaccinated for COVID-19 should be tested weekly and wear masks, according to a brief filed by ASCP, the American Medical Association and 14 other medical societies. Read more.

ASCP Notches Critical Win for Pathology, Laboratory Community on Impending Medicare Cuts
ASCP is declaring victory for our members as Congress approved on Dec. 9 legislation overriding a series of massive cuts to Medicare reimbursement for laboratory and pathology services. The measure averts payment reductions of almost 10 percent on pathology services and up to 15 percent on hundreds of laboratory tests. Read more.

Cervical Cancer Screening in 2022: Why Co-Testing is Essential for Patient-Centered Care
On Jan. 26, ASCP CEO Blair Holladay, PhD, MASCP, SCT(ASCP)^CM, will moderate a free roundtable discussion on cervical cancer screening strategy in the U.S. Dr. Holladay and a multi-disciplinary panel of experts featuring cytopathologists and Ob/Gyns will use patient case-based reviews to address timely topics. Read more.

ASCP Seeks Your Input to Improve Effective Test Utilization  
As part of ASCP’s Choosing Wisely Initiative, the Society needs your input in its efforts to expand its evidence-based list of recommended tests which providers and patients should discuss to determine what medical tests are appropriate and truly necessary. Read more.

COVID-19 Tests Drive Increased Medicare Part B Spending on Lab Tests in 2020
A new report on Medicare spending for laboratory tests indicates Medicare Part B spending on laboratory tests in 2020 increased significantly due to spending on COVID-19 tests. Overall spending rose from $7.7 billion in 2019 to $8.0 billion in 2020. Read more.

CMS Guidance on the Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination Interim Final Rule
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has released guidance on its Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination Interim Final Rule, requiring vaccinations for eligible staff at healthcare facilities participating in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Read more.

ASCP, AMA Concerns About Electronic Funds Transfer Payments Garner Response
In response to concerns voiced by ASCP and the American Medical Association, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services plans to review its policy and enforcement of business practices by health plans related to electronic payments for health care services. Read more.

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