ePolicy News April 2020

Find a list of the stories in the April 2020 edition of ePolicy News below.

ASCP Clarifies Laboratory Professionals Can Provide Pathology Services Remotely
Per ASCP’s request, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has clarified that its recent policy change to ensure pathologists may review pathology slides remotely also applies to laboratory professionals. Read More

Medicare to Provide Advance Payment to Aid Physician Practices
The Medicare program will provide “accelerated and advance payments to aid physician practices” as emergency funding, and it will address case flow issues based on historical payments when there is a disruption in claims submission and/or claims processing. Read More

HHS Seeks Daily COVID-19 Testing Update from Hospitals
The Trump Administration is seeking daily updates from hospitals on their COVID-19 testing data. This request does not affect other reporting requirements. Read More

ASCP Working on COVID-19 Testing Shortages
In response to an ASCP Action Alert, more than 25,000 letters were sent to federal policy makers expressing concern about shortages of reagents, RNA extraction kits, other testing supplies, such as personal protective equipment, and qualified laboratory personnel that are needed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More

$2 Trillion Stimulus Package Will Affect Medical Labs
Clarification of insurance coverage of COVID-19 diagnostic tests is among several significant policy changes in the recently enacted $2 trillion stimulus package that will impact the laboratory community.  Learn more about how the stimulus package will affect laboratories. Read More

Laboratories on the Front Lines: Battling COVID-19
ASCP has developed a docuseries that offers an extraordinary, behind-the-scenes look at how medical laboratories across the nation are dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and taking care of patients. ASCP CEO E. Blair Holladay, PhD, MASCP, SCT(ASCP)CM, leads these interviews with top laboratory leaders. Read More

Trump Names COVID-19 Testing Czar
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar has appointed that Admiral Brett Giroir, MD, Assistant Secretary for Health and head of the Public Health Service, to coordinate COVID-19 diagnostic testing efforts among public health service agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration. Read More

CMS Provides MIPS Reporting Relief Due to COVID-19
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has extended its deadline through April 30, 2020 for 2019 Merit-based Incentive Payment System reporting in an attempt to support those on the front lines of the COVID-19 response. Read More

ASCP, CAP Developing New Lymphoma Guidelines
ASCP is working with the College of American Pathology and the American Society of Hematology in a collaborative effort, chaired by ASCP Past President Steven Kroft, MD, MASCP, to develop an evidence-based clinical practice guideline on the “Laboratory Workup of Lymphoma.” Read More

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