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[STK]
[IN] HEA HIN
[SU] AVO POL NPT
TO HEALTH, AND NATIONAL EDITORS:
American Clinical Laboratory Association Supports Senate Passage of
Provisions for Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule in SGR Extension
Legislation
WASHINGTON, March 31, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American
Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA) - a not-for-profit association
representing the nation's leading national and regional clinical
laboratories on key federal and state government reimbursement and
regulatory policies - voiced support for provisions in the SGR
extension legislation passed by the U.S. Senate today that reform the
Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule (CLFS) by providing a more rational
process for transitioning to changes in reimbursement.
"The ACLA worked diligently with Congress on many of the lab
industry's key priorities and we are pleased that the Senate included
in the SGR extension bill several of our proposals for modernizing how
Medicare reimburses clinical laboratories," said Alan Mertz, President
of the ACLA. "When the president signs this bill, clinical labs will
avoid another potential round of indiscriminate, across-the-board
payment cuts and most importantly, seniors' access to diagnostic
testing will be protected."
Mertz noted the SGR extension legislation will bring predictability in
reimbursement over the next several years, provide more transparency,
and allow more time for laboratories and other stakeholders to prepare
for changes as well as ensure that Medicare reimbursement for anatomic
pathology services will not suffer significant cuts. In addition, it
will provide more opportunity for stakeholders to work with the
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on implementing these
important reforms.
"Clinical laboratories provide the critical information needed for 70%
of physician decisions and aid early diagnosis and treatment of
chronic diseases that, when caught early, prevent years of increasing
costs to the healthcare system," stated Mertz. "Yet, despite this
critical role in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, clinical
laboratories have been subjected to repeated cuts in Medicare
reimbursement in the past. These cuts, in addition to the threat of
further unrestricted adjustments by CMS through an adjustment process
announced last year, threatened innovation and patient access to
important laboratory services."
Specifically, the proposal repeals CMS authority to make changes to
the CLFS based on technological changes and replaces it with a process
to adjust reimbursement based on market rates, provides a per test
phase-in of reductions in reimbursement, creates a payment adjuster
for laboratories serving the most vulnerable Medicare beneficiaries,
and requires a clearly defined, transparent process for
reconsideration of CLFS rates.
"We are committed to continuing to work with Congress, CMS and other
stakeholders in reforming the CLFS while ensuring that the process
reflects the actual broad scope of the laboratory market, recognizes
the value of laboratory services and protects access for Medicare
beneficiaries," said Mertz.
SOURCE American Clinical Laboratory Association
-0- 03/31/2014
/CONTACT: Rebecca Reid, 410-212-3843
/Web Site: http://www.acla.com
CO: American Clinical Laboratory Association
ST: District of Columbia
IN: HEA HIN
SU: AVO POL NPT
PRN
-- DC94798 --
0000 03/31/2014 23:08:00 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
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