[Histonet] Devasting news on 88305TC component

Mon Nov 5 10:03:45 CST 2012

Hi Histonetters. 

I was curious as to what measures or thoughts anyone had regarding the news from CAP about CMS cutting the 88305 TC by 52%. 

This is a devastating thought and from the news letter it is supposed to start 1/1/13 and I dont see anywhere in here where it says specifically POL's. This loks to effect all of us. 

Here’s the news letter. Your thoughts are appreciated. 

Thanks

Kim D

CMS Cuts 88305 TC by 52%, Molecular Codes Go On CLFS
November 1—Advancing its commitment to contain health care delivery costs, CMS announced a series of physician pay cuts impacting pathologists in the final 2013 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) released today. Most notably, the agency lowered the technical component (TC) of the surgical pathology code 88305 by 52%, although it raised the professional component (PC) by 2%, beginning Jan. 1. This change alters the global payment for this code, which will decrease by 33% as a result of this revaluation. The agency also announced that the newly developed molecular pathology CPT codes would be placed on the Medicare Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule (CLFS). A new CMS HCPCS II G-code was created for situations requiring physician interpretation and reporting of these tests for Medicare beneficiaries.
The revaluation of the 88305 code—as well as other codes in this surgical pathology family—is not surprising. As directed by the health care reform law, CMS has been focused on scrutinizing high volume codes from all specialties as potentially overvalued services. Indeed, the 88305 code is not only high volume, but its TC has not been reviewed since valued in 2000
http://www.cap.org/apps/cap.portal?_nfpb=true&cntvwrPtlt_actionOverride=%2Fportlets%2FcontentViewer%2Fshow&_windowLabel=cntvwrPtlt&cntvwrPtlt%7BactionForm.contentReference%7D=statline%2Fspecial_report_final_2013_physician_fee_schedule.html&_state=maximized&_pageLabel=cntvwr

________________________________
From: "Kienitz, Kari" <kkienitz <@t> orclinic.com>
To: "Nails, Felton" <flnails <@t> texaschildrens.org>; 'Jesus Ellin' <JEllin <@t> yumaregional.org>; 'Cristi Rigazio' <cls71877 <@t> gmail.com>; Brendal Finlay <brendal.finlay <@t> medicalcenterclinic.com> 
Cc: "histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu" <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>; "Webster, Thomas S." <twebster <@t> crh.org> 
Sent: Friday, November 2, 2012 1:10 PM
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Devasting news on 88305TC component

Actually, the global payment for this code is being reduced by 33% according to the announcement. Regardless of the establishment, small lab; large volume lab; POL lab everyone will be taking a hit on this.  Even if the POL labs all dried up and went away, the remaining labs may get the work but they will be doing it for a lot less reimbursement. 

Kari Kienitz HT, (ASCP)
Histology Laboratory
Portland Gastroenterology
The Oregon Clinic
1111 NE 99th Ave
Portland, OR  97220
503.935.8311
kkienitz <@t> orclinic.com
________________________________________
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Nails, Felton [flnails <@t> texaschildrens.org]
Sent: Friday, November 02, 2012 10:01 AM
To: 'Jesus Ellin'; 'Cristi Rigazio'; Brendal Finlay
Cc: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu; Webster, Thomas S.
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Devasting news on 88305TC component

Before you holler political and blame the candidates, ask yourself who was hurt most by POL's?
Large reference labs.
With this change they will get back the business because it will not be profitable to establish a POL.
Also they lobbied for and increase on the PC, reference have pathologist, most POL's don't.
Just my thought

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Jesus Ellin
Sent: Friday, November 02, 2012 11:52 AM
To: 'Cristi Rigazio'; Brendal Finlay
Cc: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu; Webster, Thomas S.
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Devasting news on 88305TC component

AMEN!!!!!!!!

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Cristi Rigazio
Sent: Friday, November 02, 2012 9:32 AM
To: Brendal Finlay
Cc: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu; Webster, Thomas S.
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Devasting news on 88305TC component

Political yet?!  Seriously!  52%, while the PC is increased 2%... But in case anyone wondered both candidates for President are looking for the middle class!  Unbelievable!

Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 2, 2012, at 8:28 AM, "Brendal Finlay" <brendal.finlay <@t> medicalcenterclinic.com> wrote:

> http://www.cap.org/apps/cap.portal?_nfpb=true&cntvwrPtlt_actionOverrid
> e=%2Fportlets%2FcontentViewer%2Fshow&_windowLabel=cntvwrPtlt&cntvwrPtl
> t%7BactionForm.contentReference%7D=statline%2Fspecial_report_final_201
> 3_physician_fee_schedule.html&_state=maximized&_pageLabel=cntvwr
>
>
> Brendal Finlay, HT (ASCP)
> Medical Center Clinic
> brendal.finlay <@t> medicalcenterclinic.com
> 850.474.8758
> http://medicalcenterclinic.com
> -----Original message-----
> From: Davide Costanzo pathlocums <@t> gmail.com
> Date: Fri, 02 Nov 2012 10:09:18 -0500
> To: "Webster, Thomas S." twebster <@t> crh.org
> Subject: Re: [Histonet] Devasting news on 88305TCcomponent
>
> That is devastating! Do you have a link to this information?
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Nov 2, 2012, at 4:53 AM, "Webster, Thomas S." wrote:
>
>> Devastating I meant
>>
>>
>> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:
>> This e-mail message, including all attachments, is for the sole use
> of the
>> intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged
>> information. You may NOT use, disclose, copy or disseminate this
>> information. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact
> the
>> sender by reply e-mail immediately. Please destroy all copies of the
>> original message and all attachments. Your cooperation is greatly
>> appreciated.
>> Columbus Regional Hospital
>> 2400 East 17th Street
>> Columbus, Indiana
> 47201_______________________________________________
>> Histonet mailing list
>> Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
>
> _______________________________________________
> Histonet mailing list
> Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
> _______________________________________________
> Histonet mailing list
> Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

_______________________________________________
Histonet mailing list
Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

______________________________________________________________________
This message is confidential, intended only for the named
recipient(s) and may contain information that is privileged or exempt from disclosure under applicable law.  If you are not the intended recipient(s), you are notified that the dissemination, distribution, or copying of this message is strictly prohibited.  If you receive this message in error, or are not the named recipient(s), please notify the sender at either the e-mail, fax, address, or telephone number listed above and delete this e-mail from your computer.
Thank You.
______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________
Histonet mailing list
Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

______________________________________________________________________
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:
The information in this e-mail may be confidential and/or
privileged.  If you are not the intended recipient or an
authorized representative of the intended recipient, you
are hereby notified that any review, dissemination, or
copying of this e-mail and its attachments, if any, or
the information contained herein is prohibited.  If you
have received this e-mail in error, please immediately
notify the sender by return e-mail and delete this e-mail
from your computer system.  Thank you.
______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________
Histonet mailing list
Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
_______________________________________________
Histonet mailing list
Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet