WEBVTT
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A big win on surgical pathology codes.
00:00:05.599 --> 00:00:13.359
It's that time again to check your MIPS scores and a look at the critical shortage of forensic pathologists.
00:00:13.359 --> 00:00:16.480
These stories and more coming up next.
00:00:16.480 --> 00:00:21.600
Welcome to CAP News.
00:00:21.600 --> 00:00:25.039
I'm Nick Lanyi with the College of American Pathologists.
00:00:25.039 --> 00:00:27.199
It's Friday, November 6th.
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Here's what's making news in pathology and laboratory medicine.
00:00:31.199 --> 00:00:46.719
In a major win for pathologists, surgical pathology codes will remain unchanged in the final 2027 Medicare Physician fee schedule released yesterday by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
00:00:46.719 --> 00:00:53.119
The proposed changes would have cut payment for some surgical pathology services by up to 90%.
00:00:53.119 --> 00:01:06.799
The CAP launched an advocacy campaign opposing the changes that included extensive formal comments, a grassroots letter writing campaign, and winning bipartisan congressional support.
00:01:06.799 --> 00:01:17.760
In its final rule, CMS said that after considering the public comments, it is neither re-valuing the codes nor finalizing any changes at this time.
00:01:17.760 --> 00:01:21.760
But surgical pathology codes could face changes down the road.
00:01:21.760 --> 00:01:39.280
Despite this important victory, Medicare reimbursements to pathologists are expected to fall by 2.3% in 2027 due to changes in the 2027 fee schedule and the expiration of payment relief under the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
00:01:39.280 --> 00:01:45.200
For details, see the CAP's impact table on the CAP website and in the show notes.
00:01:45.200 --> 00:01:54.400
CMS also released its final scores under the 2025 Merit-Based Incentive Payment System, or MIPS.
00:01:54.400 --> 00:02:04.799
These scores will determine Medicare payment adjustments in 2027 for practices that participate in CMS's Pathologist's Quality Registry.
00:02:04.799 --> 00:02:10.159
MIPS is a performance-based alternative to the regular Medicare rate system.
00:02:10.159 --> 00:02:15.360
Payments are based on the MIPS score, which measures quality of care and other factors.
00:02:15.360 --> 00:02:26.000
The CAP urges practices that participate in the Pathologist Quality Registry to review their final scores and payment adjustment information as soon as possible.
00:02:26.000 --> 00:02:36.240
If you believe CMS incorrectly calculated your final score or payment adjustment, you can request a targeted review through November 30th at 8 p.m.
00:02:36.240 --> 00:02:37.280
Eastern.
00:02:37.280 --> 00:02:49.280
The American Medical Association released a proposed framework on liability for AI systems used in clinical settings.
00:02:49.280 --> 00:02:56.479
This is part of the rollout of a broader framework for handling the growing role of artificial intelligence in medicine.
00:02:56.479 --> 00:03:10.319
When it comes to liability, the AMA said physicians should be accountable for the clinical judgments they exercise, while AI developers should be accountable for the systems they build and the risks they can control.
00:03:10.319 --> 00:03:19.759
Meanwhile, hospitals and other healthcare organizations that set up AI systems should be accountable for where and how the technology is put to work.
00:03:19.759 --> 00:03:28.800
The AMA framework said patients should have ways to seek accountability and appropriate remedies when harm occurs.
00:03:28.800 --> 00:03:39.199
And finally, the workforce shortage in pathology and laboratory medicine is especially acute among forensic pathologists.
00:03:39.199 --> 00:03:41.439
One estimate found that the U.S.
00:03:41.439 --> 00:03:46.319
needs to double its number of forensic pathologists to adequately cover the need.
00:03:46.639 --> 00:03:59.120
Dr. Tanner Bartholow is an associate professor of pathology and director of adult autopsy services at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and a member of the CAP Autopsy Committee.
00:03:59.120 --> 00:04:02.560
He calls the problem critical and getting worse.
00:04:03.039 --> 00:04:05.439
A shortage can lead to a worse shortage.
00:04:05.439 --> 00:04:11.439
Because if you have a shortage of individuals involved in a field, that means more work for each individual person in that field.
00:04:11.439 --> 00:04:16.480
When that workload exceeds a certain point, then those people might move on, and then that creates a shortage.
00:04:16.480 --> 00:04:24.959
And then when there's a shortage of people to do the work, there's also a shortage of people to teach and mentor, which then creates a lack of opportunities for new people to get arrested in the field.
00:04:24.959 --> 00:04:28.959
And then if you have enough shortages, well then can you have like a training program?
00:04:28.959 --> 00:04:29.920
And etc.
00:04:29.920 --> 00:04:30.394
What we want to avoid is basically ticking off all the boxes of all the possible types of lab tests that could present in a patient with slightly abnormal bleeding factors and or a suspected bleeding history.
00:04:30.394 --> 00:04:31.759
So the cycle sort of feeds itself.
00:04:32.079 --> 00:04:41.279
The problem, he said, is that many medical schools don't expose students to forensics, and pathology rotations don't emphasize autopsy work.
00:04:41.279 --> 00:04:46.079
In addition, salaries in the field tend to be lower than those of other specialties.
00:04:46.079 --> 00:04:46.879
Dr.
00:04:46.879 --> 00:04:52.560
Bartholow said the solution is for forensic pathologists to connect with students and trainees.
00:04:53.040 --> 00:05:05.680
It's my job to show up every day and try to give people the best educational experience and to provide the best care we can for our decedents and their families, and hopefully through that showing residents, you know, med students and trainees, that this is a great career path.
00:05:05.680 --> 00:05:06.800
It's very rewarding.
00:05:06.800 --> 00:05:18.399
It's a little bit different than the rest of pathology, but for the right person where their interest is sparked, and um they see a whole career unfold in front end.
00:05:47.759 --> 00:05:53.680
Emerging technologies, including AI, could help forensic pathologists get more done in less time.
00:05:53.680 --> 00:05:54.319
But Dr.
00:05:54.319 --> 00:05:57.600
Bartholow said human interaction can't be replaced.
00:05:57.600 --> 00:06:04.319
After all, a forensic pathologist is often the doctor who explains why families just lost a loved one.
00:06:04.720 --> 00:06:15.519
Being able to help to whatever extent we can provide to family closure, to answer their questions, etc., really is one of the most rewarding things because you're, you're a person doing that.
00:06:15.519 --> 00:06:21.839
You're a person putting all your effort into helping someone find answers, helping someone find closure.
00:06:21.839 --> 00:06:29.040
And and I feel like that that would be something that would be very hard to take the the personal connection out of.
00:06:30.639 --> 00:06:31.920
That's all for today.
00:06:31.920 --> 00:06:39.920
See the show notes for more information on today's stories, and spread the word about this podcast by sharing a link on social media.
00:06:39.920 --> 00:06:45.199
We'll be back Monday, November 9th with another edition of CAP News.
00:06:45.199 --> 00:06:46.560
I'm Nick Lanyi.
00:06:46.560 --> 00:06:48.720
Have a wonderful weekend.
00:00:02.560 --> 00:00:05.599
A big win on surgical pathology codes.
00:00:05.599 --> 00:00:13.359
It's that time again to check your MIPS scores and a look at the critical shortage of forensic pathologists.
00:00:13.359 --> 00:00:16.480
These stories and more coming up next.
00:00:16.480 --> 00:00:21.600
Welcome to CAP News.
00:00:21.600 --> 00:00:25.039
I'm Nick Lanyi with the College of American Pathologists.
00:00:25.039 --> 00:00:27.199
It's Friday, November 6th.
00:00:27.199 --> 00:00:31.199
Here's what's making news in pathology and laboratory medicine.
00:00:31.199 --> 00:00:46.719
In a major win for pathologists, surgical pathology codes will remain unchanged in the final 2027 Medicare Physician fee schedule released yesterday by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
00:00:46.719 --> 00:00:53.119
The proposed changes would have cut payment for some surgical pathology services by up to 90%.
00:00:53.119 --> 00:01:06.799
The CAP launched an advocacy campaign opposing the changes that included extensive formal comments, a grassroots letter writing campaign, and winning bipartisan congressional support.
00:01:06.799 --> 00:01:17.760
In its final rule, CMS said that after considering the public comments, it is neither re-valuing the codes nor finalizing any changes at this time.
00:01:17.760 --> 00:01:21.760
But surgical pathology codes could face changes down the road.
00:01:21.760 --> 00:01:39.280
Despite this important victory, Medicare reimbursements to pathologists are expected to fall by 2.3% in 2027 due to changes in the 2027 fee schedule and the expiration of payment relief under the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
00:01:39.280 --> 00:01:45.200
For details, see the CAP's impact table on the CAP website and in the show notes.
00:01:45.200 --> 00:01:54.400
CMS also released its final scores under the 2025 Merit-Based Incentive Payment System, or MIPS.
00:01:54.400 --> 00:02:04.799
These scores will determine Medicare payment adjustments in 2027 for practices that participate in CMS's Pathologist's Quality Registry.
00:02:04.799 --> 00:02:10.159
MIPS is a performance-based alternative to the regular Medicare rate system.
00:02:10.159 --> 00:02:15.360
Payments are based on the MIPS score, which measures quality of care and other factors.
00:02:15.360 --> 00:02:26.000
The CAP urges practices that participate in the Pathologist Quality Registry to review their final scores and payment adjustment information as soon as possible.
00:02:26.000 --> 00:02:36.240
If you believe CMS incorrectly calculated your final score or payment adjustment, you can request a targeted review through November 30th at 8 p.m.
00:02:36.240 --> 00:02:37.280
Eastern.
00:02:37.280 --> 00:02:49.280
The American Medical Association released a proposed framework on liability for AI systems used in clinical settings.
00:02:49.280 --> 00:02:56.479
This is part of the rollout of a broader framework for handling the growing role of artificial intelligence in medicine.
00:02:56.479 --> 00:03:10.319
When it comes to liability, the AMA said physicians should be accountable for the clinical judgments they exercise, while AI developers should be accountable for the systems they build and the risks they can control.
00:03:10.319 --> 00:03:19.759
Meanwhile, hospitals and other healthcare organizations that set up AI systems should be accountable for where and how the technology is put to work.
00:03:19.759 --> 00:03:28.800
The AMA framework said patients should have ways to seek accountability and appropriate remedies when harm occurs.
00:03:28.800 --> 00:03:39.199
And finally, the workforce shortage in pathology and laboratory medicine is especially acute among forensic pathologists.
00:03:39.199 --> 00:03:41.439
One estimate found that the U.S.
00:03:41.439 --> 00:03:46.319
needs to double its number of forensic pathologists to adequately cover the need.
00:03:46.639 --> 00:03:59.120
Dr. Tanner Bartholow is an associate professor of pathology and director of adult autopsy services at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and a member of the CAP Autopsy Committee.
00:03:59.120 --> 00:04:02.560
He calls the problem critical and getting worse.
00:04:03.039 --> 00:04:05.439
A shortage can lead to a worse shortage.
00:04:05.439 --> 00:04:11.439
Because if you have a shortage of individuals involved in a field, that means more work for each individual person in that field.
00:04:11.439 --> 00:04:16.480
When that workload exceeds a certain point, then those people might move on, and then that creates a shortage.
00:04:16.480 --> 00:04:24.959
And then when there's a shortage of people to do the work, there's also a shortage of people to teach and mentor, which then creates a lack of opportunities for new people to get arrested in the field.
00:04:24.959 --> 00:04:28.959
And then if you have enough shortages, well then can you have like a training program?
00:04:28.959 --> 00:04:29.920
And etc.
00:04:29.920 --> 00:04:30.394
What we want to avoid is basically ticking off all the boxes of all the possible types of lab tests that could present in a patient with slightly abnormal bleeding factors and or a suspected bleeding history.
00:04:30.394 --> 00:04:31.759
So the cycle sort of feeds itself.
00:04:32.079 --> 00:04:41.279
The problem, he said, is that many medical schools don't expose students to forensics, and pathology rotations don't emphasize autopsy work.
00:04:41.279 --> 00:04:46.079
In addition, salaries in the field tend to be lower than those of other specialties.
00:04:46.079 --> 00:04:46.879
Dr.
00:04:46.879 --> 00:04:52.560
Bartholow said the solution is for forensic pathologists to connect with students and trainees.
00:04:53.040 --> 00:05:05.680
It's my job to show up every day and try to give people the best educational experience and to provide the best care we can for our decedents and their families, and hopefully through that showing residents, you know, med students and trainees, that this is a great career path.
00:05:05.680 --> 00:05:06.800
It's very rewarding.
00:05:06.800 --> 00:05:18.399
It's a little bit different than the rest of pathology, but for the right person where their interest is sparked, and um they see a whole career unfold in front end.
00:05:47.759 --> 00:05:53.680
Emerging technologies, including AI, could help forensic pathologists get more done in less time.
00:05:53.680 --> 00:05:54.319
But Dr.
00:05:54.319 --> 00:05:57.600
Bartholow said human interaction can't be replaced.
00:05:57.600 --> 00:06:04.319
After all, a forensic pathologist is often the doctor who explains why families just lost a loved one.
00:06:04.720 --> 00:06:15.519
Being able to help to whatever extent we can provide to family closure, to answer their questions, etc., really is one of the most rewarding things because you're, you're a person doing that.
00:06:15.519 --> 00:06:21.839
You're a person putting all your effort into helping someone find answers, helping someone find closure.
00:06:21.839 --> 00:06:29.040
And and I feel like that that would be something that would be very hard to take the the personal connection out of.
00:06:30.639 --> 00:06:31.920
That's all for today.
00:06:31.920 --> 00:06:39.920
See the show notes for more information on today's stories, and spread the word about this podcast by sharing a link on social media.
00:06:39.920 --> 00:06:45.199
We'll be back Monday, November 9th with another edition of CAP News.
00:06:45.199 --> 00:06:46.560
I'm Nick Lanyi.
00:06:46.560 --> 00:06:48.720
Have a wonderful weekend.
