WEBVTT
00:00:01.840 --> 00:00:06.879
The federal government issues its final rule on new healthcare IT products.
00:00:06.879 --> 00:00:12.080
The new chair of the CAP's Economic Affairs Committee describes its work.
00:00:12.080 --> 00:00:15.599
And some spooky stuff from the world of pathology.
00:00:15.599 --> 00:00:16.640
Oooooh.
00:00:16.640 --> 00:00:20.480
These stories and more coming up next.
00:00:20.480 --> 00:00:23.199
Welcome to CAP News.
00:00:23.199 --> 00:00:26.800
I'm Nick Lanyi with the College of American Pathologists.
00:00:26.800 --> 00:00:29.039
It's Friday, October 30th.
00:00:29.039 --> 00:00:33.039
Here's what's making news in pathology and laboratory medicine.
00:00:33.039 --> 00:00:41.679
The federal government this week released new rules that make it easier for healthcare IT companies to get their products to market.
00:00:41.679 --> 00:00:50.320
The so-called HTI-5 final rule was issued by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.
00:00:50.320 --> 00:00:56.240
The rule reduces the number of requirements for companies to achieve federal certification.
00:00:56.240 --> 00:01:11.920
While the CAP supported updating some of these requirements, the final rule eliminated some that the CAP supported, notably requiring IT companies to disclose information about the data and training used to create their models.
00:01:11.920 --> 00:01:19.599
The CAP argues that transparency helps pathologists decide how to use a software or AI product safely.
00:01:19.599 --> 00:01:33.120
Before the end of the year, Congress will consider healthcare bills affecting Medicare reimbursement, the physician workforce shortage, prior authorization of laboratory tests, and more.
00:01:33.120 --> 00:01:42.000
Those are all reasons why all members should sign up for the CAP's virtual Hill Day on Wednesday, November eighteenth.
00:01:42.000 --> 00:01:47.120
Members will meet online with congressional representatives and their staffs that day.
00:01:47.120 --> 00:01:50.079
No advocacy experience is required.
00:01:50.079 --> 00:01:56.400
Meetings are less than 30 minutes long, and the CAP will handle the scheduling and provide talking points.
00:01:56.400 --> 00:02:02.079
Go to the CAP website's advocacy page for more information and to register.
00:02:02.079 --> 00:02:17.840
Speaking of advocacy issues, many of the biggest ones right now are on the agenda of the CAP's Economic Affairs Committee.
00:02:17.840 --> 00:02:29.599
The committee reads the paragraphs, subparagraphs, and subsubparagraphs of reimbursement policies by Medicare and private insurers, and it examines the metrics used to determine payments.
00:02:29.599 --> 00:02:36.719
The work may sound dry, and it is, but it's at the heart of how pathologists and laboratories get paid.
00:02:36.719 --> 00:02:38.639
The committee's new chair is Dr.
00:02:38.639 --> 00:02:40.080
Theresa Emory.
00:02:40.080 --> 00:02:43.919
Here she is describing two of the most important concepts.
00:02:44.020 --> 00:02:44.020
CPT stands for Current Procedural Terminology.
00:02:44.020 --> 00:02:47.280
These are the codes used to describe and report medical services. The RUC is an American Medical Association committee that recommends to Medicare the physician work and practice resources required to provide those services.
00:02:43.930 --> 00:02:50.879
The committee works to inform and influence that process.
00:02:56.319 --> 00:02:56.719
So every service we report has a code describing it, and how that service is described in value affects the resources available to us to provide care. For example, interpreting a biopsy may involve reviewing clinical information, comparing previous specimens, selecting additional studies, and discussing findings with a treating physician. The work can vary considerably, even among cases reported under the same code. And we pathologists need to be able to explain that work clearly to people outside of our specialty and support our assessments with accurate information.
00:02:56.330 --> 00:02:58.479
How can CAP members help?
00:02:58.479 --> 00:03:03.520
First and foremost, participate thoughtfully if you receive a survey from the CAP. Also, share specific examples of coding or insurance problems affecting patient care. And respond to advocacy opportunities. You do not need to be a policy expert to offer valuable insight. You understand the work you perform and what your patients need.
00:03:03.210 --> 00:03:10.879
And finally, it's the day before the year's scariest holiday, and that means you still have time to prepare, pathology style.
00:03:10.879 --> 00:03:17.919
Immerse yourself in creepy crawlies with the CAP's new Arthropod Benchtop Reference Guide, 2nd edition.
00:03:17.919 --> 00:03:28.800
Or do a deep dive among the many microorganisms with monster names, like vampirococcus, a predatory bacteria that sucks the life out of its victims.
00:03:28.800 --> 00:03:30.960
Or listen to ghost stories from Dr.
00:03:30.960 --> 00:03:35.520
Kendall Crowns, Chief Medical Examiner of Tarrant County, Texas.
00:03:35.520 --> 00:03:45.680
He devoted an episode of his Mayhem in the Morgue podcast to such characters as the Lady in Red, a spectral figure that haunts hospitals.
00:03:45.680 --> 00:03:51.039
However, you choose to celebrate, have a happy and safe Halloween.
00:03:51.039 --> 00:03:54.080
Well, that's all for today.
00:03:54.080 --> 00:03:57.919
See the show notes for more information on today's stories.
00:03:57.919 --> 00:04:02.719
And spread the word about the podcast by sharing a link on social media.
00:04:02.719 --> 00:04:08.000
We'll be back Monday, November 2nd with another edition of CAP News.
00:04:08.000 --> 00:04:09.840
I'm Nick Lanyi.
00:04:09.840 --> 00:04:11.360
Have a wonderful weekend.
00:00:01.840 --> 00:00:06.879
The federal government issues its final rule on new healthcare IT products.
00:00:06.879 --> 00:00:12.080
The new chair of the CAP's Economic Affairs Committee describes its work.
00:00:12.080 --> 00:00:15.599
And some spooky stuff from the world of pathology.
00:00:15.599 --> 00:00:16.640
Oooooh.
00:00:16.640 --> 00:00:20.480
These stories and more coming up next.
00:00:20.480 --> 00:00:23.199
Welcome to CAP News.
00:00:23.199 --> 00:00:26.800
I'm Nick Lanyi with the College of American Pathologists.
00:00:26.800 --> 00:00:29.039
It's Friday, October 30th.
00:00:29.039 --> 00:00:33.039
Here's what's making news in pathology and laboratory medicine.
00:00:33.039 --> 00:00:41.679
The federal government this week released new rules that make it easier for healthcare IT companies to get their products to market.
00:00:41.679 --> 00:00:50.320
The so-called HTI-5 final rule was issued by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.
00:00:50.320 --> 00:00:56.240
The rule reduces the number of requirements for companies to achieve federal certification.
00:00:56.240 --> 00:01:11.920
While the CAP supported updating some of these requirements, the final rule eliminated some that the CAP supported, notably requiring IT companies to disclose information about the data and training used to create their models.
00:01:11.920 --> 00:01:19.599
The CAP argues that transparency helps pathologists decide how to use a software or AI product safely.
00:01:19.599 --> 00:01:33.120
Before the end of the year, Congress will consider healthcare bills affecting Medicare reimbursement, the physician workforce shortage, prior authorization of laboratory tests, and more.
00:01:33.120 --> 00:01:42.000
Those are all reasons why all members should sign up for the CAP's virtual Hill Day on Wednesday, November eighteenth.
00:01:42.000 --> 00:01:47.120
Members will meet online with congressional representatives and their staffs that day.
00:01:47.120 --> 00:01:50.079
No advocacy experience is required.
00:01:50.079 --> 00:01:56.400
Meetings are less than 30 minutes long, and the CAP will handle the scheduling and provide talking points.
00:01:56.400 --> 00:02:02.079
Go to the CAP website's advocacy page for more information and to register.
00:02:02.079 --> 00:02:17.840
Speaking of advocacy issues, many of the biggest ones right now are on the agenda of the CAP's Economic Affairs Committee.
00:02:17.840 --> 00:02:29.599
The committee reads the paragraphs, subparagraphs, and subsubparagraphs of reimbursement policies by Medicare and private insurers, and it examines the metrics used to determine payments.
00:02:29.599 --> 00:02:36.719
The work may sound dry, and it is, but it's at the heart of how pathologists and laboratories get paid.
00:02:36.719 --> 00:02:38.639
The committee's new chair is Dr.
00:02:38.639 --> 00:02:40.080
Theresa Emory.
00:02:40.080 --> 00:02:43.919
Here she is describing two of the most important concepts.
00:02:44.020 --> 00:02:44.020
CPT stands for Current Procedural Terminology.
00:02:44.020 --> 00:02:47.280
These are the codes used to describe and report medical services. The RUC is an American Medical Association committee that recommends to Medicare the physician work and practice resources required to provide those services.
00:02:43.930 --> 00:02:50.879
The committee works to inform and influence that process.
00:02:56.319 --> 00:02:56.719
So every service we report has a code describing it, and how that service is described in value affects the resources available to us to provide care. For example, interpreting a biopsy may involve reviewing clinical information, comparing previous specimens, selecting additional studies, and discussing findings with a treating physician. The work can vary considerably, even among cases reported under the same code. And we pathologists need to be able to explain that work clearly to people outside of our specialty and support our assessments with accurate information.
00:02:56.330 --> 00:02:58.479
How can CAP members help?
00:02:58.479 --> 00:03:03.520
First and foremost, participate thoughtfully if you receive a survey from the CAP. Also, share specific examples of coding or insurance problems affecting patient care. And respond to advocacy opportunities. You do not need to be a policy expert to offer valuable insight. You understand the work you perform and what your patients need.
00:03:03.210 --> 00:03:10.879
And finally, it's the day before the year's scariest holiday, and that means you still have time to prepare, pathology style.
00:03:10.879 --> 00:03:17.919
Immerse yourself in creepy crawlies with the CAP's new Arthropod Benchtop Reference Guide, 2nd edition.
00:03:17.919 --> 00:03:28.800
Or do a deep dive among the many microorganisms with monster names, like vampirococcus, a predatory bacteria that sucks the life out of its victims.
00:03:28.800 --> 00:03:30.960
Or listen to ghost stories from Dr.
00:03:30.960 --> 00:03:35.520
Kendall Crowns, Chief Medical Examiner of Tarrant County, Texas.
00:03:35.520 --> 00:03:45.680
He devoted an episode of his Mayhem in the Morgue podcast to such characters as the Lady in Red, a spectral figure that haunts hospitals.
00:03:45.680 --> 00:03:51.039
However, you choose to celebrate, have a happy and safe Halloween.
00:03:51.039 --> 00:03:54.080
Well, that's all for today.
00:03:54.080 --> 00:03:57.919
See the show notes for more information on today's stories.
00:03:57.919 --> 00:04:02.719
And spread the word about the podcast by sharing a link on social media.
00:04:02.719 --> 00:04:08.000
We'll be back Monday, November 2nd with another edition of CAP News.
00:04:08.000 --> 00:04:09.840
I'm Nick Lanyi.
00:04:09.840 --> 00:04:11.360
Have a wonderful weekend.
