Medicare Compliance & Reimbursement
Now See This--Optometrists Can Be Lab Directors
The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments may allow an individual with a Doctor of Optometry degree to be a laboratory director--but a laboratory could need to limit the person's authority.
Reason: Optometrists can qualify as directors of moderate complexity laboratories--"but only for test procedures performed in their specialty area," the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services wrote in a recent letter to state survey agency directors. CMS requires optometrists to obtain 20 continuing medical education credits in laboratory practice to qualify as laboratory directors "performing moderate complexity procedures that are not within their specialty area," the agency says.
"Ophthalmologists with a doctor of medicine degree are qualified to direct moderate complexity laboratories, provided they have had at least one year of experience directing or supervising moderate complexity laboratories, or have obtained at least 20 CMEs in laboratory practice," CMS notes.
Find it online: To read the letter, go to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medicaid/survey-cert/sc0544.pdf.
Medicare Compliance & Reimbursement
- PHYSICIANS:
Gainsharing Allows Physician Pay For Cutting Costs
...but there is a fine line between a legit payout and a kickback.
Physicians could be [...] - PHYSICIANS:
CMS Launches Demo Directed At FFS Benes
Project covers a wide range of fee-for-service patients.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services wants [...] - MEDICAID:
Survey--Fixing 'Patchwork' Coverage System A Priority
Respondents say Medicaid, SCHIP have played vital roles in keeping underprivileged covered.
As the federal government [...] - PHARMACEUTICALS:
HHS Reports Drug Payouts Are More Than Adequate
ASP info does not portend higher future pay rates.
No matter how providers protest that payments for [...] - PHARMACEUTICALS:
Study Supports Medicare Part E Implementation
'Medicare Extra' proponents pushing for $250 per-person deductible.
As Medicare beneficiaries and health care consumer organizations [...] - REHAB:
New PMD Rule Could Pose Rehab Provider Problems
Recent reg does not mention rehab providers, but it still affects them.
Rehab providers that haven't [...] - LABS:
Now See This--Optometrists Can Be Lab Directors
...though there are some restrictions on directors with certain diagnostic specialties.
The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments [...] - HOSPITALS:
Avoid IPPS Incidents By Asking Questions
Hospitals must know if doctor prescribed aspirin to heart attack patients.
August's inpatient prospective payment system [...] - HOSPITALS:
Facility Incentive Pay May Tie Into Infection Protection
Hospitals that want SCIP money must agree to 20 measures.
In September, the Centers for Medicare [...] - ENFORECEMENT WATCH:
OIG Keeping A Hawk's Eye on Disaster Funds
Providers that mismanage funding could lose deserved money.
Relaxed regulations in Hurricane Katrina's aftermath may make [...] - PHYSICIANS:
Feds Moving Toward Reduced Medical Review Period
Want off medical review? Do not argue with auditors.
Carriers can still drive physicians nuts with [...] - BILL WATCH
The following bills were introduced in the Senate:
S. 1808. A bill to amend title XIX [...]
