Medicare Compliance & Reimbursement

...though there are some restrictions on directors with certain diagnostic specialties.

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.