November 2022
Full Focus: Proposed Toxicology Reimbursement Changes and Trends - What You Need to Know for 2023

As toxicology labs continue to assess post-COVID trends and fallout, they must now prepare for new Medicare coverage determinations that could impact reimbursement in 2023. Amid these payer concerns and the ongoing opioid crisis, labs should be monitoring current trends for toxicology testing volume while exploring new opportunities for test menu expansion and growth.

Please join us at 12:00 p.m. EST, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022, as we welcome our expert panel to examine these issues and offer strategies to help your lab succeed as the toxicology landscape evolves. We will also cover:
 
  • Proposed LCD changes that will affect toxicology reimbursement.
  • Post-COVID sample volume trends. Have we seen a recent testing bounce?
  • The role of labs in the ongoing opioid crisis.
  • Alternative Proficiency Testing and Method Development.
Toxicology reimbursement changes webinar
LATEST NEWS
1. 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule: See Impact to Labs & Pathology

The 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule was released by CMS late Thursday, Nov 3. After two consecutive years of Congress delaying a number of anticipated reimbursement cuts due to the impact of the COVID pandemic, it now appears these previously planned cuts will go into effect barring any last-minute legislation to delay them further.
Medicare Physician Fee Schedule 2023 banner image
2. Announcing Lighthouse RCM Solutions

Lighthouse Lab Services recently got brighter and better equipped to offer revenue cycle management consulting and auditing for clinical laboratories.

As we continue to unify brands throughout our company, we’d like to reintroduce Vachette Pathology as Lighthouse RCM Solutions, the nation's leading RCM consulting service for labs and pathologists. The addition of RCM Solutions to our existing services further strengthens our position as the end-to-end solution for all clinical laboratory needs.

3. How Should the Shortage of Medical Lab Professionals be Addressed?

The shortage of medical laboratory scientists has been plaguing the industry for decades. In this second part of our interview with Claude Rector, President-Elect of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS), we discuss solutions for alleviating this issue, as well as the efforts ASCLS is making towards increasing their own membership numbers.
ASCLS President Claude Rector talks staffing with Lighthouse
RCM NEWS AND TIPS
1. BCBS Alabama Conducting Lab Overpayment Reviews

Lighthouse’s RCM Solutions Team was recently made aware that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama is conducting overpayment reviews for infectious disease testing that could result in takebacks for impacted clinical laboratories.

The message indicates the payer intends to audit claims for detecting infectious disease by nucleic acid due to it being an uncovered service dating back to November 2013.
BCBS takeback alert banner image
2. Anticipated Extension of COVID Public Health Emergency

The U.S. Covid public health emergency will remain in place past Jan. 11 after the federal government did not provide notification on Friday, Nov. 11, of any intent to lift the declaration, according to reporting from CNBC and others.

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra previously promised to give stakeholders 60 days' notice before lifting the emergency declaration so they can prepare for a return to normal operations. In October, HHS extended the public health emergency until Jan. 11. However, HHS has yet to formally announce another extension.
Deep Dive: Understanding Confirmatory Drug Testing
Understanding toxicology testing banner image
Before adding toxicology testing to your practice or lab to help serve the needs of your local community, it’s important to understand how a standard drug screening process plays out. From initial screening through confirmatory testing, check out the article below for a high-level breakdown of the steps a lab may take when working to confirm a positive sample.
UPCOMING CONFERENCES WE'RE ATTENDING
1. ASRA 21st Annual Pain Management Meeting


2. California Society of Pathologists Annual Meeting


3. Q1 Diagnostic Coverage & Reimbursement Conference
CLIA Lab Director Openings
This email is brought to you as a service from Lighthouse Lab Services to provide quality and timely information that can improve your laboratory operations. We strive to maintain our position as the country’s premiere lab consulting firm and support your success.
The Lab Insighter is a monthly publication for Lab Owners and Decision Makers.