Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Waiving deductible may increase usage. If your lab performs certain screening tests for Medicare beneficiaries, such as Pap tests or some colorectal cancer fecal assays, changes in the 2011 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Final Rule might boost demand for your work. The 2011 PFS will "eliminate out-of-pocket costs for most preventive services beginning January 1, 2011, reducing barriers to access for many beneficiaries," according to CMS administrator Donald Berwick, MD. Patients No Longer Pay For Some Tests The 2011 PFS expands Medicare coverage to encourage the use of "preventive services," in accordance with Congressionalmandate. Among other things, "Congress removes some of the Part B cost-sharing obligations to encourage patients to obtain certain of these services," the PFS states. For certain lab services, that means patients will no longer be required to pay any deductible amount, beginning Jan. 1. The following lab tests move from 2010 payment status of "coinsurance applies [...]