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National Independent Laboratory Association |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
| AAB Signs Coalition Letter Opposing CMS Proposal to Require Physician Signature on Requisitions |
Mark S. Birenbaum, PhD
Administrator
Phone: (314)241-1445
Fax: (314)241-1449
E-mail: nila@nila-usa.com
Web: www.nila-usa.com
Ten Major Laboratory Organizations Oppose CMS Proposal to
Require Physician Signatures on Requisitions
August 26, 2010, Washington, D.C. – Ten major laboratory associations, members of the Clinical Laboratory Coalition (CLC), and the American Hospital Association (AHA) have signed a letter to Dr. Donald Berwick, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, voicing opposition to a CMS proposal to require a physician’s, or qualified non-physician practitioner’s (NPP’s), signature on requisitions for clinical diagnostic laboratory tests paid through Medicare’s Part B clinical laboratory fee schedule.
The justification given by CMS for this change in policy is to create a less confusing process that would eliminate any uncertainty over whether a document is a requisition or an order, as signatures would be required on both. The clinical laboratory community feels strongly that requiring a physician’s signature on all requisitions for clinical diagnostic laboratory tests is not an effective solution and will only lead to further confusion, a complicated and unnecessary administrative process, and potential harm to patients forced to wait too long for laboratory tests.
The decision that a physician’s signature was not the only permissible way to document the ordering of a test came as a result of the November 23, 2001, final rule after a negotiated rulemaking session involving 18 laboratory and health care organizations, including the American Medical Association (AMA) and CMS. Changing this policy solely on the basis of establishing "a less confusing process" is not enough of a reason to do so. The confusion that exists regarding the difference between "order" and "requisition" is, in part, the result of confusing language in CMS manuals, and can be cleared up without adding the extra and repetitive step of requiring a physician signature on all requisitions.
CLC members signing the letter include the:
American Association of Bioanalysts
American Association for Clinical Chemistry
American Clinical Laboratory Association
American Medical Technologists
American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
American Society for Clinical Pathology
American Society for Microbiology
Clinical Laboratory Management Association
College of American Pathologists
National Independent Laboratory Association
The American Hospital Association (AHA) also signed the letter, along with two large independent clinical laboratories (see letter attached).
The National Independent Laboratory Association (NILA) is a trade association for clinical laboratories that provides a forum for the sharing of technical and business expertise. NILA focuses on business/management issues facing laboratories, such as marketing/sales, contracting with managed care companies, finding and keeping good employees, financial management, expanding test menus, managing growth, competing with big, publicly traded laboratories, and acting on legislative and regulatory issues facing the laboratory industry.
The American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB), founded in 1956, is a professional association representing bioanalysts (clinical laboratory directors, owners, managers and supervisors), medical technologists, medical laboratory technicians, and physician office laboratory technicians. AAB is committed to the pursuit of excellence in clinical laboratory testing by enhancing the professional skills of each of its members; promoting more efficient and productive operations; and representing the interests of its members. AAB’s specialized membership sections include the AAB Associate Member Section (AMS), College of Reproductive Biology (CRB), Environmental Biology and Public Health (EBPH) Section, and the National Independent Laboratory Association (NILA). AAB provides a broad range of services, including representation before federal and state legislative and regulatory agencies, educational programs and publications. AAB’s Proficiency Testing Service is approved under the federal CLIA regulations and is one of the largest PT providers in the United States.
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