HCFA drops plan to pay less for lab tests - for now

Article Abstract:

The US Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) has dropped a plan to pay less for some simple medical tests conducted at physician office laboratories, but may return with a similar plan. Federal law classifies tests into three categories of increasing complexity: waived, moderate, and highly complex. The HCFA had proposed to begin paying less for tests in the waived category as of Oct. 1, 1996. Healthcare industry groups had criticized the plan as unfair, and possibly a violation of federal law.

Administration of Public Health Programs, Health Care Services, Health care industry, Medical care

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Physicians irked by CLIA's early lab inspection bills

Article Abstract:

Physicians are angry over year-in-advance bills they are receiving for federal inspections, under the CLIA program, of their laboratories. American Society of Internal Medicine executive VP Alan R. Nelson said that the organization does not feel that physicians should bear the burden of CLIA's financial troubles. A regular CLIA billing cycle will begin Mar 1, 1996, according to the Health Care Financing Administration.

Offices & clinics of medical doctors, Physicians & Surgeons, Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists), Management, Physicians, Medical professions

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What to expect when lab inspector knocks

Article Abstract:

The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) regulate medical laboratories, but as yet no inspections have taken place. The Commission on Office Laboratory Accreditation, a nonprofit group that has conducted inspections for three years, has applied for authority to operate under CLIA. An inspection of the Pratt Medical Center laboratory in Fredericksburg, VA, is described.

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