UPDATE

January 31, 2017

 

DHCS Issues Policy Change on Pathologist Review of Surgical Specimens

We became aware of a notice sent to all hospitals by DHCS in June of 2016 that recalled a number of program flexibility notices on several regulations. One of the regulations impacted was  Title 22 section 70223 ( g) . That regulation states;
 
(g) all anatomical parts, tissues, and foreign objects removed by operation shall be delivered to a pathologist designated by the hospital and a report of his findings shall be filed in the patient's medical record.
 
A letter was issued by DHCS in 1985 that allowed hospital medical staff's to adopt modified policy allowing for direct disposal of certain surgical specimens without pathologist examination that included bone fragments , foreign bodies and other specimens.
 
The impact of this new notice is that all tissues and objects removed during surgery must be sent for pathologist review  with no exceptions. A hospital can request regulatory flexibility by contacting their CDPH district by submitting a written request with evidence to substantiate their request . We have attached a copy of the All Facilities Notice and suggest that you this issue with hospital administration and your medical staff.

"Navigating MACRA /MIPS and the Future of Value Based Payments" Webinar

Tues., February 21, 2017
12 Noon - 1pm PST
Presenter: Mick Raich, President / CEO of Vachette Pathology and Stark Medical Auditing

Description: 
This webinar will talk about the current healthcare marketing place, the reasoning why we are moving to a value payment. It will have a detailed look on both MIPS and PAMA and will tell each practice exactly what they need to do to prevent getting penalized by Medicare for failing to meet the value metrics. 

Cost:
Members - free as a benefit for joining CSP
Nonmembers and everyone else - $49
A webinar link will be distributed once registration is complete.

Registration Questions? 
Contact Lauren Stoddard at  LStoddard@amgroup.us or (916) 446-6001

 

California Society of Pathologists
One Capitol Mall Suite 800
Sacramento, CA 95814 
Tel : 916-446-6001
Fax :  916-444-7462