PRESS RELEASE
The Dark Report
21806 Briarcliff Dr.
Spicewood, Texas 78669
512-264-7103 o
512-264-0969 f
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Ron Martin
rbmartin@darkreport.com
AUSTIN, Texas (December 7, 2011) – Medicare carrier Palmetto GBA is proposing new processes that govern how it will handle code stack claims for molecular diagnostic tests (MDT) and laboratory-developed tests (LDT) in the J1 region, to become effective on February 27, 2012. This marks the first known effort by a payer to address specific problems caused when laboratories submit code stacked claims for genetic tests and molecular diagnostics assays.
These important developments will be covered in a special audio conference to be conducted on Tuesday, December 20, 2012, by The Dark Report. Featured speakers from Palmetto GBA are: Elaine Jeter, M.D., Medical Director; and Mike Barlow, Vice President. Jeter and Barlow will discuss five important subjects:
- Why the use of code stacks in claims for genetic and molecular tests creates issues for payers.
- How the two proposed local coverage determinations (LCD) will address the most important issues triggered by code stacking.
- Introduce labs to the Molecular Diagnostic Services Program (MolDx) and how a molecular test registry will be used in the MolDx program.
- Describe the steps involved in using the MolDx registry, which includes each lab to register each of its MDTs and LDTs to obtain a Z-Code for each assay, and how labs should next submit the clinical and scientific material in support of each assay that will be used to make a coverage determination of that test.
- What will take place in order for the coverage determination to be made for each assay with a Z-Code.
- How code stacked claims for genetic and molecular tests from the J1 region will be handled prior to February 27, 2012, and after that date.
This audio conference is an open public forum which allows every laboratory professional to hear these presentations and participate in the question and answer session that follows. It is also an opportunity for lab consultants and experts in genetic and molecular testing to hear, first-hand, the details behind the two proposed LCDs and MolDx, the proposed Molecular Diagnostic Services Program.
This high-value, low-cost 90-minute audio conference is of critical interest to laboratories performing molecular diagnostic tests and lab-developed tests. As noted above, Palmetto GBA executives will directly address the issues of concern to laboratory leaders to be caused by the growing number of code-stacked claims. In addition, the executives will answer specific questions from the audience during a phone Q&A. Media representatives who would like to listen to this audio conference should email Ron Martin at: rbmartin@darkreport.com.
THE DARK REPORT invites you to participate in this important and timely new audio conference. For more information or to register, call toll-free: 800-560-6363.
For additional information, Contact: Ron Martin, 512-264-7103
About The Dark Report
Established in 1995, The Dark Report is the leading source of exclusive business intelligence for laboratory CEOs, COOs, CFOs, Pathologists and Senior industry executives. It is widely-read by leaders in laboratory medicine and diagnostics. The Dark Report produces the famous Executive War College on Laboratory and Pathology Management every spring, which showcases innovations by the nation’s and globe’s leading laboratory organizations. Dark Daily is an Internet-based e-briefing intelligence service, read worldwide by thought leaders in laboratory and pathology management. Other well-known conferences conducted by The Dark Report are Lab Quality Confab (on the use of Lean and Six Sigma methods in labs and hospitals), Molecular Summit (on the integration of in vivo and in vitro diagnostics). The Dark Report co-produces Frontiers in Laboratory Medicine annually in the United Kingdom; Executive Edge bi-annually in Canada; and The Business of Pathology bi-annually in Australia.
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