CAP Calls on CMS to Fix Remote Work Rules for Pathologists; Congress Asked to Intervene
The CAP has aggressively urged the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to allow pathologists and laboratory personnel to work remotely during the COVID-19 national emergency. Also, the CAP has engaged with Congress to support our request to remove such impediments to laboratory operations during the pandemic temporarily.
On March 20, the CAP sent formal letters urging top leaders in Congress to require the administration to fix the remote work rules. Letters were sent to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), and Steve Scalise (R-LA). The CAP hopes language could be adopted in supplemental legislation currently being debated in Congress.
The CAP supports the waiver from CLIA rules mandating pathologists to be on-site to review and diagnose their cases to protect the laboratory workforce. Given the relaxation of federal telehealth restrictions on other health professionals, the CAP has said it is critical that pathologists be given the discretion to work remotely. In addition, the CAP states that all laboratories should be given the discretion to determine what is best for their staff in managing this pandemic.
While the CAP made its case for the waiver, others have joined our effort. They include the American Hospital Association, American Medical Association, American Clinical Laboratory Association, Association of Pathology Chairs, and American Society of Clinical Pathology joining our cause. The CAP has also activated its grassroots network PathNet with CAP President Patrick Godbey, MD, FCAP, encouraging all CAP members to send messages to Capitol Hill and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Source: College of American Pathologists
