News
TELCOR is excited to share industry news and updates with our stakeholders across the country.
Update on DEX® Z-Codes® for molecular pathology tests
On July 20, 2023, United Healthcare (UHC) announced they will begin enforcing Z-Code requirements starting October 1, 2023, rather than its initial date of August 1. Because of the amount [...]
HHS Issues First Report to Congress on Impact of No Surprises Act
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services submitted the first report to Congress on the impact of the No Surprises Act (NSA). The report, dated July 6, is the [...]
Biden Administration Issues Tri-Agency Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Restrict Short-Term Limited-Duration Insurance Plans
On July 7, the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury announced the Biden administration's notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on short-term, limited-duration insurance (STLDI) and fixed indemnity insurance. [...]
The CAP Opposes Optum Laboratory Benefit Management Program
Private insurer Optum issued a laboratory benefit management program that imposes limits on the number of CPT code 88305 units that will be reimbursed by specimen type. The program will [...]
FDA Files Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for LDT Oversight
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on June 14 filed a notice of proposed rulemaking with the White House Office for Management and Budget (OMB) regarding the oversight of laboratory-developed [...]
UHC Changing Requirements for Molecular Diagnostic Test Claims
UnitedHealthcare (UHC) is making changes to how it will process claims for molecular diagnostic tests (MDT). Effective Aug. 1, UHC commercial plans will require providers to submit DEX Z-codes along [...]
CAP Opposes Provisions of the PATIENT Act
The College of American Pathologists (CAP) expressed opposition to the Promoting Access to Treatments and Increasing Extremely Needed Transparency, or PATIENT Act (H.R. 3561), to institute site-neutral Medicare payment cuts [...]
Bill Introduced to U.S. House Intended to Increase Price Transparency of Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Tests
On May 11, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, introduced the Diagnostic Lab Testing Transparency Act (H.R. 3248) as part of a package of 11 bills to increase transparency in health care. [...]
Advocacy for Passage of SALSA Act Continues
On May 22, the American Hospital Association (AHA) wrote a letter to Congress urging passage of the Saving Access to Laboratory Services Act (SALSA; H.R. 1835/S.1000). This bill would update [...]
CMS Provides Guidance on CLIA Enforcement Discretion Post-PHE
Following the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) on May 11, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published guidance clarifying the agency’s enforcement discretion for Clinical [...]