WASHINGTON — The College of American Pathologists (CAP) President Patrick Godbey, MD, FCAP issued the following statement following the release of the final 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule on December 1:
"The CAP strongly objects to the 9% Medicare cuts to pathologists, which the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published in the final 2021 Physician Fee Schedule and urges Congress to act quickly to stop these cuts prior to their scheduled January 1 implementation. Due to the ongoing public health emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is especially important Congress take steps to alleviate the CMS’s looming 2021 payment reductions to all non-evaluation and management (E/M) services.
"Pathologists are integrally involved in direct mitigation of the COVID-19 crisis including testing for accurate and timely diagnosis, as well as work on potential cures. Now more than ever patients and their treating physicians are relying on the expertise of pathologists. Pathologists and the services they provide, including ensuring laboratory quality in communities across the United States, are at the foundation of our health care system. We cannot allow this foundation to erode any further.
"Currently, a bipartisan House bill, the Holding Providers Harmless from Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act of 2020, has 50 sponsors and counting as a bipartisan group of lawmakers from across the country support stopping these cuts from taking effect. The CAP urges Congress to pass legislation to stop these devastating Medicare cuts before Congress adjourns for the year."
About the College of American Pathologists
As the world’s largest organization of board-certified pathologists and leading provider of laboratory accreditation and proficiency testing programs, the College of American Pathologists (CAP) serves patients, pathologists, and the public by fostering and advocating excellence in the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine worldwide. As a 501(c)(6) membership organization, the CAP is the only entity representing pathologists with unrestricted advocacy capability and a political action committee, PathPAC. For more information, visit yourpathologist.org to watch pathologists at work and see the stories of the patients who trust them with their care. Read the CAP Annual Report.