This is a very serious issue for clinical cytometry in the U.S. The Clinical Cytometry Society through it's regulatory committee will be looking into this proposal and be making a strong comment in writing and likely will offer to meet personally with the Medical Director for the Medicare carrier in California. As chair of that CCS committee and past president of CCS, I welcome thoughts, ideas, and arguments to combat this proposal to limit reimbursement for flow cytometry (and immunohistochemistry) in California. I also will attempt to enlist the assistance of the International Society for Laboratory Hematology, College of American Pathologists and the American Society for Clinical Pathology to work with CCS in assisting California in developing a more informed policy. Thanks to Dr. Hiti for this "heads up" Regards, Bruce H. Davis, M.D. Maine Medical Center Research Institute 81 Research Drive Scarborough, Maine 04074 USA PHONE: 207-885-8113 FAX: 207-885-8110 Email: davisb@mmc.org >>> "Alan L. Hiti, Ph.D., M.D." <ahiti@usc.edu> 07/16/02 07:04PM >>> I was just made aware of the National Heritage Insurance Company proposed LMRP for Flow Cytometry and Immunocytochemistry for Cancer Diagnoses and Prognoses for California Health Professionals regarding Medicare coverage. The proposal is to normally reimburse for a maximum of 16 flow cytometry studies and/or a maximum of 7 immunocytochemical studies without additional submitted documentation of medical necessity. I thought that others may want to take advantage of the comment period from 7/17/02 to 8/31/02. Information can be found at the following link: http://www.medicarenhic.com/lmrp/draft/ca/flowcyto_drftlmrp.htm Thanks. Alan L. Hiti, Ph.D., M.D. Associate Professor, Pathology Department USC Keck School of Medicine Director, USC Clinical Laboratories Director, Flow Cytometry Section Clinical Sciences Center, Room 108 2250 E. Alcazar St. Los Angeles, CA 90033-4523 Tel. (323) 442-3465 FAX (323) 442-2990 email ahiti@usc.edu
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