ASM Addresses Palmetto Lab Testing Reimbursement

July 17, 2017

ASM has joined other societies with expertise in diagnostic testing in a letter addressing the Palmetto Draft Local Coverage Determination of Panels Identified by Multiplex Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs). Palmetto, a contractor in the Southeast U.S. for the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services, has indicated that it will not reimburse syndromic panels for identification of respiratory and gastrointestinal pathogens. ASM and co-signers indicate clear uses of these panels in improving patient care in the letters, submitted on July 20.

As of Nov. 10, 2017, the Medicare Administrative Contractors have not finalized its draft LCDs for respiratory and GI multiplex panel tests. ASM will continue to monitor.