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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Pathology Societies Urge CMS to Reinstate Remote Digital Cytology Review, Citing Patient Safety and Access Concerns Hermitage, PA — November 21, 2025 — The Association for Pathology Informatics (API), in partnership with the Association for Academic Pathology (AAPath), the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), the American Society of Cytopathology (ASC), ARUP Laboratories, Inc., the Diagnostic Medicine Consortium (DMC), the Digital Pathology Association (DPA), and Project Santa Fe, has submitted a jointly signed letter urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to reconsider its recent memorandum rescinding enforcement discretion for remote review of digital cytology images. In the letter, the organizations emphasize that remote digital cytology is now a well-established, clinically validated capability, not an experimental or future-facing concept. Its removal would have far-reaching consequences for patient care, diagnostic timeliness, and access to cytopathology expertise. “Restricting this flexibility would disproportionately harm rural and underserved communities that depend on remote cytology services for timely cancer screening and diagnosis." said API President, Lisa-Jean Clifford. "In the face of a growing shortage of pathologists and cytotechnologists, secure remote review is not a luxury—it is vital to preserving equitable access to quality laboratory medicine.” The societies warn that eliminating remote review will disproportionately affect laboratories serving rural, underserved, and low-volume regions, where digital cytology has expanded access to timely diagnostic consultation. They also note that modern cytology workflows increasingly rely on digital platforms to support staffing flexibility, subspecialty access, quality assurance, and the evolving needs of the laboratory workforce. The group urges CMS to reinstate enforcement discretion while working collaboratively with pathology and laboratory medicine stakeholders to update CLIA guidance in a manner that reflects current technology, validated digital workflows, and the realities of contemporary laboratory practice. The full signed letter can be viewed on the API Website HERE. API extends its appreciation to Lisa-Jean Clifford for her initiative and leadership in coordinating this letter, and to S. Joseph Sirintrapun for his efforts in drafting and assisting with its development. For more information on the CMS memorandum and existing responses from the field, see: Media Contact: |