Since 1995, Reliable Business Intelligence for Clinical Laboratories, Pathology Groups and Laboratory Diagnostics

March 1997

Another Portent Of Change

Commentary and Opinion by R. Lewis Dark / By R. Lewis Dark

How many laboratory executives and pathologists consider themselves futurists? Probably not many, because healthcare’s traditional fee-for-service arrangements provided little financial incentive to alter the status quo. Yet I would argue that the radical restructuring of healthcare currently underway demands that laboratory executives acquire the talent for anticipating the future. In 1992, how many laboratory executives …

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Florida Medicare Carrier Raises Kickback Issues

Laboratory Compliance / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: When Florida’s Medicare carrier published a notice which defined certain pathology practices to be possible violations of anti-kickback laws, it created uncertainty for labs. DIANON took immediate steps to insure compliance while seeking clarification from regulators on this issue. Developments in Florida signal that regulators may be preparing to target laboratories for more …

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Meditech & LabSoft Top 1996 LIS Sales Rankings

Laboratory Information Systems / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Turnover and turmoil are the big news in the LIS field. Hospitals and commercial laboratories are upgrading or replacing their existing LIS software at a rapid pace. Meanwhile, mergers and consolidations within the LIS industry create new power players. LIS conversion projects continue to be difficult, expensive and time-consuming. Market leaders Meditech and …

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New Features Slated For Lab Information Systems

Laboratory Information Systems / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Two processes are transforming healthcare: managed care and quality management. Laboratory information systems must incorporate radically new features if they are to support changes to clinical laboratory operations. This makes it imperative that laboratory executives select an effective laboratory information system. PARALLEL DEVELOPMENTS in the healthcare marketplace are shaping the design and function …

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Questions, Answers & Viewpoints

Laboratory Automation / By Robert Michel

Dear Editor: The story in your February 17 issue about laboratory automation as viewed by an industrial engineer was fascinating. He did a great job of helping me understand how to look at clinical laboratory automation. However, you say nothing about the centralized/decentralized issue. Isn’t automation predicated on the concept of a centralized laboratory with …

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“March 31, 1997 Intelligence: Late Breaking Lab News”

Late Breaking Lab News / By Robert Michel

After THE DARK REPORT’S Executive War College on Medical Laboratory Networking in New Orleans on May 20-21, two other interesting laboratory meetings are scheduled. First up is the 15th annual symposium presented by the University of Michigan’s Department of Pathology. Scheduled for May 28-30 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, it is titled “Automated Information Management In …

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Laboratories Enter The Era Of Big Government

Commentary and Opinion by R. Lewis Dark / By R. Lewis Dark

You will read in this issue of THE DARK REPORT how federal prosecutors have now taken all three of the national laboratories to the woodshed. SmithKline Beecham Clinical Laboratories was the latest to make the trip, paying $325 million to settle a wide variety of allegations and violations of Medicare regulations. However, there is something …

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SmithKline Announces $325 Million Settlement

Laboratory Compliance / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Prosecutors continue to investigate. Criminal charges could be forthcoming against the company and individuals. Allegations against SmithKline expand the scope of laboratory practices that government regulators consider to be violations of existing statutes. Despite the fact that Smithkline Beecham’s settlement was expected, details of the case generated surprise among lab industry executives. At …

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Government Regulators Transforming Lab Industry

Laboratory Compliance / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Medicare/Medicaid regulators get serious about laboratory billing and reimbursement practices. Industry observers say it represents a major shift and will have immense financial and operational impact on every clinical laboratory in the United States. FOLLOWING YEARS of “benign neglect” toward Medicare billing practices, regulators will now scrutinize laboratory reimbursement activities with full vigor. …

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Cigna Buys HealthSource, Inc., Increases Managed Care Clout

Laboratory Management / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Consolidation continues among managed care companies. Cigna’s acquisition is an effort to boost its managed care business. Healthsource’s market coverage complements areas where Cigna can use the additional market strength to negotiate more favorable contracts with providers. HEALTHCARE CONSOLIDATION continues with Cigna Corp.’s agreement to purchase Healthsource, Inc. for $1.4 billion. The acquisition …

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