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

March 2006

Medicare To Publish Its Fees on the Web

IN A FEW WEEKS, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will publish its reimbursement prices for common procedures on its Web site at www.medicare.gov. The objective is to allow consumers to see the fees Medicare currently pays to hospitals and physicians and allow uninsured patients to negotiate comparable discounts for services provided to them. This is …

Medicare To Publish Its Fees on the Web Read More »

To access this post, you must purchase The Dark Report.

CMS Defers MUE Edits Until After Jan. 1, 2007

CEO SUMMARY: Medicare officials have granted a temporary respite on the troubling proposal to institute service restrictions per patient on some 80 pathology CPT codes and 1,100 clinical laboratory codes. These proposals are part of a new round of Medically Unbelievable Edits (MUEs). CMS has yet to answer questions about the rationale and motive behind …

CMS Defers MUE Edits Until After Jan. 1, 2007 Read More »

To access this post, you must purchase The Dark Report.

Geisinger’s Coag Clinics Located in Docs’ Offices

CEO SUMMARY: It was six years ago when Geisinger Health System pushed laboratory testing and pharmacy services closer to the patients and referring physicians. By establishing coagulation clinics in six multi-specialty clinic sites, Geisinger has allowed pharmacists to use point-of-care testing to provide coag consults, therapy, and patient counseling in real time–often in as little as 30 minutes …

Geisinger’s Coag Clinics Located in Docs’ Offices Read More »

To access this post, you must purchase The Dark Report.

Christian Hospital Laboratory Goes Lean with Solid Results

CEO SUMMARY: As part of a major restructuring program under way at Christian Hospital in St. Louis, Laboratory Administrator Bette J. Stanley decided to apply Lean quality management methods in projects to improve work processes in phlebotomy and the chemistry department. Using internal quality consultants from the parent health system, the laboratory staff applied Lean …

Christian Hospital Laboratory Goes Lean with Solid Results Read More »

To access this post, you must purchase The Dark Report.

Middleware Is Hot Topic At Labinfo Tech Meeting

CEO SUMMARY: Middleware is a growing component in the market for laboratory information services. Labs are asking vendors to provide targeted software solutions to address a growing list of needs and functions. To fill this demand, specialty software companies and IVD firms are introducing new middleware products. It remains unclear whether traditional LIS vendors will …

Middleware Is Hot Topic At Labinfo Tech Meeting Read More »

To access this post, you must purchase The Dark Report.

March 20, 2006 “Intelligence: Late Breaking Lab News”

On March 13, 2006, American Esoteric Laboratories, Inc. (AEL) of Brentwood, Tennessee announced the acquisition of Physicians Medical Laboratory (PML). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Located in Morristown, Tennessee, PML gives AEL a presence in east Tennessee. AEL has owned and operated Memphis Pathology Laboratory in west Tennessee since 2004. VIRUS DISCOVERED IN …

March 20, 2006 “Intelligence: Late Breaking Lab News” Read More »

To access this post, you must purchase The Dark Report.

;