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

Month: January 2017

Health System Lab Is Genotyping To Identify Best Drugs for Patients

Genetic Testing / By Joseph Burns

CEO SUMMARY: One essential element of precision medicine will be the regular use of pharmacogenomic testing to provide additional guidance to physicians when selecting the most appropriate therapeutics and optimal dose for each individual patient. Despite the reluctance of private payers and Medicare to reimburse for pharmacogenomic tests, Avera Institute for Human Genetics (AIHG) in …

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In Texas, BeaconLBS Start Will Be Delayed

Clinical Laboratory Trends / By Joseph Burns

CEO SUMMARY: UnitedHealthcare will not implement the claims impact part of its laboratory benefit management program in Texas on March 1, 2017, as it had previously announced. Opposition to the program and the requirement that physicians use the BeaconLBS system when ordering about 79 lab tests is building among physicians in Texas. Officials from the …

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Another Pharmacogenomic Lab Hit With Audit, Multi-million Dollar Repayment Demand

Laboratory Billing / By Joseph Burns

CEO SUMMARY: In 2014, during a ZPIC audit of an unnamed pharmacogenomic testing lab, a federal auditor reviewed a small number of claims that had been filed over a period of several years. Despite supporting letters from physicians, the auditor rejected those claims, then extrapolated the findings to declare payments for thousands of tests over …

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Mount Sinai Health System Sells Outreach Lab to LabCorp

Laboratory Management / By Robert Michel

ANOTHER ACADEMIC MEDICAL CENTER decided to cash in on the value of its outreach lab. On Jan. 10, Laboratory Corporation of America announced it would acquire the lab outreach business of Mount Sinai Health System of New York City. Terms of the transaction and purchase price were not disclosed. The deal is expected to close …

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January 30, 2017 Intelligence: Late Breaking Lab News

Late Breaking Lab News / By Robert Michel

In New Jersey, a U.S. attorney has put laboratory sales reps on notice that they can be prosecuted for violating federal anti-kickback laws and sent to prison. On January 18, Paul Fishman, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, announced the sentencing of Michael J. Zarrelli, of Berkeley Heights, N.J., formerly a sales representative with the now- defunct …

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Pharmacogenomic testing a success at South Dakota health system

TDR Insider / By Mary Van Doren

This is an excerpt from a 2,700-word article in the January 30 issue of THE DARK REPORT. The complete article is available for a limited time to all readers, and available at all times to paid members of the Dark Intelligence Group. CEO SUMMARY: One essential element of precision medicine — the wave of the future …

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Ending ‘Lab Tests as a Commodity’

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

WITH HEALTHCARE POISED TO MAKE FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES in both the delivery of care (think integration, ACOs, medical homes) and how providers are paid (less fee-for-service, more budgeted payment methods), it is time for the entire profession of laboratory medicine to tackle the elephant in the room: lab tests bought and sold as commodities. The commoditization …

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Lab Innovators Advocate Need for Clinical Lab 2.0

Clinical Laboratory Trends / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: It is generally recognized that the clinical lab industry faces a financial squeeze of unprecedented dimensions. Lab test prices are falling steadily and more major cuts are coming to Medicare Part B fees in just 11 months. At the same time, obtaining favorable coverage and reimbursement decisions from payers is becoming tougher. This …

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Theranos Lays Off More Staff, Voids More Lab Test Results

Clinical Laboratory / By Joseph Burns

ONCE AGAIN, the controversial lab testing company, Theranos, Inc., found itself the subject of negative news stories. In recent weeks, The Wall Street Journal reported that the beleaguered lab testing company in Palo Alto, Calif., laid off 155 staffers, voided more laboratory test results, and cut ties with its high-profile lawyer. This round of bad …

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In Texas, Questions for UnitedHealth, BeaconLBS

Clinical Laboratory Trends / By Joseph Burns

CEO SUMMARY: As of January 1, 2017, clinical laboratories and pathology groups in Texas will find it more difficult to serve the 500,000 patients enrolled in UnitedHealthcare’s fully-insured commercial plans in the Lone Star State. That’s because—just as it did in Florida—UnitedHealthcare, with its partners BeaconLBS and Laboratory Corporation of America, is implementing its laboratory …

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