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Search Results for: COVID-19

COVID-19 Lab Test Prices Give Some Health Plans ‘Indigestion’

Managed Care Contracts / By Robert Michel

HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS CONTINUE TO BE UNHAPPY with the higher prices they are charged for COVID-19 tests by out-of-network clinical laboratories. That is one theme in a report on COVID-19 test prices published by a health insurance trade group. In its report issued last month, the America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) wrote, “price gouging in …

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Predicting Future Demand for COVID-19 Testing

Clinical Laboratory Trends / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: After 15 months of the pandemic, the nation’s clinical laboratories are at an interesting crossroads. Is the COVID-19 outbreak diminishing and close to disappearing? Or might it intensify again, particularly when the traditional influenza season arrives next fall? There has been an 82% drop in the daily number of molecular COVID-19 tests since …

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Amazon Sells COVID-19 Test Kit for At-Home Use by Consumers

Lab Marketplace / By Robert Michel

QUIETLY AND WITHOUT MUCH ATTENTION, online retailing giant Amazon began to sell a COVID-19 molecular test to consumers for at-home testing. This is consistent with other actions Amazon has taken to generate revenue during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The test Amazon sells is the DxTerity COVID-19 Saliva at-Home Collection Kit. The test was developed by DxTerity, …

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IVD Firms Report Strong Growth Because of COVID-19 Testing

In Vitro Diagnostics, IVD/Lab Informatics / By Robert Michel

TO NO ONE’S SURPRISE, THOSE IN VITRO DIAGNOSTICS (IVD) MANUFACTURERS that produce molecular tests, instruments, and automation used for COVID-19 testing reported strong growth in revenue and profits during 2020. In recent weeks, these companies issued their earnings reports for the fourth quarter 2020 and full year 2020. As expected, most companies announced substantial increases …

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Despite COVID-19, Regular Lab Testing Expands

Commentary and Opinion by R. Lewis Dark, Lab Intelligence / By R. Lewis Dark

TIMES ARE GOOD FOR THE REGULAR RANGE of clinical laboratory and anatomic pathology testing services. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the daily number of routine test specimens is near pre-pandemic levels and certain sectors of lab testing—particularly genetic tests and some high-cost assays—are showing substantial growth this year, compared to 2019. It may surprise many clinical …

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What Comes Next? Predictions on COVID-19 Test Volumes in 2021-22

Clinical Laboratory Trends / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Incoming data show that the number of referrals for both COVID-19 tests and routine tests is in a decline that started in October and is continuing. This complicates the strategic planning for hospital/health system labs, independent labs, and pathology groups. They need to make accurate predictions about the demand for tests in coming …

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COVID-19 Variant Sequencing Offers Clinical Opportunities

TDR Insider / By Robert Michel

This is an excerpt of a 2,987-word article in the March 1, 2021 issue of THE DARK REPORT (TDR). The full article is available to members of The Dark Intelligence Group. CEO SUMMARY: In Wisconsin, an oncology research lab started sequencing variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and found multiple uses for such test results to …

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Pathology Lab Transforms, Runs 1M COVID-19 Tests

Laboratory Management / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Last spring, a histopathology lab in Illinois began running molecular COVID-19 tests and decided the clinical side of the lab would focus exclusively on PCR testing for COVID-19. The challenge was how to access a reliable source of test kits, reagents, and supplies to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. …

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Digital Pathology Launched in the ‘Era of COVID-19’

Digital Pathology / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Is it smart to initiate digital pathology (DP) systems and whole-slide imaging just as a novel coronavirus upends healthcare and society at large? That was the question asked at Poplar Healthcare, a pathology lab in Memphis. Senior management proceeded with the implementation, despite the uncertainty that accompanied the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Nine months later, …

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Top 10 2020 Lab Stories Are about More than Just COVID-19

TDR Insider / By Robert Michel

This is an excerpt of a 3,689-word article in the December 28, 2020 issue of THE DARK REPORT (TDR). The full article is available to members of The Dark Intelligence Group. CEO SUMMARY: There are several surprises in The Dark Report’s list of the Top 10 Lab Stories for 2020. Despite the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic dominating …

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