Scott Wallask
Articles by Scott Wallask
UHC Z-code Deadline Looms, Raising Concerns About Technical Assessment Timelines
By now, many of you are aware that UnitedHealthcare is scheduled to begin requiring Z-codes for genetic test claims under its private health plans. That Aug. 1 deadline raises questions about whether labs that need to complete a technical assessment as part of their Z-code requests w…
July 10, 2023, Intelligence: Late-Breaking Lab News
General health panels submitted under CPT code 80050 are among the most expensive—and potentially most wasteful—diagnostic tests, according to a new study published in June by Avalo…
Cyberattack Victims Sue Enzo Biochem and Labcorp
CEO SUMMARY: It’s the latest reminder that clinical laboratories and anatomic pathology groups are at risk for two threats. One threat is a cyberattack that shuts down a lab’s IT system while stealing patient data. The other threat involves lawsui…
FDA Expected to Publish Proposed LDT Rule in August
CEO SUMMARY: Congressional lawmakers and the federal Food and Drug Administration are again eyeing changes that would bring greater oversight to laboratory-developed tests (LDTs). Leaders at clinical laboratories and pathology groups should monitor these proposals, both of which c…
Dartmouth Health Lab Recruits and Trains More CLSs
CEO SUMMARY: Keeping clinical laboratories fully staffed may be the single biggest issue confronting labs today. In New Hampshire, the lab team at Dartmouth Health crafted an innovative program that pays students as they pursue their clinical laboratory scientist certification. In…
Technical Assessment Challenges for Z-Code Applications
CEO SUMMARY: Effective on Aug. 1, UnitedHealthcare will require Z-code submissions for many genetic tests. During a recent webinar, experts tackled a topic that may prove troublesome for labs seeking Z-codes: technical assessments. Key advice is to provide specific data about clin…
Optum and Avalon Discuss Genetic Test Claims Review
CEO SUMMARY: With the ever-increasing number of genetic tests on the market, payers are understandably frustrated with genetic test claims that don’t clearly outline the medical need for a procedure or it…
Atrium Health’s Advice on Epic Beaker Rollouts
CEO SUMMARY: Starting in 2019, Atrium Health began a years-long process to implement Epic Beaker as its laboratory information system. It was an enormous effort, involving dozens of locations across three s…
CMS: TJC Made ‘Business Decision’ to Not Recognize COLA
Following up on a prior briefing, The Dark Report has learned that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) does not appear to hav…
Proposed Electronic Signature Rule Has Compliance Risks
CEO SUMMARY: Proposed HHS rule aims to define and standardize physician electronic signatures. For clinical laboratories, this is important because lab test claims require a signed requisition form. Given …
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