Lab Intelligence
With Z-codes, Will Other Payers Follow UnitedHealthcare’s Lead?
EDITOR’S NOT…
HCCI Reports Higher Prices for Hospital Outreach Tests
CEO SUMMARY: It’s another shot across the bows to hospital and health systems that use inpatient test prices when billing health insurers for outpatient/outreach lab tests. In its report, the Health Care Cost Institute documents how these hospital l…
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…
UnitedHealthcare’s Z-code Policy Starts on Aug. 1
CEO SUMMARY: UnitedHealthcare’s (UHC) response to the ever-growing number of unique genetic tests and the continuing growth in the volume of those claims is a new policy. Effective Aug. 1, UHC will require a Z-code with genetic test claims. This req…
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…
UHC’s Z-Code Requirement to Commence on Aug. 1
CEO SUMMARY: In what may be an alarming development for certain clinical laboratories, as of Aug. 1, UnitedHealthcare will require Z-codes for molecular test claims filed under its co…
Major Events on Horizon to Reshape Lab Market
CEO SUMMARY: Speakers at last month’s Executive War College discussed a range of significant trends and changes happening today in the U.S. healthcare system. Two of the most important trends are …
Pharmacogenetic Tests Deliver for Avera Health Lab
CEO SUMMARY: When Avera Institute for Human Genetics wanted to expand its genomics program, it used its past learning with pharmacogenetics to guide the effort. Two key insights? Ask physicians abo…
Laboratories Can Find Value in Use of Leftover Samples
CEO SUMMARY: After testing on behalf of patients, there are often leftover samples. One company developed a platform to enable life science customers to access the samples and associated diagnostic data for research purposes. For clinical labs, the leftover samples provide an opport…
Pandemic Helped Lab with Hospital Leaders
CEO SUMMARY: Growth at Atrium Health during the COVID-19 pandemic elevated its clinical laboratory’s profile with medical leaders and health system administrators. What followed was a new spirit of collaboration that led to lab involvement in cost savings efforts, such as improved…
CURRENT ISSUE
Volume XXXI, No. 6 – April 29, 2024
Laboratory managers will want to note that The Dark Report itself was targeted by the fraudsters who hit Change Health in a cyberattack. Also, one lab has some innovative methods of combatting the chronic staffing shortage, including hiring college graduates and students.
See the full table of contentsHow Much Laboratory Business Intelligence Have You Missed?
Lab leaders rely on THE DARK REPORT for actionable intelligence on important developments in the business of laboratory testing. Maximize the money you make-and the money you keep! Best of all, it is released every three weeks!
Sign up for TDR Insider
Join the Dark Intelligence Group FREE and get TDR Insider FREE!
Never miss a single update on the issues that matter to you and your business.