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The Dark Report

Hospital Labs To Regain Pre-Eminence in Coming Years

Laboratory Management / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: During the past five years, powerful forces in the healthcare marketplace positioned hospital-based laboratories to once again become the dominant force in laboratory testing. But this can only occur if today’s generation of hospital laboratory directors and clinical pathologists fully understand this opportunity and act to properly prepare their laboratory. It will require …

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Humana Denies Payment For Pathology CPT Codes

Laboratory Billing / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: It’s not just the Medicare program that wants to eat away at the reimbursement for laboratory tests. Private payers continue to seek ways to cut back reimbursement to laboratory providers. The latest attack is on two surgical pathology codes—88300 and 88302. In at least three states, Humana Healthcare Corporation has denied claims submitted …

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Aetna Settles Texas Suit, To Reform Care Policies

Managed Care Contracts / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Texas demonstrates that, where providers have political clout, some of the more onerous aspects of managed care can be changed. The Texas Attorney General sued Aetna and five other HMOs in 1998 about the way physicians were given incentives to stay within budget numbers for the cost of care. Aetna decided to settle …

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Looking for Laboratory Leadership

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

ONE ASPECT OF LABORATORY MANAGEMENT which is seldom discussed is the topic of leadership. Pure and simple, every laboratory organization and pathology group practice needs an effective leader if it is to survive and prosper. This is particularly true as reimbursement for lab services continues to shrink from year to year. In too many laboratory …

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“March 27, 2000 Intelligence: Late Breaking Lab News”

Late Breaking Lab News / By Robert Michel

Will lab information system services be a value- added selling point for the national reference labs? Developments at American Medical Laboratories (AML) and Specialty Laboratories would indicate yes. First, AML entered a strategic alliance with Park City Solutions to develop e-commerce solutions targeted at healthcare and laboratory services. Now Specialty Labs has recruited Jack Redding …

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2000’s Movers & Shakers Represent Strong Leaders

Laboratory Management / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Its time again for THE DARK REPORT to make its yearly selection of the lab industry’s Movers & Shakers. Individuals chosen for 2000 represent a cross section of laboratory companies. Their successes demonstrate that leadership and vision continue to make a difference, despite the financial challenges of today’s healthcare marketplace. IT IS ALWAYS …

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Honolulu Lab Pursuing Pacific Rim Business

Laboratory Management / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: With one laboratory already operating in Guam, Diagnostic Laboratory Services, Inc. (DLS) is poised to expand its services in the Pacific Rim area. Now a major competitor within Hawaii, DLS sees the island archipelagos of the Pacific Ocean as a natural extension of its existing service area. It’s a business strategy that matches …

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Independent California Lab Decides to Exit Business

Laboratory Management / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Market forces in California continue to put independent laboratories under sustained financial stress. One laboratory owner decided it was an auspicious time to sell his lab. That sale, of POISONLAB to Laboratory Corporation of America, was announced earlier this month. There are persistent, but unconfirmed, rumors that another independent lab is negotiating to …

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Bio-Reference Labs, CARESIDE, United Healthcare, MetLife, Foundation Health

Laboratory Management / By Robert Michel

BIO-REFERENCE LABS MOVES TO START PATIENT-DOCTOR MESSAGING ONE OF THE NATION’S MORE AGGRESSIVE efforts to refocus the clinical laboratory organization can be found at Bio-Reference Laboratories, Inc., located in Elmwood Park, New Jersey. Bio-Reference wants to use its basic lab testing relationship with physicians as the foundation for a business relationship that involves a host …

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Pap Technology Wars Expected to Intensify

Laboratory Equipment / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: With patience and persistence, Digene, Inc. is developing the effectiveness of its DNA-based HPV assay. Publication of recently-completed clinical trials provides evidence that Digene’s Hybrid Capture II ® HPV test, with further improvement, might become a relevant tool in the diagnostic pathway for cervical cancer. It’s another new technology with the potential to …

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