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

The Dark Report

HMO Membership Shows First-Ever Decline in 1998

Managed Care Contracts / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: One of the most closely-tracked surveys of health cost trends was released last week. William H. Mercer Inc.’s report revealed two significant facts. One, enrollment growth in HMO/POS plans actually declined for the first time. Two, costs rose at the fastest rate in five years. Each fact may be early warning to laboratory …

HMO Membership Shows First-Ever Decline in 1998 Read More »

To access this post, you must purchase The Dark Report.

Technology Cannot Replace Productive People

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

READING THE PRINTER PROOFS FOR STORIES in this issue of THE DARK REPORT, I was struck by the importance of new technology to the competitive position of clinical laboratories. Each new scientific breakthrough affecting diagnostics requires individual laboratories to assess whether or not they should adopt that technology. In our list of the Top Ten …

Technology Cannot Replace Productive People Read More »

To access this post, you must purchase The Dark Report.

DARK REPORT Picks 1998’s Ten Biggest Lab Stories

Clinical Laboratory Trends / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Our story picks for 1998 demonstrate a broad range of subjects. Each affects laboratories and pathology practices in significant ways and should be used to trigger appropriate management strategies. Two essential themes among this year’s ten biggest lab stories: continued downward squeeze on reimbursement and a flood of new technology is on the …

DARK REPORT Picks 1998’s Ten Biggest Lab Stories Read More »

To access this post, you must purchase The Dark Report.

“January 11, 1999 Intelligence: Late Breaking Lab News”

Late Breaking Lab News / By Robert Michel

Not much has been heard from Neuromedical Systems, Inc.(NSI) recently. The company makes the PapNet® Testing System for Pap smear screening and is concentrating on obtaining approval from the FDA to use PapNet as a primary screener. It is currently approved for use as an adjunct test. This fall NSI announced a restructuring plan that …

“January 11, 1999 Intelligence: Late Breaking Lab News” Read More »

To access this post, you must purchase The Dark Report.

Total Laboratory Automation: It’s “ DOA” In Today’s Market

Laboratory Automation / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Since 1994, thoughtful lab executives have wrestled with the concept of total automation for their laboratory. Despite concerted marketing efforts by some of the world’s most successful diagnostics manufacturers, only a handful of total laboratory automation (TLA) sites are operating today in the United States. In operation, the economics of TLA failed to …

Total Laboratory Automation: It’s “ DOA” In Today’s Market Read More »

To access this post, you must purchase The Dark Report.

DIANON Wins Contract, Buys Kyto Meridien Lab

Managed Care Contracts / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY:Anatomic pathology took another forward step on the managed care battleground. DIANON Systems, Inc. gained status as a provider of anatomic pathology services under the new master agreement announced by Oxford Health Plans. DIANON’s success demonstrates that anatomic pathology can be split from laboratory testing when ancillary contract decisions are made by managed care …

DIANON Wins Contract, Buys Kyto Meridien Lab Read More »

To access this post, you must purchase The Dark Report.

What’s Next For Regional Laboratory Networks?

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

SINCE THE CONCEPT OF REGIONAL LABORATORY NETWORKS burst on the scene in 1995, I have ardently believed in their potential to help hospital laboratories remain relevant in the world of managed healthcare. The early victories of Pittsburgh’s Regional Laboratory Alliance and San Francisco’s Bay Area Hospital Laboratory Network inspired all of us. Indeed, in 1995, …

What’s Next For Regional Laboratory Networks? Read More »

To access this post, you must purchase The Dark Report.

“November 30, 1998 Intelligence: Late Breaking Lab News”

Late Breaking Lab News / By Robert Michel

ARIZONA For pathologists interested in preserving and enhancing their income, THE DARK REPORT’S Private Pathologist Income Symposium was just the item. Held in Scottsdale on November 13-14, it attracted a sell-out crowd of pathologists and practice administrators. Interest in the symposium was so strong that registrations sold out two weeks before the event. MORE ON:…PATHOLOGIST …

“November 30, 1998 Intelligence: Late Breaking Lab News” Read More »

To access this post, you must purchase The Dark Report.

Health Insurance Costs Begin New Upward Spiral

Laboratory Management / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Health insurance costs are climbing again for the nation’s employers. Premium increases for 1999 average in excess of 10%. After losing money in 1997 and 1998, managed care companies are serving stiff premium increases to their customers. For clinical laboratories, the impact of these national trends are too soon to predict. But there …

Health Insurance Costs Begin New Upward Spiral Read More »

To access this post, you must purchase The Dark Report.

Washington’s PacLab Network Succeeds With Standardization

Laboratory Management / By Robert Michel

PART TWO OF TWO PARTS CEO SUMMARY: In part one of this two-part series, we looked at how changes to healthcare in the state of Washington brought about the creation of PacLab Network Laboratories. In this concluding installment, we explore how PacLab is standardizing laboratory operations and information systems capabilities across the statewide net work. …

Washington’s PacLab Network Succeeds With Standardization Read More »

To access this post, you must purchase The Dark Report.

;