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

The Dark Report

Humana, Inc. Acquired By United Healthcare

Laboratory Management / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Clinical laboratories will see increased concentration of laboratory purchasing as a result of this merger. The combined company will insure 19.2 million people in 48 states. This transaction confirms that consolidation proceeds in all areas of the healthcare industry, despite financial setbacks by large companies in several sectors. IT MAY BE A CASE …

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“Disease Management” Firms, Niche Labs Release Financials

Laboratory Management / By Robert Michel

Two DISEASE MANAGEMENT FIRMS enjoyed strong revenue growth during the first quarter of 1998. UroCor, Inc. and Impath Inc. posted revenue increases of 31% and 49%, respectively, over first quarter 1997. UroCor is the disease management company which serves urologists throughout the United States. The company’s first quarter financial performance showed strong revenue growth but …

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Private Consortium Plans To Decode Human Genes

Genetic Testing / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Five years ago, the only option for mapping was to involve the government. New advancements in technology have lowered costs so radically that now private companies are willing to use their own funds to map the human genome. This brings the day ever closer when genetics-based diagnostic tests replace existing phenotypic-based diagnostics. Advances …

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HMOs Planning Double Digit Premium Increases For 1999

Managed Care Contracts / By Robert Michel

EXPECT THE HMO INDUSTRY TO PUSH double digit premium increases on employers for 1999. This will cause political and financial repercussions which impact clinical laboratories. “I think the honeymoon is over,” stated Henry Moyer, healthcare consultant with New York-based Hirschfield, Stern, Moyer & Rose. During the period of 1994-1996, employers saw increases to healthcare premiums …

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Serendipity Or Response To Market Forces?

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

THIS ISSUE OF THE DARK REPORT IS A GREAT EXAMPLE of how marketplace developments shape what we write. After the Executive War College in New Orleans, I spoke with our Editor, Robert Michel. We discussed his impressions from the collective information of 26 presentations. We also discussed what he had learned from conversations with the attendees, …

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Hospital Lab-Commercial Lab Partnering Is Upcoming Trend

Clinical Laboratory Trends / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: At this year’s Executive War College in New Orleans, laboratory innovators convened to study hot new trends in the industry.They were surprised to learn that partnering relationships between hospital laboratories and commercial laboratories are finally gaining wider acceptance. Laboratory executives involved in partnering arrangements had good things to say about the success of …

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Substance Abuse Testing Gains Increasing Favor

Clinical Laboratory Trends / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Here’s an update to our earlier predictions that clinical laboratories would find substance abuse testing to be a profitable adjunct to clinical testing. Evidence accumulates that competition in the drugs of abuse marketplace is intensifying. While still a relatively small market, opportunities for non-SAMHSA laboratories to build a profitable book of business should …

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“May 26, 1998 Intelligence: Late Breaking Lab News”

Late Breaking Lab News / By Robert Michel

Another pathologybased PPM received venture capital funding. Pathology Consultants of America, (PCA) based in Nashville, Tennessee, just closed a $16 million deal with two venture capitalists. ABS Capital Partners of Baltimore invested $15 million. An affiliate of SunTrust/Equitable Securities ponied up the additional $1 million. This gives PCA cash to use in purchasing pathology practices. Meanwhile, …

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Premier & Quest Devise New Service Arrangement

Laboratory Management / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Pressure is intense for hospital buying consortiums to justify themselves and deliver added savings and services to their members. The recent announcement of a new national contract between Premier and Quest Diagnostics Incorporated demonstrates that both buying groups and laboratory industry suppliers are showing increased flexibility in creating new service menus. LONG-STANDING RUMORS …

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New Alliance Is Example Of Coming Paradigm Shift

Laboratory Management / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: This strategic alliance represents a fundamental shift within the clinical laboratory industry. It is a response to market forces which should not be ignored by laboratory executives and pathologists anywhere in the country. Whether the alliance succeeds or fails, it will launch the laboratory industry into new directions. IT WILL TAKE SEVERAL YEARS …

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