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

Volume XI No. 11 - August 9, 2004

“Actionable Intelligence” In Real Time

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

BEFORE YOU READ THIS ISSUE, I would like to make three observations. Each will help you get maximum value from the information contained herein about the trend of in-house anatomic pathology (AP) laboratories in specialist physician groups. First, THE DARK REPORT’S coverage of this trend is unmatched by any other source in the lab industry. …

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Part II: Path Condo Labs As A Threat to Pathology

Pathology Trends / By Robert Michel

SPECIALIST PHYSICIAN GROUPS are taking active steps to capture anatomic pathology (AP) revenues that result from specimens generated by their groups’ patients. Yet the anatomic pathology profession is only now awakening to this threat. To educate and alert pathologists and their group practice administrators to this trend, we are devoting this entire issue to the …

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LabCorp’s Smith Speaks On New Pathology Trend

Pathology Trends / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: During the past decade, Laboratory Corporation of America’s Brad Smith faced the spear point of evolving Medicare/Medicaid compliance initiatives which changed so many laboratory industry business practices. Smith believes that business models for in-house anatomic pathology labs now being offered to specialist physician groups fail to meet important Medicare compliance criteria. EFFORTS BY …

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Of Congress and the OIG: Speedy Action Ahead?

Pathology Trends / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: During the short life of AP laboratory condominium complexes, they have attracted the interest of both an influential Senator and the Office of the Inspector General (OIG). Last month, Senator Charles E. Grassley sent a letter to the OIG requesting that it investigate the AP lab condo scheme and report its findings to …

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Peeking Into Finances Of Pathology Lab Condos

Pathology Trends / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: In the possession of THE DARK REPORT is a copy of revenue and expense projections shown by a pathology condo laboratory complex promoter to prospective urology groups. They project that even smaller urology groups can realize worthwhile income if they invest in a pathology condo lab and operate it successfully. This is validated …

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Pathology Consultants See In-House AP Trend Unfolding

Pathology Trends / By Robert Michel

LOCAL PATHOLOGY GROUP PRACTICES are themselves the “canary in the coal mine” to provide early warning about the exploding interest of specialist physicians at capturing the anatomic pathology (AP) revenues generated by their patients. THE DARK REPORT interviewed three consultants, each of whom serves multiple pathology groups. Each reported that client pathology groups are in …

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AP Test Over-Utilization Will Be One Achilles’ Heel

Pathology Trends / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Over-utilization is likely to be a prime concern when federal healthcare enforcers eventually investigate in-house anatomic pathology laboratories owned by specialist physicians. Some in-house pathology lab condo promoters are basing financial performance on 100% utilization of 12-core prostate biopsies. That significantly exceeds current clinical practices, as the numbers below demonstrate. OVER-UTILIZATION WILL BE …

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Exposed: Who Created Path Lab Condo Scheme

Pathology Trends / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: It wasn’t pathologists and it wasn’t laboratory executives who started this scheme. Anatomic pathology condominium laboratory complexes were conceived by urologists in Florida. Some Texas urologists jumped on the bandwagon early, becoming enthusiastic promoters of the scheme to other specialist physicians. That’s why Florida and Texas are the hotbed states for this movement. …

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Visit To A Path Condo Lab: “You Are Not Welcome”

Pathology Trends / By Robert Michel

NO “WELCOME MAT” greets visitors to an anatomic pathology (AP) condominium complex. That was certainly true last month when an agent of THE DARK REPORT attempted to visit a lab condo complex in San Antonio, Texas. Operated by UroPath, LLC, the lab condo complex is located at 7909 Fredericksburg Road in Suite 150. Also in …

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