Anatomic pathology is about diagnosing disease through the examination of organs and tissue samples by using a microscope, or through molecular, biochemical or immunological means.
It differs from clinical pathology, where diseases are diagnosed through analyzing bodily fluids in a lab.
In anatomic pathology, a physician trained in pathology examines surgical specimens (e.g., from a biopsy). This contrasts from clinical pathology, where blood, throat cultures, and urine as sent to a lab for analysis to determine whether a patient either has or is at risk for several biological diseases.
The American Board of Pathology is one of the primary certification organizations for anatomic pathologists. To be certified in anatomic pathology, a physician must complete four years of medical school and three years of residency. To be certified in both anatomic and clinical pathology, a physician must do four years of residency.
Anatomic pathologists typically work in hospitals, and pathology in general is most times practiced in hospitals and academic medical centers, where research is being conducted.
By Joseph Burns, from the Volume XXVI No. 16 – November 25, 2019 issue
CEO SUMMARY: Evidence shows that adoption of ICD-10 diagnosis codes in 2015 made it possible for health insurers to track clinical laboratory testing more closely, ask more questions about those tests, and deny coverage. Increased detail about each patient’s condition has led to increased demands for medical-necessity documentation and to denied payments of as much
This is an excerpt of a 1,484-word article in the Nov. 25, 2019 issue of THE DARK REPORT (TDR). The full article is available to members of The Dark Intelligence Group.
CEO SUMMARY: It’s an unreported trend tracked only by THE DARK REPORT, but which is essential reading for clinical labs and pathology groups that must
By Mary Van Doren, from the Volume XXVI No. 15 – November 4, 2019 issue
This is an excerpt of a 2,027-word article in the Nov. 4, 2019 issue of THE DARK REPORT (TDR). The full article is available to members of The Dark Intelligence Group.
CEO SUMMARY: Under a new federal rule in effect this month, all healthcare providers—including clinical laboratories and pathology groups—will need to scour the records of
By Joseph Burns, from the Volume XXVI No. 15 – November 4, 2019 issue
CEO SUMMARY: For pathologists and clinical, molecular, and genetic testing labs, appropriate reuses of lab data can provide a new source of revenue. Labs that serve as preferred providers of diagnostic testing data can help health systems, ordering physicians, pharmaceutical companies, and other organizations when they reuse lab test data to support evidence-based care and
By Joseph Burns, from the Volume XXVI No. 15 – November 4, 2019 issue
CEO SUMMARY: For all healthcare providers—including clinical laboratories and pathology groups—a new rule became effective this month. The rule allows Medicare to revoke or deny enrollment if a provider or supplier’s affiliates pose an undue risk of fraud. Lawyers familiar with the “Program Integrity Enhancements to the Provider Enrollment Process” rule are concerned about its
By Joseph Burns, from the Volume XXVI No. 15 – November 4, 2019 issue
CEO SUMMARY: Under a new federal rule in effect this month, all healthcare providers—including clinical laboratories and pathology groups—will need to scour the records of all officers, directors, and affiliates to identify any that have had negative dealings with CMS or other federal enforcement agencies. Under the rule, the Medicare program is likely to target
By Joseph Burns, from the Volume XXVI No. 14 – October 14, 2019 issue
CEO SUMMARY: Four trends are disrupting the nation’s healthcare system in ways that no one would have predicted just a few decades ago. Ted Schwab, a healthcare strategist, described these trends during his keynote presentation at the 24th Annual Executive War College in May. His insights and predictions will help clinical laboratory directors and pathologists develop
By Joseph Burns, from the Volume XXVI No. 14 – October 14, 2019 issue
CEO SUMMARY: In September, Alverno Laboratories, one of the largest networks of regional laboratories in the Midwest, added two Chicago hospital laboratories and six other hospital labs from the AMITA Health system to its network. The additional AMITA Health facilities joined Alverno as a result of health system consolidation. The consolidation of hospitals into health
By Joseph Burns, from the Volume XXVI No. 14 – October 14, 2019 issue
CEO SUMMARY: Clinical labs and pathologists providing tests for patients in Medicare, Medicaid, or Children’s Health Insurance Program should become acquainted with new enrollment rules that go into effect Nov. 4. The new rules allow CMS to revoke or deny enrollment to help stop fraud before it occurs in the federal healthcare programs. CMS intends
By Joseph Burns, from the Volume XXVI No. 13 – September 23, 2019 issue
CEO SUMMARY: One association representing pathologists says new payment rates that Anthem, Inc., is introducing in 14 states do not cover the costs of performing anatomic pathology and clinical lab testing for the tests in question. Another association says the steep payment cuts threaten the viability of small and rural pathology groups. State-by-state, Anthem is
