Labs Must Audit Their Cybersecurity Measures

By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXIX, No. 14 – October 10, 2022 Issue

CEO SUMMARY: While clinical laboratory managers and pathologists are aware of the risks of a data breach, they often assume that related protection measures are working as needed. That is a mistake. With the cost of healthcare data breaches on the rise, it is vitally important for l…

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Attorney Advises Labs to Track Genetic Test LCDs

By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXIX, No. 13 – September 19, 2022 Issue

CEO SUMMARY: Skyrocketing numbers of genetic test referrals and telehealth claims since 2016 are getting the full attention of both federal prosecutors and auditors from Medicare and private health insurers. The DOJ has filed criminal cases against a growing number of telehealth pro…

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PAMA Cuts Might Be Reduced to Zero for 2023

By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXIX, No. 11 – August 8, 2022 Issue

CEO SUMMARY: Congress may soon vote on a new bill that permanently reduces the amount of price cuts to Medicare Part B lab test prices, as specified under the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 (PAMA). The Saving Access to Laboratory Services Act (SALSA) eliminates a 15% paym…

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Judge Vacates Provision in No Surprises Act

By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXIX, No. 5 – April 4, 2022 Issue

  CEO SUMMARY: It …

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March 14, 2022 Intelligence: Late-Breaking Lab News

By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXIX, No. 4 – March 14, 2022 Issue

Telehealth proved to be popular with Medicare patients during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The federal U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reported telehealth visits for Medicare beneficiaries increased in 2020 by an incredible 63 times—from approximately 840,000 in 2019 to 52.7 m…

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January 10, 2022 Intelligence: Late-Breaking Lab News

By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXIX, No. 1 – January 10, 2022 Issue

Imagine a medical lab temporarily closing because of the demand for too many tests! That’s just what happened at one of Australia’s largest medical lab companies. Australian Clinical Labs had to temporarily discontinue offering COVID-19 testing because test volumes had gotten too large. Au…

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2021’s Top 10 Lab Stories Highlight Important Trends

By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXVIII, No. 17 – December 20, 2021 Issue

This is an excerpt of a 3,075-word article in the December 20, 2021 issue of  THE DARK REPORT (TDR). The full article is available to members of The Dark Intelligence Group. CEO SUMMARY: Much like 2020, the pandemic dominated our new list of the top 10 lab stories for 2021. Beyond…

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2021’s Top 10 Lab Stories Confirm Important Trends

By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXVIII, No. 17 – December 20, 2021 Issue

CEO SUMMARY: Much like 2020, the pandemic dominated our new list of the top 10 lab industry stories for 2021. Beyond COVID-19 testing, the virus crept its way into long-term trends, such as pathology jobs and technology innovation. New ways of delivering healthcare will need respons…

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Florida Laboratory Owner Gets 82-Month Jail Term

By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXVIII, No. 16 – November 29, 2021 Issue

CEO SUMMARY: Federal prosecutors are sending a clinical lab owner to federal prison for almost eight years. Hopefully, this is a sign that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is ready to use criminal indictments more frequently against lab owners, lab managers, and lab sales reps who vi…

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Federal Rule to Revise Out-of-Network Billing

By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXVIII, No. 14 – October 18, 2021 Issue

CEO SUMMARY: Remaining out of network with health insurance companies may boost revenue for providers, including anatomic pathologists and emergency room physicians. But the good times may soon end. Last month four federal agencies issued rules that implement new requirements under …

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