By Joseph Burns, from the Volume XXVI No. 5 – April 8, 2019 issue
CEO SUMMARY: Before Medicare’s lab test price cuts went into effect last year, Health Network Laboratories began discussions with private health insurers and nursing home clients about the possibility of renegotiating their contracts. In these discussions, HNL promoted the value it delivers to health insurers in terms of fast turnaround times, lab-test utilization management, and
By maryv, from the Volume XXV No. 7 – May 7, 2018 issue
This is an excerpt from a 2,920-word article in the May 7, 2018 issue of THE DARK REPORT. The complete article is available for a limited time to all readers, and available at all times to paid members of the Dark Intelligence Group.
CEO SUMMARY: In an insightful report, THE DARK REPORT shows how one lab
By Joseph Burns, from the Volume XXV No. 7 – May 7, 2018 issue
CEO SUMMARY: Over the 24 months of a first-generation round of laboratory test utilization management projects, the Cleveland Clinic laboratories prevented more than 30,000 duplicate or inappropriate test orders, saving almost $2.7 million. Now implementing a second-generation of labtest utilization projects, the lab’s seven-year effort has prevented 160,072 tests and saved more than $5 million.
By Joseph Burns, from the Volume XXIV, No. 15 – October 30, 2017 issue
CEO SUMMARY: In more than 40 presentations by 55 speakers, two big themes dominated the 11th annual Lab Quality Confab in New Orleans last week. One theme is the urgent need to cut clinical laboratory costs. The second theme is the need for both clinical labs and anatomic pathology groups to deliver more value to
By Joseph Burns, from the Volume XXIII No. 11 – August 15, 2016 issue
CEO SUMMARY: For three years, Cigna has required genetic counseling for members seeking genetic testing for hereditary breast, ovarian, and colorectal cancer, and for a particular heart condition. Such counseling increased member satisfaction, causing Cigna to expand the program. It now requires genetic counseling with an independent board-certified genetics specialist for members considering whole exome
By R. Lewis Dark, from the Volume XXII NO. 17 - December 7, 2015 issue
AT THE END OF EVERY YEAR, IT’S ALWAYS SMART BUSINESS FOR EVERY LAB to peer into the future specifically to identify the best clinical and financial opportunities. With the New Year just a few weeks away, this issue of THE DARK REPORT is designed to help you and your management team prepare for what’s coming
By Joseph Burns, from the Volume XXII No. 14 - October 5, 2015 issue
CEO SUMMARY: Across the nation, labs in hospitals and health systems are feeling pressure from shrinking lab budgets and the need to be a contributor to the integration of clinical care. At Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, the clinical laboratory and department of pathology have responded to these trends by identifying 10 ways to
By Joseph Burns, from the Volume XXII NO. 8 - June 1, 2015 issue
CEO SUMMARY: Since the launch of a laboratory test utilization program in 2011 at the Cleveland Clinic, more than 35,000 duplicate or inappropriate test orders have been stopped. The test utilization team introduced five initiatives that are not designed to cut spending but to introduce evidence-based and consensus-driven methods to lab-test ordering. Another benefit is that needless blood draws are being eliminated, thus improving patient care and satisfaction.
By Joseph Burns, from the Volume XXII NO. 8 - June 1, 2015 issue
CEO SUMMARY: Some physicians in Florida are not complying with UnitedHealthcare’s laboratory benefit management program since the claims impact took effect on April 15. Although officials from UnitedHealthcare and BeaconLBS, a business division of LabCorp, state publicly that the program is going well, physicians and several state medical associations continue to voice serious objections to several key elements of UnitedHealthcare’s lab test utilization management program.
By Joseph Burns, from the Volume XXII NO. 6 - April 20, 2015 issue
CEO SUMMARY: Across the nation, hospital administrators are recogniz- ing that effective lab test utilization is a critical factor in a lab’s success. At Seattle Children’s Hospital, clinical pathologists, clinical chemists, and labora- tory genetic counselors are using an innovative utilization management pro- gram to ensure the appropriate use of genetic and molecular tests. They also formed Pediatric Laboratory Utilization Guidance Services. In two years, PLUGS has gained 32 members, including seven hospital labs serving adults. Interest in utilization management is driven by a desire to decrease test order- ing errors and to control the cost of send-out tests.
