TAG:
the laboratory
Unpaid for Molecular Tests, Some Labs Are Closing
THERE IS GREAT FRUSTRATION ACROSS THE LABORATORY MEDICINE PROFESSION on the subject of getting paid for claims covered by the new Tier I and Tier II molecular test CPT codes. We are now in the fifth month of the year and pathologists are still waiting for an acceptable resolution to this situation. …
Executive War College Sessions Center Upon Three Trends
CEO SUMMARY: There was an interesting blend of anxiety and optimism as a record crowd gathered in New Orleans last week for the 18th annual Executive War College on Laboratory and Pathology Management. The anxiety was rooted in the shrinking prices paid by payers for lab testing services….
Mass Spectrometry, Collaboration Produce Dramatic Results
CEO SUMMARY: When the Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine at the Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, worked with the Pharmacy Services Department, the outcome was a dramatic reduction in the time needed to more accurately identify and treat the pathogens causing gram-negative b…
Standard Bar Code Labels Can Reduce Lab Errors
CEO SUMMARY: Standardization of bar code labels is a concept whose time has come. After implementing CLSI standard AUTO12-A, first-mover clinical labs report fewer specimen identification errors, a reduction of costs associated with specimen handling errors, and a boost in lab productivit…
Medicare Taken to Task about Molecular Test Pricing Method
EDITOR’S NOTE: Submitted by Lâle White, CEO of XIFIN, Inc., of Carlsbad, California, this letter describes the problems caused by the Medicare program’s failure, as of January 1, 2013, to be ready to process and reimburse lab test claims for more than 100 new mo…
March 25, 2013 “Intelligence: Late Breaking Lab News”
Last month, Dignity Health acknowledged that it is engaged in negotiations to sell its lab outreach business that is based in Stockton, California. The lab outreach program is known as HealthCare Clinical Laboratories and is associated with 294-bed St. Joseph…
Lab Copays Announced by California Exchange
CEO SUMMARY: California will operate one of the nation’s largest health insurance benefit exchanges, as defined by the Affordable Care Act. Officials recently unveiled details about the exchange, to be called Covered California. Based on bronze, silver, gold, or platinum plan coverage, …
Cerner Acquires Lab Automation Company
BY NOW, MANY OF YOU HAVE HEARD THE NEWS that Cerner Corporation has acquired Labotix, Inc., the laboratory automation company based in Peterborough, Ontario. That transaction was announced last Monday, March 18. I consider this deal notable because it is an example …
EHR Donation Ruling in WA Raises Questions for Labs
CEO SUMMARY: When the Washington State Attorney General issued an Attorney General Opinion last fall, he created confusion among pathologists and lab directors whose labs have paid to have EHR software installed in physicians’ offices. The Washington AG’s ruling not only conflicts wit…
ACO Numbers Increase, Now Cover 10% of Nation
CEO SUMMARY: A recent report by a consulting firm that tracks the ACO industry indicates that, as of the end of 2012, ACOs of all types involved—in some manner—between 25 and 31 million patients. Moreover, Medicare and private ACOs are located in regions where 45% of the population of…
CURRENT ISSUE
Volume XXXII, No. 13 – September 15, 2025
The Dark Report examines a new bill that would reform PAMA and avoid reimbursement rate cuts scheduled for January 2026. Clinical laboratory leaders are urged to make their voices heard in Congress. Also, an expert describes how labs can fix pre-analytical errors and avoid disaster.
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