Year’s Top 10 Lab Stories Contain Surprises & Twists

By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXX, Number 18 – December 26, 2023 Issue

CEO SUMMARY: With the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic now in the rearview mirror of the nation’s clinical labs and pathology groups, the important news stories of 2023 were mostly about developments where the consequences will influence laboratory operations in coming years. Artificial intelligence…

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Whole Genome Sequencing for Newborns Gains Favor

By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXX, Number 16 – November 13, 2023 Issue

CEO SUMMARY: Evidence is swiftly accumulating that use of rapid Whole Genome Sequencing (rWGS) for certain children in NICUs can enable diagnostic insights that guide effective interventions. Further, these pilot rWGS programs in childrens’ hospitals are showing a solid return on invest…

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January 14, 2019 Intelligence: Late Breaking Lab News

By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXVI No. 1 – January 14, 2019 Issue

Up to 10,000 patients will get free genetic testing at Northwell Health, the nation’s largest urban health network. In a deal announced on Jan. 9, Northwell Health and Color, a genetic testing company, will collaborate on a program to offer geneti…

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In Florida, More Tests Added to UHC’s Decision-Support Program

By Joseph Burns | From the Volume XXV No. 1 – January 2, 2018 Issue

IN THE FIRST BROAD EXPANSION OF ITS pilot decision-support program for clinical lab testing in Florida, UnitedHealthcare (UHC) will add genetic and molecular tests, drug tests, and pathology procedures, among other assays starting in two months. On March 1, UHC will expand its labor…

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Health System Lab Is Genotyping To Identify Best Drugs for Patients

By Joseph Burns | From the Volume XXIV No. 2 – January 30, 2017 Issue

CEO SUMMARY: One essential element of precision medicine will be the regular use of pharmacogenomic testing to provide additional guidance to physicians when selecting the most appropriate therapeutics and optimal dose for each individual patient. Despite the reluctance of private payers …

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China Invests $9 Billion In Precision Medicine

By Joseph Burns | From the Volume XXIV No. 1 – January 9, 2017 Issue

CEO SUMMARY: In the 1960s, it was a race to be first in space between the United States and the Soviet Union. This decade, it’s a race to be first in genetic and precision medicine between the U.S. and China. To that end, the Chinese government has budgeted $9 billion as an investment t…

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Gene Testing Lab Goes ‘Cold Turkey,’ Stops Billing Health Plans

By Joseph Burns | From the Volume XXIII No. 6 – May 2, 2016 Issue

CEO SUMMARY: Last year, Kailos Genetics stopped collecting third-party payment, dropped its prices sharply, and started marketing its genetic-screening tests directly to consumers and physicians. At the time, 100% of its revenue came from third-party payers. Today, it gets 100% of its rev…

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How to Cover Genetic Tests Confounds Health Insurers

By Joseph Burns | From the Volume XXIII No. 5 – April 11, 2016 Issue

CEO SUMMARY: Managed care experts say health insurers are being overwhelmed by the number of new genetic tests and that many labs find it tough to get paid for these tests. UnitedHealthcare just announced it will require pre-authorization of molecular and genetic tests during 2016. Me…

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February 29, 2016 Intelligence: Late Breaking Lab News

By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXIII No. 3 – February 29, 2016 Issue

Sandy, Utah-based Sure Genomics is the latest genetic testing company to get a letter from the Food and Drug Administration asking why the company is marketing its SureDNA genetic testing kit to consumers without first obtaining clearance from the federal agency. Th…

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January 19, 2016 Intelligence: Late Breaking Lab News

By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXIII, No. 1 – January 19, 2016 Issue

Sakura Finetek USA, Inc., announced on January 5 that it had acquired 100% of the stock of GeneMed Biotechnologies Inc., of South San Francisco, California, along with its “tissue-based advanced staining business for cancer detection, diagnosis, and monitoring.”…

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