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Emerging Diagnostic Technology Assists Clinical Laboratories in Faster, More Accurate Diagnoses

Innovative diagnostic technologies are being launched frequently, often making it difficult for clinical laboratory managers and pathologists to determine which new test has the most valuable clinical output, while simultaneously being able to command an adequate reimbursement by payers.  Additionally, each time a laboratory acquires a new medical laboratory testing capability, it requires substantial effort and funds to research, purchase, train, and educate physicians on the merit of the test.

Two specific areas of medicine that have been positively impacted by such new developments of medical laboratory tests include infectious diseases and oncology.  Rapid molecular testing makes it possible for labs to deliver accurate information back to the referring physician in a few hours, versus a few days for historical microbiology test procedures.  This has assisted in revolutionizing screening for cancers such as leukemia and breast cancer.

Emerging research on the accuracy of colon cancer screening tests suggest that the newer immunochemical screening tests (iFOBTs) that use antibodies to identify human blood in stool are more accurate than older screening tests based on just chemical reactions.

To help determine which medical testing equipment is appropriate to invest your laboratory resources in, and how best to automate your laboratory processes, contact Colaborate for medical laboratory automation consulting.

Clinical Pathology Labs Prepare for Tougher Accreditation and CLIA Compliance

Medical laboratory accreditation and CLIA compliance through the US is getting more difficult.  This trend affects nearly every clinical laboratory and pathology medical group that must be in compliance with CLIA along with meeting the accreditation requirements of the Medicare program.

This is illustrated by the increased number of hospital laboratories that are publicly acknowledging that a recent assessment, inspection or survey came back with serious deficiencies.  Over the past year and a half, two national medical laboratory companies were required to close their doors following a CLIA inspection of lab facilities until the problems were corrected.

We have reported on this national trend over the past few months, and increasing reports show that compliance will continue to be stringent.  To help get your laboratories into audit shape for the new year, contact Colaborate about our regulatory consulting and financial Lab Check Up.

More Medical Lab Testing Anticipated With Growth of "Rapid Clinics"

New rapid clinics, referred to in the industry as retail clinics (RC), are opening up in cities at an increasingly faster rate.  These facilities have proven to be successful due to their increased hours, often open 7 days a week and past the normal 5 pm, their convenience in location, and also their flexibility of seeing patients immediately with no prior appointment required.  They treat common medical conditions including flu symptoms, colds, sore threats, coughs, and sinus infections.

The popularity of this new delivery model of healthcare services has prompted health systems and hospitals to take notice and either open and operate such facilities, or provide clinical staff to existing ones.  Currently at least 1 in 10 of these clinics have a hospital connection, with this number expected to increase.

Health insurance companies are also participating in traditional provider contracts with these types of facilities.  Some employers even go so far as to incentivize employees to use these clinics by waiving the copay.

The combination of the rapid growth and support of these clinics makes it vital for clinical laboratory managers and pathologists to take notice how their labs can become a part of this growth.  It is advised to start making relationships with these retail clinics to be able to provide them with medical laboratory testing support.

For more information on labotatory outreach consulting, contact Colaborate today.

HHS & CMS Propose Rule Giving Patients the Right to Access Pathology Lab Results Online

On September 12th, 2011, the Department of Health & Human Services (HSS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the HSS Office for Civil Rights, released a draft rule mandating that patients are to be granted access to their laboratory test results electronically.  This new rule would override previously standing  CLIA and HIPPA regulations on the matter.

The goal of this proposed rule is to allow the patients to become more informed in their own healthcare, encouraging them to ask more questions and take a more active role. 

Research has shown that up tp 80% of the information in a patient's medical record consists of clinical laboratory results. Many health information exchange (HIE) initiatives point to the sharing of clinical lab test results is a priority, and this new proposed rule follows through on these initiative.

On September 14th, the proposed rule was published in the Federal Register.  From this date, there is a 60 day window available for public feedback on this rule.  Anyone with a vested interest in this industry, including pathologists and clinical laboratory managers, is encouraged to submit their feedback on this rule.


Is your laboratory prepared if such a rule came into effect?  How will you implement these electronic access requirements and still ensure patient confidentiality and information security?

If your organization, whether it be an in-office physician lab or a full service independent laboratory, is struggling with these challenges, contact Colaborate today.  Colaborate is a full service, laboratory and healthcare focused consulting company that can help overcome issues relating to the ever changing healthcare technology requirements.  Whether you need assistance with lab automation, outreach operations, compliance auditing, or a Chargemaster Review, we have the decades of industry expertise to navigate your daily business challenges

Clinical Laboratories and Pathology Groups Should Prepare for RAC Audits

Medicare Recovery Audit Program expands their program in 2011 to include clinical laboratories and pathology groups.  The Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) was created to identify and recover the improper Medicare payments made to heathcare providers.  This means that over the next 12 months, clinical laboratories, pathology groups, and medical laboraties will be seeing RAC auditors for the first time at their organizations.

To date, this has become a very large scale penalty enforcing initiative.  Modern Healthcare magazine reported that in just the first three months of 2011, the RAC had generated over $162 million in recovered funds to the Medicare program.


Colaborate has a team of labotatory and healthcare industry experts available to help you diagnose and remedy all of your potential issues prior to an audit.  In addition, we also offer Chargemaster Reviews, compliance audits, strategic planning, and virtually any other service to assist your laboratory in working to its fullest potential. To get started reviewing your organization, contact us today.

Medicare Patient Co-Pay for Clinical Laboratory Tests Considered in Federal Cost-Cutting Negotiations

A document first leaked by Kaiser Health News last week shed light on some cost-cutting measures being considered in part of the federal debt ceiling negotiations.  Spending cuts over the next 10 years totaling $334 - $353 billion were on the table.

For those in the clinical laboratory industry, some of the proposed cuts would have a direct impact on your operations.  Number 6 on the list of 27 federal healthcare budget cuts is the reinstatement of the Medicare patient co-pay for medical laboratory testing.  This represents an estimated $8.5 to $16 billion dollars of cut government funding for services in your industry over the next 10 years.

In 1988, the laboratory testing industry agreed to lower prices on the lab test fee schedule in exchange for the cutting of the Medicare co-pay requirement.  Since then, the restoration of the co-pay has been considered, but always eventually rejected due to the fact that cost of collecting would often exceed the co-payment itself.


If your organization is concerned about how future federal budget cuts may impact your bottom line, consider other opportunities to increase revenue.  Colaborate is a full-service laboratory consulting company that has decades of expertise in improving the fiscal efficiencies of laboratories.  Typical services include billing management, outreach development, and strategic planning services.  Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your organization overcome ever growing financial challenges.