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R. Lewis Dark:"Actionable Intelligence" In Real Time
Before you read this issue, I would like to make three observations. Each will help you get maximum value from the information contained herein about the trend of in-house anatomic pathology (AP) laboratories in specialist physician groups.
First, The Dark Report's coverage of this trend is unmatched by any other source in the lab industry. Not only are we first to identify the scope and scale of this trend—even as it is gathering momentum in the healthcare marketplace—but we are providing you with facts and analysis that are unavailable from any other single source. This intelligence gives you competitive advantage when crafting your lab's strategy to cope with this trend.
Second, The Dark Report is giving you a front row seat. You are watching a major trend unfold in front of you, in real time. I hope you fully appreciate the business advantage this gives you and your laboratory. Armed with this knowledge, your laboratory has an opportunity to respond to this trend proactively. You can educate your specialist physician clients to the full range of risks, before they hear the siren calls of AP condo laboratory promoters (who are often willing to over-represent and under-disclose to make a sale).
Three, The Dark Report's coverage of this trend, requiring two expanded issues, contains a wealth of unpublished facts and sophisticated analysis that allows you to make your own determination about the impact of this trend on your laboratory. We define this as"actionable intelligence." It is intelligence that arrives before an event and allows you to make an intervention that changes the outcome in positive ways. Again, this is a value-added trait unique to The Dark Report.
I am amazed at what our editor has produced—to give you a competitive edge. He's identified the major promoters behind this trend. He's obtained and published the financial projections used to persuade specialist physicians to invest in an AP lab. He's sharing 12-core prostate biopsy utilization data unavailable anywhere else. He's even managed to get a site visit and photos of an AP laboratory condominium complex. All of this required intense detective work and many hours of effort.
Put this actionable intelligence to good use. Contact your specialist physician clients. Let them read for themselves about this trend. Act decisively to preserve your role as a trusted provider of AP services in your town.
Part II: Path Condo Labs As A Threat to Pathology
In-house anatomic pathology laboratories
enable specialist physicians to profit from AP
CEO SUMMARY: Specialist physician groups are targeting anatomic pathology (AP) as a source of ancillary service revenue. One national laboratory company already considers this trend to be a major threat to its AP business. Here is Part II of The Dark Report's coverage of this unfolding trend, including exclusive intelligence about the financial projections used by promoters to attract the investment dollars of specialty docs.
LabCorp's Smith Speaks On New Pathology Trend
In-house anatomic pathology laboratories
may prove a compliance trap for specialist docs
CEO SUMMARY: During the past decade, Laboratory Corporation of America's Brad Smith faced the spear point of evolving Medicare/Medicaid compliance initiatives which changed so many laboratory industry business practices. Smith believes that business models for in-house anatomic pathology labs now being offered to specialist physician groups fail to meet important Medicare compliance criteria.
Of Congress and the OIG: Speedy Action Ahead?
Rapidly-accelerating trend could boomerang
and bring the wrath of OIG investigators
CEO SUMMARY: During the short life of AP laboratory condominium complexes, they have attracted the interest of both an influential Senator and the Office of the Inspector General (OIG). Last month, Senator Charles E. Grassley sent a letter to the OIG requesting that it investigate the AP lab condo scheme and report its findings to him. Earlier this year, a national AP company requested an opinion from the OIG on AP ventures.
Peeking Into Finances Of Pathology Lab Condos
"Bare bones" revenue and expense projections
are used to sway specialist physicians
CEO SUMMARY: In the possession of The Dark Report is a copy of revenue and expense projections shown by a pathology condo laboratory complex promoter to prospective urology groups. They project that even smaller urology groups can realize worthwhile income if they invest in a pathology condo lab and operate it successfully. This is validated by other financial projections done by a veteran laboratory executive.
Pathology Marketplace: Pathology Consultants See
In-House AP Trend Unfolding
AP Test Over-Utilization Will Be One Achilles' Heel
12-core prostate biopsies may quickly
attract attention of federal investigators
CEO SUMMARY: Over-utilization is likely to be a prime concern when federal healthcare enforcers eventually investigate in-house anatomic pathology laboratories owned by specialist physicians. Some in-house pathology condo lab promoters are basing financial performance on 100% utilization of 12-core prostate biopsies. That significantly exceeds current clinical practices, as the numbers below demonstrate.
Exposed: Who Created Path Lab Condo Scheme
Urologists in Florida and Texas are
progenitors and promoters of this ploy
CEO SUMMARY: It wasn't pathologists and it wasn't laboratory executives who started this scheme. Anatomic pathology condominium laboratory complexes were conceived by urologists in Florida. Some Texas urologists jumped on the bandwagon early, becoming enthusiastic promoters of the scheme to other specialist physicians. That's why Florida and Texas are the hotbed states for this movement.
Visit To A Path Condo Lab:"You Are Not Welcome"
Our visit to an AP lab condo complex
demonstrates its secretive nature
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