Attention Pathologists and Clinical Laboratory Professionals: New ‘Sunshine Act’ Requirements Will Track and Publish Financial Relationships Providers Have with Healthcare Vendors

Jan 13, 2014 | Coding, Billing, and Collections, Compliance, Legal, and Malpractice, Laboratory News, Laboratory Operations, Laboratory Pathology, Managed Care Contracts & Payer Reimbursement

Some physicians fear disclosure of payments by drug and medical device companies could damage patient confidence and physician-patient relationships Over the course of 2014, pathologists and medical laboratory managers will experience a different relationship with in vitro diagnostic (IVD) manufacturers and other lab industry vendors. That’s because a new federal law requires vendors to publicly disclose financial and other arrangements they have with providers. That law is the Physician...

Vanderbilt University Medical Center Forms Nation’s Largest Clinically Integrated Network that includes Its Own Health Insurance Offering

Jul 8, 2013 | Coding, Billing, and Collections, Digital Pathology, Instruments & Equipment, Laboratory Hiring & Human Resources, Laboratory Management and Operations, Laboratory News, Laboratory Sales and Marketing, News From Dark Daily

Clinically integrated networks is one market trend in response to shift away from fee-for-service payment and toward value-based provider reimbursement One fast-developing trend is that of academic centers forming integrated networks with various providers within a community and a surrounding region. This is related to a movement to establish accountable care organizations (ACOs). But it is also a response to actions by payers to narrow their networks and exclude high-cost providers, such as...

New Guidelines for Working Medical Residents Would Add $1.6 Billion Annually

Jul 17, 2009 | Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology

Goal is to improve patient safety and health outcomes, but who is going to pay? Pathologists are aware of the ongoing debate about the overwork of medical residents, who traditionally worked 100 or more hours per week. Medical experts regularly point out how overworking medical residents may result in fatigue-related adverse events that negatively affect patient safety. These adverse events cost teaching hospitals money in additional care and/or malpractice claims. Now comes a new report...

New IOM Report Calls for Tougher Rules on Physician Relations with the Medical Industry

Jul 15, 2009 | Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology

Goal is to address conflict of interest in clinical studies and CME programs Each year, clinical laboratories and laboratory medicine associations receive less financial support from industry vendors and suppliers. This is a response to tougher Medicare compliance requirements and tighter ethics guidelines. Now comes a report from the Institute of Medicine calling for further reforms on how companies work with physicians to conduct clinical trials and publicize the findings. The IOM...